Melbourne to Phillip Island in an EV
Melbourne to Phillip Island is about 141 km on the Monash Freeway and Bass Highway, around 2 hours of driving. There are 2 fast-charging stops along the way, and the longest gap between chargers is 61 km (Highway stop to Grantville). 266 of the 266 EV versions we track can do it, most with no charging stops. 212 of them can get there and back on one charge. There are 2 fast-charger sites near Cowes for the trip home.
Can your car do it?
Uses highway range: about 75% of the claimed range at 100–110 km/h. Leave home full, fast charge to 80% and arrive with at least 10%. Charging costs assume home power for the first battery and 70c/kWh at fast chargers. Driving the same trip in a typical petrol SUV costs about $25.00 in fuel.
Fast-charging stops on the way
In order from Melbourne, with the gap from the previous stop.
| Stop | From Melbourne | Gap |
|---|---|---|
| MelbournePlenty of fast chargers | 0 km | |
| Highway stopEvie, Exploren, Jolt, Chargefox, Tesla | 41 km | 41 km |
| GrantvilleChargefox | 102 km | 61 km |
| Cowes2 fast-charger sites nearby | 141 km | 39 km |
* Tesla Superchargers: many are open to all EVs through the Tesla app, but some are Tesla-only. We leave Tesla-only stops out of the plan for other cars. Power is the fastest charger listed at that stop, where known.
Route map
Green dots are fast-charging stops; grey are Tesla-only; orange are EV-friendly places to stay. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors.
EV-friendly places to stay
Caravan parks and campsites along the way with an EV charger at the park or within a short walk (350 m), in order from Melbourne. Chargers at parks are often for guests only and may be slower than a fast charger, so check with the park when you book.
From OpenStreetMap, which volunteers keep up to date, so some parks with chargers may be missing. NRMA Parks and Resorts has also added chargers at many of its parks. No charger? Most parks let you charge slowly from a powered site with your own portable charger. Ask first, as some charge extra.
Tips for this trip
- Check chargers before you go. Chargers do break down or get busy, especially on holiday weekends. The PlugShare app shows recent check-ins from other drivers.
- Charge to 80%, not 100%. Fast charging slows right down above 80%, so two short stops are usually quicker than one long one.
- Speed costs range. At 110 km/h most EVs use 20–30% more energy than their claimed figure. Dropping to 100 km/h on the longest gap gives you a buffer.
- Have two networks' apps ready. Most stops have more than one network, so if one charger is down you can use another.
- Towing or a full load can halve your range. Plan stops about half as far apart.
More road trips from Victoria
✓ You now know
- Every EV we track can do it, most without stopping to charge.
- Charge to 80% rather than 100%, and have a second network's app ready in case a charger is down.
More: checklist, calculators, questions and more guides
EV road trip checklist
Apps and accounts, cables, planning your charging stops with a backup, and what to do on the day. One A4 page.
Calculators for this
Common questions
Can you drive melbourne to Phillip Island in an EV?
Yes. There are 2 fast-charging stops along the 141 km route, and the longest gap is 61 km. Most EVs need no charging stops.
How much does it cost to drive melbourne to Phillip Island in an EV?
About $9 in charging for a typical mid-size electric SUV, using Victoria home power prices for the first battery and fast chargers after that. A petrol SUV would use about $25.00 in fuel.
Which charging networks are on this route?
Chargefox, Evie, Exploren, Jolt, Tesla. Many stops have more than one network.
More guides
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How we work it out, and our sources
Weekly cost = the car's energy use × 250 km × your electricity or fuel price, with 90% of charging at home. Prices are list prices at November 2026; check with the dealer.
- Electricity: 2026–27 default rates (AER, Victorian Default Offer, state retailers). Public charging: Sydney network prices, July 2026.
- Petrol and diesel: ACCC capital-city averages, 21 October 2026.
- Cars: maker figures via CarExpert, Drive, CarsGuide and EV Central. Plug-in electric range is taken as 80% of the claim.
- Servicing: published capped prices; marked as an estimate where not yet published (CarExpert comparison).
- Tyres: an EV set lasts about 35,000 km, a petrol or hybrid set 50,000 km (RACV); prices from Gridly.
- Home charger: about $2,000 installed ($1,000–$3,000). Novated leases: PwC summary.
Printed from EV Pick · evpick.com.au. Prices and costs are estimates; check with the dealer. © 2026 EV Pick (T. Crouch). For personal use only; not to be copied, republished or sold without permission.