A portable EV charger (granny charger) adds around 80–100km of range overnight from a standard power point, enough for most daily drivers.racv.com.auView source greenvehicleguide.gov.auView source The charger itself is safe. The outlet it plugs into is where the real decision and the real risk live.
A healthy, dedicated 10A socket on a sound circuit handles overnight charging fine. An extension cord, a worn socket, or old shared wiring does not.
Granny chargers come in three amperage tiers, and the outlet, not the charger, is the deciding factor
A portable EV charger (technically an EVSE, or Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) is a Mode 2 charging cable. It has a domestic power point on one end, a Type 2 EV connector on the other, and a plastic control box in the middle. That box is the IC-CPD (In-Cable Control and Protection Device). It handles overcurrent, ground fault, and DC leakage protection in line with the international Mode 2 cable standard. In Australia, every portable EV charger sold legally must carry the Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM) under AS/NZS 4417.1 and AS/NZS 4417.2. Look for the mark on the housing before you buy.eess.gov.auView source
"Granny charger" is the nickname for the 10A version. It plugs into a standard 3-pin power point. There are three tiers. The one you choose depends on what outlet you have, or are willing to install.
In the US, drivers talk about Level 1 and Level 2 charging. Australia uses Mode 2 (portable cable, any domestic GPO) and Mode 3 (fixed wallbox, dedicated circuit) instead. The Mode 2 portable is roughly the AU equivalent of US Level 1. It's the plug-anywhere option.
The 10A granny charger works from any standard 3-pin socket, no install needed
The 10A tier plugs straight into any standard 3-pin GPO, the same socket your toaster uses. No outlet upgrade needed; no licensed electrician required to set it up. At 240V × 10A, the rated output is 2.4kW.greenvehicleguide.gov.auView source That translates to roughly 10–12km of driving range per hour.racv.com.auView source Overnight, across 8 hours, you get around 80–100km.
One thing to know about "10A" in practice: some IC-CPDs cap at 8A continuous (about 1.84kW) rather than drawing the full 10A.renew.org.auView source That's a deliberate safety choice: 80% of socket capacity leaves thermal headroom. One reviewed AU product, the EVSE Mini, caps at 8A and still counts as a 10A-plug unit. If a charger says "10A plug" but lists 1.84kW output, that's why.
Indicative prices for 10A portables sit in the $220–$280 range as at June 2026.inchargex.com.auView source renew.org.auView source Hardware prices change, so check current listings before you buy.
A 15A portable adds roughly 50% more range overnight, but needs a licensed outlet install
A 15A portable EV charger draws from a 15A industrial outlet. That's the 5-pin socket you see in workshops and garages. At 240V × 15A, the output is up to 3.5kW.depow.com.auView source evshome.com.auView source That's roughly 18–20km per hour. Overnight, it adds about 140–160km, meaningfully more than a 10A charger.
The catch: you need the right outlet. If your garage only has a 3-pin GPO, you'll need a licensed electrician to install a 15A socket first. That's a real job, not a DIY task in Australia. For what a 15A outlet installation involves, see the dedicated page.
Prices for 15A portables overlap heavily with the 10A tier. Expect around $220–$350 as at June 2026 (indicative).depow.com.auView source evshome.com.auView source The hardware is not the main call; the outlet install is.
32A portable: near-wallbox speed, but it needs a licensed install
The 32A tier delivers around 7kW, the same power as a standard wallbox.inchargex.com.auView source But the socket it needs (a 32A industrial outlet) does not exist in a standard Australian home. A licensed electrician must install a dedicated 32A circuit. In practice, if you're already getting a 32A circuit installed, a fixed wallbox is often the better choice.
The 32A portable makes sense in a narrow set of situations, such as renting a property where a wallbox cannot be permanently mounted but the landlord permits a dedicated circuit. For most people evaluating whether a portable charger is enough, the 10A and 15A tiers are the real options.
