How much does it cost to charge an electric car?

With the increasing spread of electric vehicles, the question of the cost of charging is becoming increasingly important for drivers. How much does it actually cost to charge your e-car? What factors influence these costs? How can you optimize your charging spend? With the help of our comprehensive guide, you can understand all aspects of the cost of charging an EV and drive with peace of mind while keeping your budget under control.

The different charging methods

There are different methods to charge your electric car and each has its advantages and disadvantages. We want to introduce them in detail so that you can make the best choice.

Charging at home or at work 🏠

One of the most common and practical methods is to charge your EV at home or at work. This allows you to charge your car every day without having to drive to a public charging station.

Advantages:

• Economical: Charging at home is usually cheaper. The price of electricity at home can be particularly cheap at off-peak times compared to public charging stations (approx. €0.13/kWh in March 2023 at EDF Vert Électrique Auto).
• Practical: Charging at home or at work is convenient: you can charge your vehicle overnight or during working hours.
• Flexible: You can schedule charging at the most convenient times thanks to built-in scheduling systems.
  
  

Disadvantages:

• Loading: This is often longer with a standard household socket or a wallbox (wall charging station used to charge electric vehicles at home or in companies).
• Historical cost: Installing a home charging station can be costly, even if there are grants and subsidies.
• Limited capacity: The charging power is usually lower than that of public fast-charging stations.
  
  

Public charging stations (AC) 🌍

Public charging (AC) stations are widely available and are a practical solution for EV drivers who do not have access to a charging station at home or at work.

Advantages:

• Accessibility: They can be found in urban areas, shopping malls, public parking lots, etc.
• Modularity: There are various connection options that can be used to charge different electric car models.
• Variable prices: Some operators offer competitive prices, especially for longer charging times.
  
  

Disadvantages:

• Pricing: The cost can be higher than charging at home, with prices varying depending on the operator and location. At the end of 2023, Avere-France estimated that an EV driver who travels 11,000 km per year "can expect to spend an average of 8.87 to 18 euros per month to charge their vehicle at publicly accessible charging stations".
• Loading: Charging processes are slower than at DC charging stations.
• Availability: In high-traffic areas, it is sometimes more difficult to find an available charging station.
  
  

Public fast charging stations (DC) ⚡

Fast charging stations (DC) are designed to provide fast and efficient charging. They are particularly suitable for long journeys and short stops.

Advantages:

• Speed: These charging stations charge 80% of the battery in 15 to 30 minutes.
• Power: They have a high power (up to 350 kW), which significantly reduces the charging time.
• Practical: They are often located on motorways and main roads.
  
  

Disadvantages:

• High costs: More expensive than AC and home charging stations (according to a Qovoltis study, charging at a fast charging station (250 kW) on the motorway costs around €10.60 compared to €5.30 at home).
• Battery removal: Frequent use can speed up degradation.
• Availability: They are less common, especially in rural areas.
  
  

In conclusion, each type of charging has its own advantages and disadvantages. The choice of charging method depends on your needs, your driving habits and your budget.

To optimise your charging costs, it is often advisable to combine several solutions, preferring charging at home for everyday use and fast charging stations for longer journeys.

What factors influence the cost of charging an electric car?

Several factors influence the cost of charging an electric car. Understanding these factors will help you better anticipate and optimize your spending.

Electricity ⚡ pricing

Electricity prices vary depending on the country, region and provider. Fares may also fluctuate depending on the time of day. In fact, peak times tend to be more expensive than off-peak times.

Daher ist es wichtig, die verfügbaren Tarifoptionen zu kennen und Ihre Ladegewohnheiten entsprechend anzupassen.

Kapazitäten von Elektrofahrzeugen 🚗 

Die Kapazität der Batterie und die Leistung des internen Ladegeräts beeinflussen auch die Ladekosten. Das bedeutet mehr Strom, der für eine vollständige Aufladung benötigt wird, aber auch eine größere Reichweite. 

Darüber hinaus können die Ladezeit und die Kosten je nach verwendetem Ladegerät (AC oder DC) variieren.

Ladesäulentyp 🔌 

Der Ladesäulentyp (zu Hause, öffentliche AC-Ladesäule, öffentliche DC-Schnellladesäule) hat einen direkten Einfluss auf die Kosten. Wie bereits erwähnt, sind Heimladesäulen in der Regel günstiger. Öffentliche Schnellladesäulen sind dagegen teurer, garantieren aber eine erhebliche Zeitersparnis. 

Darüber hinaus ist auch die Leistung der Ladesäule (kW) ein entscheidender Faktor.

Modell und Verbrauch des Fahrzeugs 🚘 

Each electric vehicle model has a specific consumption, which is expressed in kWh/100 km. More energy-efficient vehicles cost less when charged over the same distance.

For example, a Renault Zoe consumes about 17.7 kWh/100 km, while a Tesla Model 3 consumes about 14.4 kWh/100 km (source: Beev).

Weather conditions and driving style 🌦️ 

Weather conditions and driving style can also affect battery consumption. Extreme temperatures, for example, can reduce the efficiency of the battery, so it needs to be recharged more frequently.

A sporty driving style or driving on uneven terrain also increases energy consumption.

Subscriptions and charging cards 💳

Subscriptions for charging services and charging cards sometimes offer discounted prices. For example, a subscription to a charging station network can significantly reduce the cost per kWh.

Cross-network charging cards such as the Chargemap Pass allow access to several networks with discounted tariffs.

