What is the cost of charging an electric car ? Everything you need to know

The different types of charging

There are several ways of charging your electric car, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Let’s look at them in detail to help you make the best choice.

Charging at home or at work 🏠

One of the most common and practical methods is to charge your electric car at home or at work. It allows daily charging without having to travel to a public charging point.

Advantages:

• Economical: charging at home is generally cheaper. The off-peak price of electricity at home can be particularly beneficial (around €0.13/kWh in March 2023 at EDF Vert Électrique Auto) compared with public charging points.
• Practical: charging at home or at work offers the convenience of charging your vehicle overnight or during your working hours.
• Flexibility: you can schedule charging at the cheapest times thanks to built-in scheduling systems.
  
  

Disadvantages:

• Charging time: this is often longer with a standard domestic socket or wallbox (wall-mounted charging point used to charge EVs at home or at work).
• Initial cost: installing a home charger can be expensive, although there are grants and subsidies available.
• Limited capacity: charging power is generally lower than that of fast public charging points.
  
  
  

Public charging points (AC) 🌍

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

Advantages:

• Accessibility: they can be found in urban areas, shopping centres, public car parks, etc.
• Modularity: there are different connector options that are adapted to different EV models.
• Variable rates: some operators offer competitive rates, especially for extended charging.
  
  

Disadvantages:

• Pricing: the cost can be higher than home charging, with variable rates depending on the operator and location. At the end of 2023, Avere-France estimated that an EV driver who travels 11,000km a year “can expect to spend an average of €8.87 to €18 a month to charge his vehicle at public charging points.”
• Charging time: charging is slower than at DC charging points.
• Availability: it is sometimes more difficult to find an available charging point in busy areas.
  
  
  

Rapid public charging stations (DC) ⚡

Rapid (DC) charging stations are designed to provide fast, efficient charging. They are particularly suited to long journeys and quick stops.

Advantages:

• Speed: these charging points charge 80% of the battery in 15 to 30 minutes.
• Performance: they have high power (up to 350kW), significantly reducing charging time.
• Convenience: they are often located on the main motorways.
  
  

Disadvantages:

• High cost: this is more expensive than AC and home charging points (According to a Qovoltis study, the cost of charging at a rapid charging point (250kW) on motorways is around €10.6 compared with €5.30 at home).
• Battery degradation: frequent use can accelerate degradation.
• Availability: there are fewer of these, especially in rural areas.
  
  

In short, 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’s often advisable to combine several solutions, giving preference to home charging for everyday use and rapid charging stations for long journeys.

What factors influence the cost of EV charging?

A number of factors influence the cost of EV charging. Understanding these factors will help you to better anticipate and optimise your expenditure.

Electricity pricing ⚡ 

Electricity pricing varies according to country, region and supplier. Rates can also fluctuate according to the time of day. Peak hours are generally more expensive than off-peak hours.

So it’s important to be aware of the tariff options available and to adapt your charging habits accordingly.

EV capacity 🚗 

Battery capacity and the performance of the internal charger also influence the cost of charging. This means that more electricity is needed for a full charge and a greater range. 

In addition, charging time and cost may vary depending on the charger that is used (AC or DC).

Type of charging point 🔌 

The type of charging point (home, public AC, rapid public DC) directly influences the cost. As seen above, home charging points are usually cheaper. Rapid public charging points are more expensive, but guarantee significant time savings. 

In addition, the power of the charging point (kW) is also a determining factor.

Vehicle model and consumption 🚘 

Each EV model has a specific consumption expressed in kWh/100 km. More energy-efficient vehicles will cost less to charge over the same distance. 

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

Weather and driving conditions 🌦️ 

Weather conditions and driving style can also affect battery consumption. For example, extreme temperatures can reduce the efficiency of the battery, increasing the charging frequency.

Sporty driving or driving over rough terrain also increases energy consumption.

Subscriptions and charging cards 💳 

Subscriptions to charging services and charging cards can offer preferential rates. For example, a subscription to a network of charging points can significantly reduce the cost per kWh. 

Multi-network cards, like the Chargemap Pass, give you access to multiple networks at competitive rates. It’s the must-have charging card to plug into over 600,000 charging points across 19 European countries. Handy, right?”

Order your Chargemap RFID card

Incentives and subsidies 💰 

In some regions, incentives and subsidies can reduce the cost of charging. For example, some governments offer discounts on the installation of home charging points or credits for the use of electric vehicles.

