Eight EVs worth your money this year, and the home charger that actually suits each one. Written for Perth driveways by the electricians who wire them.
Australia has never had this much electric choice. Five years ago the shortlist was a Tesla and not much else. In 2026 you can walk into a dealership in Osborne Park and drive out in a 500km family SUV for less than a mid spec petrol Prado, and there are eight or nine genuinely good options fighting over the same buyer.
Choosing the car is the easy part. The part almost every new owner underestimates is charging it properly at home. We install chargers across the Perth metro every week, from Joondalup down to Rockingham and Mandurah, and the same conversation keeps happening: the car turned up, the supplied granny lead is adding 10km an hour, and now there is a scramble to get a real charger on the wall.
A good EV with a bad charging setup feels like a compromise. A modest EV with the right charger on the wall feels effortless. The charger is the cheaper half of that equation and it is the half people think about last.
The 2026 shortlist at a glance
Prices are indicative drive away ranges and move constantly. Range figures are WLTP, so expect roughly 10 to 15 percent less in real Perth driving with the air conditioning working in February.
Still the car that sets the standard in Australia. The Model Y is not the plushest thing in the class and the ride can be firm on Perth's patched suburban roads, but nothing else combines this much efficiency, boot space, software polish and charging network in one package. The refreshed model fixed most of the interior gripes.
Range
455 to 550km
Battery
60 to 79kWh
AC charging
11kW three phase
What we like
Best in class efficiency, which means genuinely cheap running costs
Supercharger access for the Albany and Esperance runs
Huge boot plus a frunk, and a flat load floor
Software and app that still feel a generation ahead
What we do not
Firm ride on 20 inch wheels
Touchscreen only controls take a fortnight to learn
Resale values have moved around more than owners would like
Who should buy it: Families doing 250km or more a week who want zero drama and the widest fast charging coverage in WA.
Candela installation recommendation
Tesla Wall Connector. It is the cleanest visual match, handles 11kW on three phase, and load shares across two units if a second Tesla joins the household.
Geely EX5
Geely EX5
Value family SUV
The EX5 arrived quietly and then started appearing in every second new estate driveway. It is roomy, well equipped, comfortable, and priced where a mid spec petrol RAV4 sits. The LFP battery is happy being charged to 100 percent daily, which suits home charging perfectly.
Range
410 to 430km
Battery
60.2kWh LFP
AC charging
11kW three phase
What we like
Enormous equipment list for the money
LFP chemistry, so daily 100 percent charging is fine
Genuinely comfortable ride, well judged for Australian roads
Rear seat and boot space that embarrasses more expensive rivals
What we do not
Software is functional rather than slick
DC fast charging peaks are modest
Brand is new here, so long term resale is unproven
Who should buy it: First time EV buyers who want space and kit without stretching past $45k.
Candela installation recommendation
A myenergi Zappi if you have solar, an Ocular IQ if you do not. Both handle the EX5's 11kW three phase intake and give you scheduling from an app.
Kia EV5
Practical family hauler
Kia built the EV5 around real families rather than around a spec sheet. Square body, big glass, proper door bins, physical climate controls and a seven year warranty. It drives with the quiet competence Kia has become very good at, and the long range version covers a Perth to Margaret River run without stopping.
Range
400 to 500km
Battery
64.2 to 88.1kWh
AC charging
11kW three phase
What we like
Seven year unlimited kilometre warranty
Cabin packaging is the best in the segment
Vehicle to load, so it powers tools or a camp fridge
Local suspension tuning that suits WA roads
What we do not
Not as efficient as the Model Y
Standard range version is only adequate on highway runs
Styling is divisive
Who should buy it: Families with kids, prams, dogs and a camping trailer.
Candela installation recommendation
Zappi 7.4kW single phase for most homes, or 22kW three phase if the property already has it. Vehicle to load owners appreciate the Zappi's solar diversion for topping up mid afternoon.
BYD Atto 3
City and suburban commuting
The car that made electric normal in Australia. The Atto 3 is quirky inside, soft riding, and utterly painless to live with. Its Blade LFP battery is one of the most durable packs on the market, and the 7kW onboard charger limit means a single phase home install is all it will ever use.