10A vs 15A vs 32A portable EV charger: side by side
The three tiers share one pattern: the outlet, not the charger hardware, is the controlling variable. Every other column flows from that.
| 10A portablegranny charger | 15A portablerenter upgrade | 32A portablenear-wallbox | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power output | ~2kW (2.4kW max; some IC-CPDs cap at 8A / ~1.84kW) | ~3.5kW | ~7kW |
| Range added per hour | ~10–12km | ~18–20km (derived: 3.5kW ÷ typical EV efficiency) | ~35–40km |
| Plug / outlet needed | Standard 3-pin 10A GPO (no install needed) | 15A industrial outlet (5-pin), licensed electrician install required | 32A dedicated circuit, licensed electrician install required |
| Indicative unit price (as at June 2026) | $220–$280 | $220–$350 | $350–$650+ |
| Who it suits | Renters with a garage GPO; <50km/day drivers; travel backup | Renters who can get a 15A outlet installed; 50–100km/day drivers | Situations where a wallbox cannot be permanently fixed but a 32A circuit is available |
Prices are indicative as at June 2026 and move with retail stock; check current listings. Speed figures are derived from rated kW output and typical AU EV efficiency (~5–7km/kWh). A licensed electrician confirms the outlet and circuit requirements for your home.
A granny charger is safe if the socket is dedicated, healthy, and direct-plugged
The IC-CPD box in your charging cable handles safety at the device level. It includes DC and AC leakage protection in line with the international Mode 2 cable standard. It must also carry the RCM mark to be sold in Australia.eess.gov.auView source What the IC-CPD does not cover is the socket itself overheating from an all-night load.
Here's the physics: a standard 10A GPO in Australia is rated at 2,400 watts continuous (240V × 10A).greenvehicleguide.gov.auView source Overnight EV charging draws near that ceiling for 8–12 hours straight. Most domestic appliances (a kettle, a toaster) cycle on for minutes. An EV charger runs all night. A healthy socket on a sound, dedicated circuit handles this without issue. Problems arise from worn or loose contacts, where resistance builds up and generates heat. Extension cords add resistance at every joint. Old wiring not built for sustained loads is also a risk. So is a shared circuit with other high-draw appliances.
The conservative position: routine overnight charging from a dedicated, healthy 10A socket is fine. Caution applies to old wiring, non-dedicated sockets, and extension cords. Some IC-CPD units cap at 8A rather than the full 10A, exactly this principle built into the product.renew.org.auView source
A licensed electrician can inspect your outlet and confirm it's right for overnight EV charging. Get one in if your garage socket shows heat marks, is on a shared circuit, or is reached via an extension cord.
Check these four things before overnight charging starts
You can do most of this yourself. For any doubt, a licensed electrician is the right call.
RCM mark on the charger housing. Look for it before using any portable EV charger. An uncertified device (especially one from an overseas seller) has not been tested to Australian standards.eess.gov.auView source No mark means don't use it.
Plug directly into the wall. No extension cords. No multi-boards. Every joint in the cable run adds resistance; for an overnight load that runs 8–12 hours, that resistance matters.
Check the socket condition. A discoloured face plate, a loose plug, or a socket that gets warm after use: any of these is a reason to stop. Get an electrician to inspect before you continue.
If in doubt, call an electrician. A 15A outlet installation gives you a cleaner, higher-capacity charging point. It removes any doubt about the socket, and is especially useful in an older garage or a rental.
Portable, 15A outlet, or wallbox: what each actually adds overnight
Speed is the main variable. A 10A portable adds around 10–12km per hour; a 15A outlet and matching portable adds roughly 18–20km; a 7kW wallbox adds 35–40km.racv.com.auView source For a 30–50km daily driver, any of the three covers you overnight. The gap matters at higher mileage or with a large battery.
Cost is the other variable. The portable charger hardware is similar across tiers, around $220–$350 (indicative, as at June 2026).inchargex.com.auView source depow.com.auView source The difference is the outlet. A standard 10A GPO needs no installation. A 15A outlet costs extra, as a licensed electrician installs it as a separate job. A 7kW wallbox on a dedicated circuit is a significantly larger investment. See the cost widget below for a current estimate of EV charger installation in your area.
Portable EV chargers don't have scheduling or solar-diversion features. They're dumb chargers: plug in and they run. If smart features matter to you (solar surplus charging, off-peak scheduling), a fixed wallbox is the right call. See the 7kW vs 22kW wallbox guide for that comparison.