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

Comparing charging costs

The cost of charging can vary considerably depending on the location and type of charging point that is used. Let’s compare the different scenarios to help you choose the best option.

Home charging 🏠 VS public charging 🌍

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

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

Focus on rapid charging stations ⚡

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

However, it is essential to assess whether the time saved justifies the extra cost, especially for frequent journeys.

How can you optimise your day-to-day charging costs? 

Top tips 💡 To reduce your charging costs, it’s important to plan your charging sessions well and choose the most economical options. Here are some strategies and tips to help you optimise your day-to-day charging costs.

Favour home/slow charging on a daily basis and rapid charging more occasionally 🏠

To save money and optimise your charging costs, give priority to charging at home or at slow charging points for your daily needs. 

Charging at home is generally more economical, especially during off-peak hours. Using rapid charging stations only for long journeys preserves your battery and minimises the extra costs associated with these more expensive stations.

Peak/off-peak subscription 🕒

If your electricity contract includes a peak/off-peak subscription, programme your vehicle’s charging during off-peak hours. Electricity is often cheaper during these periods, which can considerably reduce your charging costs. Using the programming systems built into your vehicle or charging point can help you maximise these savings.

Use the Chargemap “maximum rate per kWh” filter to find charging points within your budget 💰

The Chargemap app offers a “Max price per kWh” filter that lets you search for charging stations based on your budget. By setting a maximum price per kWh, you can easily find the most economical charging points along your route. This feature is particularly useful for avoiding price surprises and optimising your charging costs.

Find out more about the features of the new filters for charging at the best price.

Use the Chargemap charging cost simulator 🔍

The Chargemap charging cost simulator is a valuable tool for estimating charging costs based on your vehicle and charging point tariffs. It allows you to plan your charging sessions more efficiently by identifying the most economical options. Using this simulator can help you anticipate your expenses and optimise your charging choices.

Take advantage of special offers and free charging points 🎁

Some public charging points offer free or discounted charging. Use the “Free charging points” filters on apps like Chargemap to take advantage of them. Charging at these charging points can represent significant savings over the long term.

For more tips, see our guide on how to save money on charging your electric car.

Adopt an eco-responsible driving style 🚗

Adopting a flexible and eco-responsible driving style will maximise your vehicle’s range and reduce the frequency of necessary charging sessions.

Therefore, we can only advise you to anticipate braking and accelerate gently to save energy. This will help you reduce your charging costs and extend the life of your battery.

Use solar energy ☀️

If you can install solar panels at home, you can considerably reduce the cost of home charging through self-consumption. This solution is ideal for those who want to minimise their carbon footprint while making substantial savings in the long term.

By following these tips, you can optimise your daily charging costs and take full advantage of the economic and ecological benefits of your electric vehicle.

To sum up

• The cost of charging an electric car varies according to a number of factors: type of charging, electricity supplier, charging conditions, etc. 
• Home charging is generally the cheapest option, especially with low off-peak rates.
• Public charging points offer a practical but more expensive alternative, particularly rapid charging points on the motorway.
• To optimise your charging costs, give preference to home charging or slow charging points for your daily journeys. 
• Use tools such as Chargemap’s tariff filters and charging cost simulator to plan your charges economically and efficiently. 

In so doing, you’ll enjoy the economic and ecological benefits of EVs while keeping your charging costs under control 🌱

FAQ

Is it cheaper to charge an electric car at home or a charging station?

Charging an electric car at home is generally cheaper than using public charging stations. Home electricity rates are often lower than public charging rates, especially during off-peak hours. Charging at home is cost-effective for regular, overnight charging, but public stations can be convenient for topping up on the go

Why is rapid charging more expensive?

Rapid charging is more expensive due to the advanced technology and higher power output required to charge an electric car quickly. High-speed chargers use more electricity in a short amount of time, which increases the cost.

Additionally, rapid chargers are often located in strategic, high-demand locations like highways and service areas, where infrastructure costs are higher. These factors contribute to the higher price per kWh at rapid charging stations.

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How can I save on electric car charging costs?

To save on charging costs, try charging at home during off-peak hours, using free charging stations, or exploring membership options for public networks. For more detailed tips, check out our dedicated article on saving money while charging your EV: How can you save money when charging your EV?

Where can you charge your electric car for free?

There are still free charging stations out there — you just have to find them! To help you locate them, open the Chargemap app and select the “Free Stations” filter to check for nearby stations.

Find public charging points on your journeys at a glance.
Download your Chargemap app.