Range
345 to 420km
Battery
49.9 to 60.5kWh
AC charging
7kW single phase
What we like
Blade LFP battery, excellent longevity and thermal stability
Cheap to buy and cheap to service
Comfortable, quiet suburban ride
Vehicle to load on most variants
What we do not
Only 7kW AC, so three phase is wasted on it
Efficiency drops noticeably on the freeway
Cabin design is an acquired taste
Who should buy it: Commuters doing under 60km a day who charge at home every night.
Candela installation recommendation
A single phase 7.4kW charger is the correct spend. Anything larger cannot be used by the car. We fit a lot of BYD wallboxes and Zappis to Atto 3 households.
MG S5 EV
MG S5 EV
Sharp value with a decent drive
MG replaced the ageing ZS EV with something far better resolved. The S5 rides and steers with actual polish, the interior finally feels like it belongs in 2026, and the long range version quietly delivers close to 480km. It undercuts almost everything with similar range.
Range
340 to 480km
Battery
49 to 62kWh
AC charging
11kW three phase
What we like
Long range version offers rare range per dollar
Rear wheel drive chassis feels tidy
Ten year warranty on selected variants
Compact enough for Fremantle and Subiaco parking
What we do not
Infotainment menus need patience
Base battery is short on highway range
Interior plastics still betray the price point
Who should buy it: Value hunters who still care how a car drives.
Candela installation recommendation
Ocular IQ or Wallbox Pulsar Plus. Both are compact, app controlled, and support the S5's 11kW three phase capability where the property has it.
Deepal S07
Deepal S07
Long range on a budget
A big battery in a mid size SUV for mid size money. The S07 is the pick if you want range without a premium badge, and the rear wheel drive layout gives it a settled highway gait. The catch is the 7kW AC limit, which makes home charging slower than the battery size suggests.
Range
445 to 475km
Battery
79.97kWh
AC charging
7kW single phase
What we like
Close to 80kWh of usable battery at this price
Comfortable, quiet highway cruiser
Strong standard equipment including vehicle to load
What we do not
7kW AC only, so a big battery takes a long overnight
Service network is still growing in WA
Some driver assist systems are over eager
Who should buy it: Regional drivers and anyone doing frequent Perth to Bunbury or Geraldton runs.
Candela installation recommendation
A 7.4kW single phase unit on a dedicated circuit, scheduled to run the full off peak window. Sizing the cable correctly matters here because the car will pull maximum current for eight hours straight.
Leapmotor C10
Leapmotor C10
Quiet, comfortable family cruising
The C10 is the surprise of the segment. Stellantis backed distribution, a genuinely serene cabin, soft damping and a big LFP pack. It is not fast and it is not sporty, but as a calm suburban family car it is very hard to fault at the money.
Range
400 to 420km
Battery
69.9kWh LFP
AC charging
11kW three phase
What we like
Excellent noise isolation and ride comfort
LFP pack suits daily full charging
Backed by Stellantis dealer support in Australia
What we do not
Modest performance and slow DC peaks
Screen led interior with few physical buttons
Efficiency is average
Who should buy it: Buyers who value comfort and quiet over outright pace.
Candela installation recommendation
Zappi 7.4kW paired with solar. The C10's LFP pack loves a slow daytime solar top up, and the Zappi's eco modes are made for exactly that.
GAC Aion V
GAC Aion V
Range per dollar
GAC came in late and led with range. The Aion V posts some of the highest WLTP numbers under $50k and pairs them with fast DC charging, which is unusual at this price. Interior quality is decent, the drive is soft, and the warranty is competitive.
Range
430 to 510km
Battery
62 to 75.3kWh
AC charging
11kW three phase
What we like
Class leading range for the price
Strong DC fast charging peaks
Roomy back seat
What we do not
Brand awareness and resale are unknowns
Ride is floaty at highway speed
Service footprint in WA is small for now
Who should buy it: High kilometre drivers chasing the cheapest possible cost per kilometre.
Candela installation recommendation
Ocular IQ on three phase where available, otherwise a 7.4kW Zappi. With a battery this size, off peak scheduling makes a real difference to the bill.
Buying an EV in Perth? Read this before delivery day
Perth is close to the ideal EV city. Distances are short, driveways are wide, garages are common, and we have the best rooftop solar penetration in the country. A few local realities are worth planning around.
