Bunnings Now ‘Selling’ Tesla Powerwalls and EV Chargers—But Are You Really Buying?

What’s Next—Picking Up a Tesla Battery with Your Sausage Sizzle?

Alright, let’s ask the burning question: Can you actually walk into Bunnings, toss a Tesla Powerwall in your trolley, and stroll to the checkout?

Spoiler alert—no. Not unless you’re trying to put your lower back out, because these 120-kilo batteries don’t exactly fit in a trolley.

But let’s clarify: Bunnings isn’t selling Powerwalls like it does pot plants and paint cans. They’re using that space as a clever lead generator to connect you with certified installers for a Tesla battery system or EV charger.

What’s the Deal, Exactly at Bunnings?

Here’s the rundown: Tesla and Bunnings have partnered up so that you, the customer, can learn about the Tesla Powerwall 3 in the Bunnings store or on their website, sign up to request a quote, and get hooked up with up to 3 authorised installers that then give you individual prices. 

Bunnings appear to have set the Recommended Retail Price above what many installers usually charge for a Tesla Powerwall 3, so I am not sure how Bunnings claims to offer the lowest price in Australia or otherwise, they give you a further 10% off, below the lowest price could work. But time will tell.

Obviously such a pricing policy will cause less pain for Tesla with their distributors and direct purchasers of the Tesla Powerwall products.  

So this battery purchase isn’t exactly as instant as Bunnings’ usual “grab and go” experience, but it’s aiming for a bit of convenience and peace of mind, supposedly removing the DIY guesswork from sourcing a reliable installer.

It also gives Tesla a new window of exposure to the end consumer, even though Tesla is possibly the one brand in the energy space, that does not need much more exposure. Just think of the Trump election and Elon’s role. 

So right now the hardware store is playing the middleman, promising a smooth path to purchase with a certified installation team so that it all feels a bit more familiar, less complicated, and ideally, not like you’re getting ripped off. However, are there really pros to buying a Powerwall this way, or are the DIY pros better off going directly to a local installer?

The Pros of Going Through Bunnings

“Bunnings offers a familiar brand and trusted installers to guide you through the Tesla Powerwall journey.”

1. Trusted Brand, Trusted Installers

In a market where you can easily get burned by fly-by-night cheap solar installers, Tesla tried to create less exposure to this risk of the industry by creating a Tesla-certified group of installers. It is expected that the recommended installers for the Bunning experience come from this pool of Tesla Certified Installers.  

Now that another major brand like Bunnings backs the install this partnership does carry some weight.

Bunnings is vouching for these certified installers, which gives a bit of security that you’re getting quality service. Plus, Bunnings has a reputation to uphold, and they’re not about to risk it by pairing you with someone dodgy.

It’s the difference between Bunnings and, well, some random online ad promising you a “Tesla-compatible battery” or a letter in your mail, promising to “Go bill free on a 2 kWh battery.”

2. One-Stop Shopping, Sort of

If you’re already in Bunnings for your standard Sunday project run, the option to learn about the Powerwall and get a quote while you’re there makes the process feel, if not effortless, at least less intimidating.

Going solar or buying a home battery usually means dealing with a dozen different websites, quotes, and sales calls.

Bunnings is stepping in to simplify things—or at least make it feel simpler.

This of course only applies if there is a person with knowledge in every Bunnings store – otherwise it could all become a bit of a fizzle. 

And let’s remember the aim of Ikea to start selling solar or Harvey Norman and Jim’s solar and the Mark Group.

I even remember as far back as 2007, I was communicating with Bunning on behalf of a big country wide solar installer with not to beat web presence, a kind of partnership , all of which ended in the too hard basket. 

3. Clear Pricing (Mostly)

Bunnings has a reputation for transparent pricing. They know Australians aren’t keen on haggling or hidden fees, so they’re setting clear expectations around cost from the get-go.

When you’re dealing with a purchase as major as a home battery, upfront pricing can mean peace of mind that you’re not getting stung with any sneaky “installation extras.”

This could be a big draw for customers who’ve felt burned by traditional installers adding on unexpected fees. Except that the retail price as per our early investigation has a 16 in front, so it’s not a usual Bunnings Bargain, but lets see what the final number turns out to be. 

And here’s the Catch…

Now, for the other side of the coin. There’s more to consider here than meets the eye—just because it’s in Bunnings doesn’t mean it’s as straightforward as a bag of mulch.

