Home Charging: Cost Advantages
Charging at home from a standard socket or a dedicated wallbox is the financial cornerstone of EV ownership. In many markets, utility companies offer special dual-tariff rates for households with electric vehicles.
This rate provides lower tariffs (off-peak electricity) for up to 20 hours a day. The main benefit is that during these hours, cheap electricity is consumed not only by the car charger but by the entire household (including heat pumps, washing machines, or dishwashers). The average cost per kWh is significantly lower, making running costs very competitive compared to conventional vehicles.
Public Charging: Subscriptions and Tariffs
When charging at public stations, prices vary dramatically based on whether you are a registered customer with a monthly subscription or an unregistered driver paying one-off by card.
For registered customers, average prices are reasonable on slow AC chargers, moderately higher on fast DC chargers, and higher on ultra-fast networks. Charging without a subscription or using premium ultra-fast highway networks without a partner card can be expensive, bringing highway running costs close to the cost of diesel.