Summer changes the maths
A closed Perth garage in February sits well above ambient. Chargers are rated for it, but heat derating is real on cheap units, and a west facing brick wall in full afternoon sun is the worst place to mount one. We site chargers on shaded walls wherever the cable run allows, and we leave clearance for airflow.
Solar is the whole point
With WA feed in tariffs where they are, exporting surplus solar is worth far less than putting it in your car. A solar aware charger like the Zappi watches your export meter and only pushes surplus into the battery, which is how owners get their charging cost close to zero on a sunny weekend. If you have panels, the charger choice is not really a choice.
Single phase or three phase
Most established Perth homes are single phase. That gives you 7.4kW, roughly 40km of range per hour, which refills a typical 60km commute in under two hours. Newer estates in Ellenbrook, Baldivis and parts of Alkimos often have three phase already at the meter, which unlocks 11kW or 22kW. If your car only accepts 7kW like the Atto 3 or Deepal S07, three phase buys you nothing.
What it actually costs to run
On a Synergy EV plan with overnight off peak rates, a full charge on a 60kWh car is a few dollars. Charged from surplus solar it is effectively free. Compare that with a petrol SUV covering the same 300km and the gap over a year is the reason most people never look back.
Public charging is a backup, not a plan
The WA network is good and getting better, and the Electric Highway makes Albany and Esperance genuinely easy. But queuing at a Cockburn charger every Sunday is a miserable way to own an EV, and per kWh it costs several times more than charging at home overnight. Treat DC fast charging as a road trip tool.
Every EV sold new in Australia uses a Type 2 socket, so any of these will charge any of the cars above. The differences are solar handling, app quality, reliability in heat, and how they look on the wall.
Tesla Wall Connector
Power
Up to 22kW three phase
Solar
Basic, via car side scheduling
App
Excellent inside the Tesla app
Warranty
4 years
Best for: Tesla households, and anyone who wants the tidiest looking wall unit made
Candela Electrical Services is a Perth based electrical contractor (EC 15317) specialising in EV charging, solar integration and premium residential and commercial electrical work. We are licensed WA electricians, a Tesla approved installer, and manufacturer certified across myenergi, Ocular, Wallbox and BYD. Every recommendation here comes out of jobs we have actually wired, not a spec sheet.
Licensed WA electricians, EC 15317
Tesla approved and manufacturer certified installers
Fixed price quotes, no variations after the site check
Residential, strata and commercial installs across the Perth metro
Frequently asked questions
What is the best EV in Australia right now?
For most buyers the Tesla Model Y remains the benchmark on software, efficiency and resale, but the Geely EX5, Kia EV5 and BYD Atto 3 all undercut it heavily and cover the same family SUV brief. The best EV is the one that matches your weekly kilometres, your garage layout and your budget.
Which electric car has the best range in Australia?
In the mainstream segment the long range Tesla Model Y and Deepal S07 sit at the top of the real world range table, both comfortably clearing 450km in mixed driving. Range matters far less once you charge at home overnight, because you start every day full.
Can I charge every EV with the same charger?
Yes. Every EV sold new in Australia uses a Type 2 AC socket, so a Type 2 wall charger works across Tesla, BYD, Kia, Geely, MG, Deepal, Leapmotor and GAC. What changes is the onboard charger limit in the car, which sets how fast it can actually accept power.
Should I install a charger before my EV is delivered?
Ideally yes. Delivery dates move, electricians book out, and living on a granny lead for a month is the fastest way to sour a new car. We aim to have the charger commissioned and app paired in the week before handover.
Do I need three phase power for an EV charger?
No. A single phase 7.4kW charger adds roughly 40km of range per hour, which refills almost any Perth commute overnight. Three phase 11kW or 22kW is worth it if you have three phase already, drive very high kilometres, or run two EVs.
How much does EV charger installation cost in Perth?
A straightforward single phase install in a modern Perth home with the switchboard in the garage typically lands between $1,400 and $1,800 all in. Three phase, long cable runs or switchboard upgrades push it higher. We quote fixed price after seeing your switchboard photos.
Anywhere in the Perth metro
Buying one of these EVs?
We will recommend the correct charger for your car and your roof, inspect your switchboard from a couple of photos, and give you a fixed price quote. From Joondalup to Fremantle, Rockingham and Mandurah.