You’re Not Buying the Powerwall at Bunnings, You’re making them money as a  Lead

Bunnings may have Tesla gear splashed across their marketing, but the Powerwall isn’t actually a Bunnings product. They’re just the go-between, like a tech-savvy matchmaker. The reality is, that once you’ve expressed interest, you’re off to talk to the installation company, which does the actual deal-closing and heavy lifting. This disconnect might seem minor, but it does mean the process could take longer than the average Bunnings transaction.

And since the installers handle the pricing and logistics, any “Bunnings deal” is essentially a suggestion, not a guarantee, for a smooth ride, at least initially, till some maybe cowboy installers have been removed after a few customer complaints (Note – vetting will seldom be perfect).

No Instant Gratification

For anyone used to Bunnings’ classic “I-need-it-now” approach, the Tesla Powerwall process could be a bit of a shock. There’s no “grab and go” with a home battery. Once you’ve decided to take the plunge, you’re in for a multi-step process involving permits, certified technicians, and potentially weeks of waiting for stock. It’s a sharp contrast to the usual Bunnings experience, where you load up your ute and crack into your project the same day. Here, your Powerwall experience will feel more like applying for a loan.

Cost Isn’t for the Faint-Hearted

Let’s not mince words: a Powerwall can feel expensive, especially when compared to the price of a solar system. Yes, batteries have many advantages and our grid looks like getting less stable – at least in the interim, and the FITs can turn negative – so these are all good arguments for a battery, but it’s still a bit of a coin in a cost of living crisis. The Powerwall 2 with installation used to run you around the $14,000 mark, and that’s if you already have solar panels installed. Otherwise, you’re looking at an even larger investment. Powerwall 3 is actually a bit more than Powerwall 2 as it has the inverter inbuilt, and also as PW 3 can not retrofit, it is really only the new solar system purchasers that will be the target audience, and everyone is chasing those.

So while Bunnings might provide transparency and some peace of mind, this isn’t a “special” or a “bargain”—it’s just a channel through which you can buy a relatively pricey piece of tech.

And with costs like that, you might be better off doing some serious comparison shopping before you commit and end up with another battery brand like a Sungrow, Enphase, Solaredge or Sigenergy, that offer more functions, home integration or less costs.

Who’s This Really For?

So, who’s the ideal Bunnings-Tesla customer? If you’re the type who likes the comfort of a known brand but doesn’t want to deal with the headache of multiple installer quotes, by unvetted installers and questions about who’s certified to drill holes in your wall, this setup could be right up your alley.

But if you’re a more hands-on, price-savvy shopper, this setup might feel like an unnecessary middleman in the process. You could find yourself spending more time or paying slightly more for a service, which is really just one of the ways to get the job done.

Can This Change the Australian Energy Market?

Having the public exposed to a real battery in a touch-and-see environment is definitely a good thing for the industry and Tesla has been a trailblazer for EV and battery adoption in the past – so from that perspective,  good on you. 

But there’s also a bit of audacity here in what Bunnings is attempting. The Powerwall represents a big leap in renewable energy adoption, but it’s still a niche product. For everyday Aussies, a Powerwall in every home is a long way off, except if the Australian Government one day decides to create an NRN-style battery company for every household. 

It is of course interesting to see Bunnings is betting on a shift toward normalising this tech as part of the household ecosystem. Maybe they know something via the lobby meeting with energy ministers, that we are not aware of. 

The more accessible solar tech becomes, the closer we get to seeing home batteries move from futuristic to familiar. If this effort succeeds, it could mean a massive shift toward energy independence for thousands of Australian homes, freeing people from the rollercoaster of grid pricing.

The Final Verdict

Is a Tesla Powerwall from Bunnings worth it? Well, that depends on your priorities.

If you want ease, the comfort of a familiar brand, and the feeling that you’ve ticked off a box on your sustainability list, then this setup is a solid option. But if you’re someone who wants to make every dollar count, you might find the added “convenience” is a bit overpriced. After all, this isn’t a BBQ you’re buying on a whim—it’s a multi-thousand-dollar commitment that might require a bit more homework than a Bunnings aisle stroll.

If you are a solar and battery retailer who just obtained your Tesla Certified status, you might wonder what this all means.

For now, it’s hard not to appreciate the novelty: popping down to Bunnings and leaving with a Tesla Powerwall… or at least the promise of one. So, next time you’re at Bunnings, you might just swing past the energy section and think, “Why not?” It’s the start of a less energy retailer-dependent way of life, and maybe in another six months, you get the Tesla car at the same counter.