One more thing: the 15A outlet install is a popular first step for renters who want more speed without committing to a full wallbox. It's often the sensible middle ground.
Renters and short-commute drivers are the right fit. High-mileage drivers aren't.
A portable charger is the right call in three situations. Renters with a garage are the primary use case: a 10A portable plugs into an existing GPO with no landlord permission needed, and it covers a 30–50km daily commute charged overnight without issue.racv.com.auView source Emergency and travel use is a second strong case: keep a portable in the boot and any power point becomes a fallback. Low-mileage city drivers covering less than 60–70km a day with overnight parking at home can run on a 10A portable without feeling short.
Who shouldn't rely on a 10A portable alone: high-mileage drivers covering more than 100km a day will hit the limit.racv.com.auView source greenvehicleguide.gov.auView source A 10A charger adds roughly 80–100km over 8 hours at 10–12km per hour. If you regularly need more than that, the maths don't work. Large-battery vehicles (over 80kWh) need many hours to recover from a partial charge. A 10A charger may not keep pace with daily use. And anyone without a dedicated socket is in a riskier position. A shared circuit or extension cord path warrants upgrading, not just tolerating.
For the full step-by-step charging process once you've sorted the hardware, see how to charge your EV at home.
What does a 15A outlet installation cost?
If a portable charger on an existing socket isn't enough, a 15A outlet install is the next step. Here's what it typically costs in your area.
Common questions
Yes. A standard 10A power point delivers around 2.4kW, enough to add roughly 80–100km of range overnight. The charger must carry the RCM mark, and plug straight into the wall (no extension cords). For most daily drivers, that's enough.
The charger is designed for safe use. It must carry Australia's RCM mark and has built-in DC and AC leakage protection. The risk lives in what it plugs into: a standard 10A socket is rated around 2.4kW continuous, and overnight charging draws near that for hours. A worn socket, an extension cord, or old shared wiring under that sustained load is where problems arise. A healthy, dedicated socket in good shape is fine.
Three things. First, check the RCM mark: if it's not on the housing, don't buy it. Second, match the plug to your outlet. A 10A portable uses a standard 3-pin GPO; a 15A portable needs a 15A industrial socket. Third, know your daily driving distance. At ~10–12km per hour, a 10A charger covers most city drivers overnight. High-mileage drivers or large-battery vehicles may need a 15A outlet or a wallbox.
If you have a standard 3-pin GPO in the garage, start with a 10A portable, no install needed. If you drive 60–100km a day and can get a 15A outlet installed, you get noticeably more range overnight (~140–160km vs ~80–100km). The hardware cost is similar either way. The real question is whether the outlet install is worth it for your daily distance.
In Australia, portable EV chargers retail for roughly $220–$350 (indicative, as at June 2026) across the 10A and 15A tiers. The 32A tier adds more. Prices shift, so treat these as a guide and check current listings before you buy. The hardware is usually the smaller cost. The outlet install is often the bigger number.
Only if you choose a 15A portable charger. A 10A portable plugs into any standard 3-pin power point. A 15A portable needs a 15A heavy-duty socket, which a licensed electrician must install. The 15A outlet gives you ~3.5kW vs ~2.4kW, about 50% more range per overnight charge.
Get a wallbox when your daily driving tops 80–100km. Also if you have a large-battery vehicle (over 80kWh) you need to recover quickly, or if you want smart features like solar diversion or off-peak scheduling. A 7kW wallbox adds 35–40km per hour, three to four times the speed of a 10A portable. It needs a dedicated circuit and a licensed electrician to install it.
Ready to upgrade your home charging setup?
See a fair-price estimate for a 15A outlet or EV charger installation in your area, then get quotes from vetted local electricians. A licensed installer will confirm what your existing wiring can take and recommend the right setup for your home.
Sources
General information only, not a substitute for advice from a licensed electrician. Safety and compliance assessments for your home must be confirmed by a licensed tradesperson.
- racv.com.auView source
- greenvehicleguide.gov.auView source
- eess.gov.auView source
- renew.org.auView source
- inchargex.com.auView source
- depow.com.auView source
- evshome.com.auView source
- x-car.com.auView source