Are you a Queenslander looking to make the switch to an electric vehicle? While the car is the exciting part, figuring out how to feed it at home can be a bit of a technical maze.
In Queensland, our electricity network is unique. Unlike some other states or countries, we have specific rules - governed by the Queensland Electricity Connection Manual (QECM) - that dictate how you can connect high-power appliances like EV chargers to single-phase homes.
Choosing a charger isn't just about speed. It's also about how the charger talks to the grid. Check out our recent video, where we explored a real-world example of a Logan home that achieved high-speed 32A charging on a single-phase supply.
Here is the breakdown of your single-phase EV charging options in QLD.
The 20A Threshold
First, it's important to understand that according to QECM clauses 8.10 and 8.14.2.2, any EV charging equipment rated above 20A must have "Active Device Management" in place. This is a safeguard for the grid to prevent transformers from overloading during peak times.
Because of this rule, your options fall into three categories.
OPTION 1
10A / 15A EV Charger Into Power Point
This is the simplest way to charge. It involves connecting your EV charger to a power point on your primary household tariff.
This is suitable for people who drive less than 50km a day and can leave the car plugged in overnight for top ups.
This is an attractive option for low-level charging: no specialised charger installation is required as you can just buy a 10A / 15A charger online and plug it into your power point. However, it is the slowest way to charge your EV.
OPTION 2
20A EV Charger
A 32A EV charger (7kW EV charger), downrated to a 20A charger by the electrician to comply with Energex, is the standard charging method for the majority of electric vehicle owners. This offers the sweet spot for many EV owners and is sufficient for regular EV use applications.
20A EV chargers are significantly faster than power point 10A / 15A chargers, but they avoid the complexity and cost of network-managed hardware.
For single-phase homes in QLD, a 20A EV charger is usually a sufficient choice.
OPTION 3
32A EV Charger
If you want the fastest possible single-phase charge (roughly 7kW), you're looking at a 32A unit. Unlike option 2, there are ways to bypass the 20A downrate if your electrician installs the charger in one of three arrangements. These arrangements are compliant with QLD regulations.
1. Economy Tariff (via a network device)
This is the tried and true method, with economy (or load control) tariffs having been available for years.
You can connect your 32A EV charger to an economy tariff (like T33 or Controlled Load 2), the same way you might have a pool pump, hot water system, or ducted air conditioning set up.
The benefit to this method is that you'll get a cheaper electricity rate, but your power is controlled by a network device. It may be switched off during peak periods, typically between 4pm - 9pm.
This is a good option if you don't have solar and want the cheapest overnight rates to charge your EV.
Read more: Peak vs off-peak power in Australia
2. Primary Tariff with Basic Active Management (via a network device relay)
This is a popular choice if you have solar panels. A network device (relay) is required to permit this arrangement.
Your EV charger will remain on your primary tariff, allowing you to charge directly from your solar power during the day. However, Energex retains the right to turn off the circuit supplying the charger during extreme peak demand or network stress - usually for short windows in the evening.
This option can be expensive and requires an electrical contractor to audit your home's electrical infrastructure to determine viability. But, if you're looking to maximise charging from solar during the day or take advantage of time-of-use tariffs, then this option is available to you.
Read more: Pros and cons of solar energy
3. Primary Tariff with Dynamic Connection
A dynamic connection allows two-way communication between your charger and the grid. It requires the installation of a dynamic EV charger (of which there aren't many available yet in Australia).
With this option, the network can signal your charger to temporarily throttle its capacity, rather than cutting power completely. It also permits your EV charger to remain on your primary tariff, allowing you to charge the EV with solar or time-of-use tariffs.
Installing a single-phase EV charger in QLD isn't just about hardware and speed - a lot of your charger's capability will come down to how it is connected to the network. If you want to see a 32A connection in action, you can watch our YouTube video here where we look at a real-life example in Brisbane's western suburbs.
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Single-Phase EV Charger Options