Maybe you’ve looked at petrol prices, taken an EV for a test drive, or checked one out online. The thought of avoiding petrol stations sounds great. But there’s still a big question: if you live in an apartment, how do city drivers charge their EVs?
It’s not just about road trips—it’s about daily life. What if your battery is low on a weeknight and you need the car the next morning? Will there be a charger nearby? Will it work? Do you need a special card, app, or cable?
PSC Energy installs EV chargers across Australia, including in apartments and strata buildings. We get this question from city residents all the time. The good news is that public EV charging has grown fast, and many city drivers use it daily.
In this article, you’ll learn about the following:
- How Public EV Charging Works in Australia
- The Main Public Charging Networks in Australia
- Can Non-Tesla Owners Use Tesla Superchargers?
- The Essential Kit for Public EV Charging in Australia
- Does Fast Charging Damage Your EV Battery?
- What If Your Apartment Could Have a Charger?
- FAQ: Public EV Charging in Australia
By the end of this article, we’ll explain how it works, the types of public chargers, main networks, costs, what equipment you’ll need, and tips for keeping your battery healthy.
How Public EV Charging Works in Australia
There are two main types of public charging stations in Australia. Knowing the difference will help you plan your charging routine.
Level 2 — AC Charging
Level 2 chargers use 230V alternating current, the same as your home power supply. You’ll find them in shopping centre car parks, council parking areas, hotels, and workplaces.
- Charging speed: 7 to 22 kW
- Typical charge time: several hours, depending on your battery size and how empty it is.
- Cost: $0.30 to $0.50 per kWh
- Cable: most stations require you to bring your own.
These chargers are ideal for topping up your battery during the day when you’re parked for a few hours. They aren’t the fastest for charging an empty battery, but they’re easy to find and cost-effective.
Level 3 — DC Fast Charging
Level 3 chargers send direct current straight to your battery, bypassing the car’s onboard charger. That’s why they can charge your car so quickly.
- Charging speed: 25 to 350 kW
- Typical charge time: as little as 30 minutes for a meaningful top-up.
- Cost: $0.60 to $0.85 per kWh
- Cable: built into the charger, so you don’t need to bring your own.
Level 3 chargers are best when you need a quick charge. They cost more per kWh and can cause your battery to wear out a little faster over time. We’ll explain this more later.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about public charging stations, you might want to check out the following article titled, Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Guide 2026.
The Main Public Charging Networks in Australia
There are several networks running public EV charging stations across Australia. Each one has its own pricing, coverage, and app requirements.
Chargefox is widely considered the most affordable public charging network in Australia. You access chargers through the Chargefox app, and pricing varies slightly by location and speed.
Evie Networks focuses on DC fast charging and has built strong coverage in urban areas and along major highways. Pricing sits in the mid-range of the public charging market.
BP Pulse and Ampol AmpCharge both have fast chargers at service stations. These are good for drivers who want familiar, easy-to-find charging stops.
Tesla Superchargers form the largest and most reliable DC fast charging network in Australia. Coverage is strong in cities and along major routes. Pricing sits at the higher end, but the experience is consistently good.
PlugShare is a useful app to have before you need it. It’s free and shows all nearby public chargers, with real-time availability and user reviews. It’s smart to download it before you buy your EV.
Can Non-Tesla Owners Use Tesla Superchargers?
Yes, with some conditions. Tesla has opened some Supercharger stations to non-Tesla vehicles in Australia, and the number is growing.
Here’s how to access them if you don’t drive a Tesla:
- Download the Tesla app and create an account.
- Search for Supercharger stations marked as open to all vehicles.
- Plug in using the CCS2 connector, which most modern EVs use.
For pricing, non-Tesla owners pay $0.85 per kWh by default. With a Tesla membership at $9.99 per month, the rate drops to $0.70 per kWh, which is the same as Tesla owners pay. Whether the membership is worth it depends on how often you use Superchargers.
It’s also good to know the difference between charger generations.
V2 Superchargers deliver 40 to 120 kW, but charging speed can slow down if several cars are plugged in at once.
V3 Superchargers deliver up to 250 kW and give each car its own power supply, so you always get the fastest speed, no matter how many cars are charging.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about charging your EV from solar, you might want to check out the following article titled, Considerations for Charging Your Electric Vehicles with Solar.
The Essential Kit for Public EV Charging in Australia
If you use public charging in the city, having a few key tools will make things easier. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Type 2 to Type 2 charging cable (3-phase): Most Level 2 public stations need you to bring your own cable. The 3-phase version is about $20 more than the single-phase, but it lets you charge at full speed at any Level 2 station. Keep one in your boot.
- PlugShare app: This app shows all nearby chargers, live status, and reliability ratings from other drivers. It helps you plan your day and find a backup if your first choice isn’t available.
