Can I charge my EV from solar in Perth?
The short answer
Yes. A car is a large load you can choose when to run, so it can charge from midday solar that would otherwise be exported for as little as 2c/kWh. That gives a bigger array a clear job. The real question is a system one: more solar, a battery, or both, depending on when the car is home to charge.
Can I charge my EV from my solar panels?
Yes. A smart charger can follow your surplus solar, so the car takes power the house isn't using instead of it going to the grid. Ask for solar-aware charging when you get quoted. It only works while the car is plugged in during the day, so it suits homes where the car is often parked at home.
The State Government publishes an approved list of smart-charger hardware and software, worth checking before you choose one.
Do I need a dedicated charger, or will a power point do?
A standard power point works but is slow: about 10 to 15 km of range an hour, against the 33 km or so an average Australian drives each day. Your Home advises a dedicated circuit for regular charging. A 7 kW charger adds about 30 to 40 km an hour and can follow your solar or a cheap window.
Plug straight into the power point, never through an extension lead or power board. A dedicated charger must be installed by a licensed electrician.
Is there a Synergy plan for charging an EV?
Yes. Synergy's EV Add-On is a time-of-use plan with four periods, including a cheap 9am to 3pm window and an overnight window. It needs an Advanced Meter. Its 3pm to 9pm peak rate is higher than the standard Home Plan, so it only pays off if the car and the house both stay off the peak.
| Period | Hours | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Super off-peak | 9am to 3pm | 8.85c/kWh |
| Peak | 3pm to 9pm | 55.33c/kWh |
| Off-peak | 9pm to 11pm and 6am to 9am | 24.34c/kWh |
| Overnight | 11pm to 6am | below off-peak |
| Home Plan (A1), for comparison | All day | 33.26c/kWh |
Rates as at 1 July 2026, including GST. Check the current overnight rate with Synergy before you switch.
When is the cheapest time to charge an EV in Perth?
With solar, the cheapest charge is your own surplus in the middle of the day. From the grid, the 9am to 3pm super off-peak window on the EV Add-On or Midday Saver plan is cheapest, with overnight next. The 3pm to 9pm peak is the window to avoid. Set the charger or the car to those times.
The EV owner scenario models a Perth household fitting EV charging around a home battery.
Should I get more solar or a battery for an EV?
If the car is home in daylight, size the solar up first: it charges from surplus sun for almost nothing. If it mostly charges after dark, a battery or the EV Add-On's overnight window does that work. It can be staged: the solar first, then the battery once you see how you charge.
Our suggested starting point
Tell the installer how far you drive and when the car is home. That decides whether the money goes into panels, battery or both, and the sizing guide explains how a planned EV feeds into the size.
Will I need a switchboard or supply upgrade for a charger?
Sometimes. An electrician checks your wiring capacity first, and most homes won't need more than 15 amps for charging. Three-phase power allows faster AC charging, up to 22 kW, but the car's own on-board charger sets the real limit, and some accept only 7 kW. Cost it alongside the solar installation.
The grid connection guide covers the Western Power side: connection approval and export limits.
Can my EV power my house in a blackout?
Only with the right car and charger. Vehicle-to-home lets a compatible EV feed the house, but very few EVs sold in Australia have that capability confirmed by the manufacturer, and using it without confirmation may affect the battery warranty. Check the owner's manual and warranty before counting on it.
For blackout cover today, a home battery wired for backup is the proven route. See blackouts and batteries and the EV as a home battery.
Size the solar for the car
Tell us about your home and an installer from our network that covers your area gives you a free, no-obligation quote. Mention the EV and when it charges.
Sources
- Synergy, Electric Vehicle Add-On, checked 9 June 2026
- Synergy, Synergy price changes 2026, checked 10 June 2026
- energy.gov.au, How to charge your electric vehicle, checked 10 June 2026
- WA Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, Preparing for your new EV, checked 12 June 2026
- Your Home (DCCEEW), Transport, checked 9 June 2026
- energy.gov.au, Vehicle-to-everything opportunities, checked 11 June 2026
- Synergy, Distributed Energy Buyback Scheme, checked 9 June 2026