Multi-network charging cards such as the Chargemap Pass give you access to many networks with attractive rates. This charging card is a must to charge at over 600,000 charging points in 19 European countries. Convenient, right?


Order your Chargemap charging card

Incentives and subsidies 💰 

In some regions, incentives and subsidies can reduce charging costs. For example, some governments provide discounts for the installation of charging stations at home or loans for the use of electric vehicles.

By taking these factors into account, you can optimize your charging costs and maximize the economic benefits of your electric vehicle.

Comparison of charging costs

Charging costs can vary greatly depending on the location and type of charging station used. Let's compare the different scenarios to help you choose the best option.

Home 🏠 charging VS public charging 🌍

Charging at home is usually cheaper than using public charging stations. Charging at home, for example, can cost you between €1.5 and €5 per 100 km with a suitable electricity provider (source EDF article to give an idea of price).

In comparison, charging at a public fast charging station at Ionity can cost €0.39 per kWh at 50 kW charging stations (source: Automobile propre).

Focus on fast charging stations ⚡

Fast charging stations are more expensive, but offer significant time savings. For example, charging a Kia Niro EV at a fast charging station can cost around €5 for a full charge in less than an hour (source: Beev).

However, it is important to consider whether the time saved justifies the additional costs, especially for frequent trips.

How can you optimize your everyday charging costs?

Top Tips 💡 To reduce your charging costs, it is important to plan your charging sessions well and choose the cheapest options. Here are some strategies and tips to help you optimize your daily charging costs.

In everyday life, prefer charging at home / slow charging and fast charging rather occasionally 🏠

To save money and optimize your charging costs, you should prefer charging at home or at slow charging stations for your daily needs.

Charging at home is usually cheaper, especially during off-peak hours. Using fast charging stations only for longer journeys saves your battery and minimizes the additional costs associated with these more expensive charging stations.

Subscription for peak and off-peak hours 🕒

If your electricity contract explicitly includes a subscription for peak and off-peak hours, you should schedule charging your vehicle during off-peak hours. During these times, electricity is often cheaper, which can significantly reduce your charging costs.

Using the programming systems built into your vehicle or charging station can help you maximize these savings.

Use the 'Maximum price per kWh' Chargemap filter to find 💰 charging stations within your budget

The Chargemap app offers a 'maximum price per kWh' filter that allows you to search for charging stations that fit your budget. By setting a maximum price per kWh, you can easily find the cheapest charging stations along your route. This feature is especially useful for avoiding price surprises and optimizing your recharging spend.

Learn more about the features of the new filters that allow you to charge cheaply.

Use the Chargemap charging cost simulator 🔍

Chargemap's charging cost simulator is a valuable tool for estimating charging costs depending on your vehicle and the rates of the charging stations.

It allows you to plan your charging sessions more efficiently by identifying the most cost-effective options. Using the simulator can help you anticipate your spending and optimize your choices when loading.

Take advantage of offers and free charging stations 🎁

Some public charging stations offer free or discounted charging. Use the "Free charging stations" filters in apps like Chargemap to take advantage of it. Charging at these charging stations can mean significant savings in the long term.

For more tips, check out our guide: How can you save money when charging your electric car?

Adopt an eco-responsible driving style 🚗

By driving quietly and eco-consciously, you can maximize the range of your vehicle and reduce the frequency of necessary recharges.

So we can only advise you to brake with foresight and accelerate gently to save energy. This will help you reduce charging costs and extend the life of your battery.

Use solar energy ☀️

If you can install solar panels in your home, you can significantly reduce the cost of charging at home through self-consumption. This solution is ideal for those who want to reduce their CO₂footprint while achieving significant savings in the long term.

By following these tips, you can optimize your charging costs in everyday life and take full advantage of the economic and environmental benefits of your electric vehicle.

Summarizing

• It can be said that the cost of charging an EV depends on several factors: type of charging, electricity provider, charging conditions, etc.
• Charging at home is usually still the cheapest option, especially with cheap rates during off-peak periods. Public charging stations offer a practical but more expensive alternative, especially the fast charging stations on motorways.
• To optimize your charging costs, you should prefer charging at home or at slow charging stations for your daily needs.
• Use tools such as Chargemap's tariff filters and charging cost simulator to plan your recharges in a cost-effective and efficient way.

This allows you to reap the economic and environmental benefits of electric vehicles while keeping your charging costs under control 🌱

FAQ

How much does it cost to fully charge an e-car?

The cost of a full charge of an electric car depends on several factors, such as the capacity of the battery, the charging tariff, and the charging location. At home, the cost of a full charge can be around €10 to €15, depending on your electricity tariff. At public charging stations, especially fast charging stations, the costs can be higher and can be up to €30 or more, depending on the provider. It is therefore advisable to compare the different charging options to find the cheapest solution.

Can you charge e-cars for free?

Why is electricity at the fast-charging stations so expensive?

Fast charging stations offer high charging power, which makes it possible to charge the battery in a short time. However, the technology required for this and the higher network load lead to higher costs, which are passed on by the providers to the users. Fast charging stations are also often located in strategic locations such as motorway service stations, where infrastructure costs are higher. Therefore, the price per kWh at fast charging stations is usually more expensive than at conventional charging stations.

source : Where can I find free charging stations near me?

There are still free charging stations – you just have to find them! To help you with this, open the Chargemap app and select the "Free stations" filter to see available stations near you.