EV home charging rate 2026-27: 5.47c per km
The ATO EV home charging rate is 5.47c per km from 1 April 2026 for fringe benefits tax and from 1 July 2026 (the 2026-27 income year) for income tax, up from 4.20c. Practical Compliance Guideline PCG 2024/2 sets it so you can value the electricity used to charge an electric car at home without working out your actual home electricity costs. For income tax it works with the logbook method only, because the cents per km rate already includes electricity.
Which cars and years the rate covers
The rate applies to zero emissions vehicles, a battery electric Tesla included, from 1 April 2022 for FBT and from 1 July 2022 for income tax. Plug-in hybrids can use it from 1 April 2024 (FBT) and 1 July 2024 (income tax) through a separate method based on petrol kilometres. You choose between the rate and actual costs per vehicle, for a whole FBT year or income year. Odometer records must cover the FBT year to 31 March or the income year to 30 June.
From 4.20c to 5.47c per km
Up to and including the 2025-26 income year, and for the FBT years starting 1 April 2022 to 1 April 2025, the rate was 4.20c per km. The ATO amended Table 2 of PCG 2024/2 on 25 March 2026: 5.47c per km now applies from the FBT year starting 1 April 2026 and from the 2026-27 income year. According to the guideline, the new figure reflects the 40 best-selling EVs from July 2021 to June 2025, their Green Vehicle Guide energy consumption and AEMC electricity prices for 2025-26. The FBT and income tax start dates differ because the FBT year runs from 1 April to 31 March and the income year from 1 July to 30 June.
How to calculate the home charging deduction
Multiply the total kilometres of the car in the income year by the share of charging done at home and by the rate. When the car does not report a home charging share, use 100%. Your income tax deduction is that home charging cost multiplied by your business-use percentage from a valid logbook. For 2026-27, a Tesla driven 18,000 km, charged 80% at home and used 40% for business gives 18,000 x 80% x $0.0547 = $787.68 of home charging, and $787.68 x 40% = $315.07 deductible. ATO examples follow the same formula, such as 10,000 km x 75% x 5.47c = $410.25 for the FBT year from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027.
Superchargers and other commercial charging
Receipts for commercial charging, such as Tesla Superchargers, can be added to the home rate only when the car reports the share of charging done at each location (PCG 2024/2, paragraph 28). Without that share, you pick one approach for the year: the home rate, leaving commercial receipts out, or your actual charging costs, backed by electricity bills and the method used to isolate the car's share.
What the rate does not combine with
The home charging rate cannot be used with the cents per km method. That method's 91c rate for 2026-27 already covers every running cost of the car, electricity included, so nothing is added for charging. To claim actual costs, home charging at 5.47c per km included, you need the logbook method: a logbook of at least 12 continuous weeks, the business-use percentage it produces, and records of the other expenses.
Company cars, novated leases and FBT
For an employer-provided EV, the rate values home charging in the FBT operating cost method and in employee contributions. In PCG 2024/2 Example 6, an employee pays for home charging over 27,037 km, a contribution of 27,037 x 4.20c = $1,135 that reduces the taxable value under the statutory formula: $60,000 x 20% x 274/365 - $1,135 = $7,873. An electric car exempt from FBT still needs that value for the employee's reportable fringe benefits amount. Under the operating cost method, PCG 2024/2 Example 7 gives $11,800 of operating costs x 25% private use - $1,135 = $1,815, and that method requires a valid logbook kept for at least 12 continuous weeks.
Sources
- PCG 2024/2 Electric vehicle home charging rate (Table 2 amended 25 March 2026) Australian Taxation Office
- Fringe benefits tax rates and thresholds, updated 20 May 2026 Australian Taxation Office
- Electric cars exemption, updated 1 April 2026 Australian Taxation Office
- Logbook method (individuals), updated 12 June 2026 Australian Taxation Office
- Cents per kilometre method (individuals), updated 12 August 2026 Australian Taxation Office
FAQ
Can I use the 5.47c rate with the cents per km method?+
No. The cents per km rate, 91c in 2026-27, already includes electricity. For income tax, the home charging rate only works with the logbook method.
Which home charging rate applies to a 2025-26 tax return?+
4.20c per km. The 5.47c rate starts with the 2026-27 income year on 1 July 2026, and with the FBT year that began on 1 April 2026.
Do I need a logbook to use the home charging rate?+
Yes for income tax, because the rate only works with the logbook method. Under FBT, the operating cost method needs a logbook, and an employee contribution under the statutory formula method needs only odometer records. Every case needs odometer records showing the car's total kilometres for the year.
Can I add Supercharger receipts to the home charging rate?+
Only when the car reports the share of charging done at home. Without that share, you choose the home rate alone or your actual charging costs for the whole year.
The home charging rate turns kilometres into a charging cost, so the year's total kilometres and a valid logbook carry the claim. Odoproof records every trip and odometer reading from your Tesla automatically. Start your 7-day free trial today.
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