- Network apps: Download Chargefox, Evie, and Tesla apps before you need them. Some stations accept credit cards, but having the app ready will save you time at the charger.
- Type 1 to Type 2 adaptor (optional): Some older public stations still use Type 1 plugs, and these chargers are often free. An adaptor costs about $150. It’s not essential, but it lets you use a few extra chargers that others might miss.
Does Fast Charging Damage Your EV Battery?
Many city EV owners worry about this, so it’s important to give a clear answer.
Yes, using Level 3 DC fast charging regularly can cause your battery to wear out a bit faster than slower AC charging. The main reason is heat. DC fast charging creates more heat inside the battery, and heat is the main cause of long-term battery wear.
However, this effect happens slowly and can be managed. Here’s what the evidence shows:
- Using fast chargers a few times a week produces a small, slow impact on battery health.
- Using fast chargers as your only charging method, every day, for many years, will reduce battery capacity faster than a mix of speeds would.
- Most EV manufacturers design their batteries to handle regular fast charging and include thermal management systems that actively limit heat damage.
For city drivers, the best approach is simple. Use Level 2 charging when you have time, like during daytime parking, at work, or while shopping. Use Level 3 fast chargers for quick top-ups. This mix keeps your battery healthy without making charging a hassle.
What If Your Apartment Could Have a Charger?
Public charging is a normal part of daily life for city EV owners, but apartment residents have more options as well.
Some buildings already have EV charging in their car parks, and many more could add it with the right planning. Here’s what’s involved in installing a charger in a strata building:
- Strata approval: You need a strata committee vote for shared infrastructure. Most states have laws that make it harder for strata bodies to block reasonable EV charging requests, so this is more achievable than it used to be.
- Power capacity: The building’s electrical supply needs to support the additional load. A licensed electrician assesses this before any installation goes ahead.
- Individual billing: Smart chargers can measure usage per resident, so each person pays only for the power they use. This removes the main objection strata committees raise about shared costs.
- ReadySteadyPlug (NSW): This is a smart Level 1 system built specifically for strata car parks. It uses standard 10A or 15A power points fitted with smart metering and billing. Charging speed is 2.4 to 3.6 kW, delivering 100 to 200 km of range overnight. It costs roughly 80% less to roll out than a full Level 2 install and avoids most of the strata approval complications that come with a hardwired system.
If you live in an apartment and want to purchase an EV, you might want to check out the following article titled, ReadySteadyPlug EV Charging for Apartments In NSW.
Wrapping Up: Your City, Your Range.
Owning an EV in the city isn’t as complicated as it might seem. Public EV charging in Australia has improved so much that city drivers, even without home charging, can set up a reliable and affordable routine.
If you want to stop thinking about charging every day, home charging in an apartment or strata building is more achievable than most people think. PSC Energy works with city residents and strata committees to make EV charging possible where it wasn’t before. Contact PSC Energy today to see what’s possible for your building. It’s what we do.
If you’re interested in learning more about EV chargers, you might want to check out this guide titled, The 10 Best Home EV Chargers in Australia.
FAQ: Public EV Charging in Australia
How much does public EV charging cost in Australia?
The cost depends on the charger type and the network. Level 2 AC chargers cost $0.30 to $0.50 per kWh. Level 3 DC fast chargers cost $0.60 to $0.85 per kWh. Tesla Superchargers charge $0.85 per kWh without a membership, or $0.70 per kWh with the $ 9.99-per-month Tesla membership.
Where can I find public EV charging stations near me?
The PlugShare app is the best tool for this. It maps all public charging stations with real-time availability and reliability ratings from other drivers. Network apps like Chargefox also include station finders. Download both before you need them.
Do I need to bring my own cable to a public EV charger?
For Level 2 AC stations, yes, you usually need a Type 2-to-Type 2 cable. Get the 3-phase version and keep it in your boot. Level 3 DC fast chargers have cables built in, so you don’t need to bring anything.
Can I use a Tesla Supercharger if I don’t own a Tesla?
Yes, at selected stations. Download the Tesla app, create an account, and find Supercharger stations marked as open to all vehicles. You connect via the CCS2 plug. Without a membership, you pay $0.85 per kWh. A $ 9.99-per-month Tesla membership reduces that to $0.70 per kWh.
Is it possible to get an EV charger installed in an apartment building?
Yes. Strata buildings can install EV charging with committee approval and an electrical capacity assessment. In NSW, ReadySteadyPlug offers a smart Level 1 solution that costs roughly 80% less than a full Level 2 rollout and is designed specifically for strata car parks.
Does frequent use of public fast chargers damage your EV battery?
Frequent DC fast charging does wear out your battery a bit faster than slower AC charging, mainly because of the heat it creates. The effect is slow. Mixing Level 2 and Level 3 charging, using slow charging when you have time and fast charging when you need it, is the best way to keep your battery healthy in the long run.
