The surprising new place selling EV chargers

Yesterday at 02:00 PM

There are quite literally thousands, possibly even hundreds of thousands of products available to buy at homeware megastore Bunnings – but did you know an electric car charger is now one of them?

In fact, there are roughly 25 EV chargers you can buy at Bunnings, ranging in price from $469 to $1895, with a growing list of stores in every state and territory except the Northern Territory also now offering a subcontracted installation service too starting from $699. 

Tesla's Type 2 charger costs $800 from the retailer, which also sells just the cables from around $150.

RELATED: 'We've copped some hate': The Melbourne tradies battling EV charging woes

Not all of the options available online, however, can be bought in-store or in every state. 

According to SolarQuotes, a company that compiles quotes for solar, batteries or EV chargers for homes and businesses, last month there were some chargers on sale at Bunnings that were not compliant with the Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) – which is legally required to install in South Australia, with other states set to follow in the near future.

As a result, the retailer told SolarQuotes the Arlec and DETA EV chargers are not offered for sale in South Australia – though they can still be bought online.

But is it a good thing or not? 

Bunnings selling EV chargers is good for uptake

Julie Delvecchio, chief executive of the Electric Vehicle Council, says it's “fantastic… a trusted Australian brand is selling EV chargers”.

“This reflects what we are seeing more broadly, EV sales in Australia reached an all-time high in 2024, accounting for nearly one-in-10 new vehicles sold in Australia. So it makes sense that there is demand for EV chargers in-store,” she told Drive.

“Whether you’re a family ferrying kids around the suburbs or a tradie going about your jobs, there are more models available today to suit different drivers.

“Like many other products sold in-store, like ovens or light switches, some types of EV chargers must be installed by a qualified electrician.”

Toby Batters-Holding, a Melbourne electrician who co-owns one of Australia's first mobile EV charging businesses, says it is a good thing for EV uptake, but also recognises there are some risks involved with chargers being sold off the shelf.

“I think it's probably a good thing for uptake, although there are a lot of retailers already and there are only going to be more going forward,” he told us.

“People who don’t even think about it might even just see them there, and I guess it puts it in the mainstream. 

“But I think probably the main thing Bunnings should focus on is things like extension leads, adapters, individual connectors, and even hooks and cable management. To me, that’s probably more the market they should focus on – and I imagine they would be probably the main things people would go there for.”

Is it a good idea to buy an EV charger from Bunnings?

Every EV charger display at Bunnings comes with a warning label telling customers they will need qualified installation; however, there's no guarantee anyone buying one wouldn't just try to install it themselves.

Asked whether it was a concern people could go to Bunnings and buy an EV charger and attempt to fit it themselves – which should never be done, electrical work like this should always be carried out by a qualified electrician – Batters-Holding said there's always a risk.

“Anyone could have a go at that and potentially that could be dangerous, but I guess it’s inevitable, isn’t it? It’s always going to happen,” he said. 

“Realistically, I think you just rely on people to do the right thing, and in fairness, you can jump straight onto any website and pretty much pick one up and have it delivered. 

“There are regulations and things in place, but unfortunately, if people don’t respect them, then that’s on them. EV chargers being sold at Bunnings is not inherently more dangerous than anything else, such as if someone tries to fit their own air conditioner or anything like that.

“I think like anything, you get what you pay for. If you are going to go to Bunnings and buy the absolute cheapest charger you can get off the shelf, you’re going to get what you pay for.”

Ohme, the largest EV charging company in the UK, which also launched in Australia last year, said providers working with major retailers like Bunnings is nothing unusual – it works with Currys, an electrical appliances retailer in the UK, as its official EV charging partner – but did strongly advise people not to attempt installation themselves at home.

“At Ohme we would never suggest that somebody installs their own home EV charger,” said Bradley White from Ohme Australia. 

“We always recommend that our home EV chargers are installed by either an approved installer or qualified electrician. Not doing so could invalidate the warranty on the charger itself and has the potential for introducing numerous other risks to your home too.”

“At Bunnings, we are focused on providing our customers the widest range of products and services to build, maintain and renovate their home or worksite,” a spokesperson told Drive.

“Our customers’ needs and wants are constantly evolving, and so does our offer. EVs are the fastest-growing vehicle type in Australia and New Zealand, so our offer of EV chargers and accessories has been developed to support our customers to easily and conveniently access both portable and fixed EV chargers, accessories and installation solutions.

“Our customer base includes both DIYers and trades, and so our offer reflects that, with many DIYable solutions available as well as those requiring qualified installation.”

What you can buy depends on where you live

The DIY store notes on its website that it requires builders' licences and security licences in certain circumstances, outlining the required documentation needed in South Australia, Queensland and New South Wales.

While the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), the product safety regulator for Australia, didn’t have any explicit concerns, it said it was up to the states to monitor the safety of electric products.

“Different government agencies are responsible for monitoring and regulating the safety of specific products, including electrical products. Commonwealth, state and territory consumer protection agencies cover general consumer products that don’t fit into specific categories,” an ACCC spokesperson told us.

“When a product doesn't easily come under a specialist regulator's responsibility, agencies will work together to find the best way to manage its safety.”

Additionally, guidance on choosing the right EV charger for your home/office, car or situation is available via the Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action here.

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