How much does it cost to charge an electric car? Here's everything you need to know

Thinking about switching to electric but worried about charging costs? We get it! Between home rates, public stations, and highway prices, it’s hard to know what to expect. Good news: charging your EV is way cheaper than you think. Let’s break it down simply.

What is the total cost of an electric charge?

Let’s start with the most important part: charging an electric car costs 3 to 4 times less than filling up with gas. Yes, really!

In practice, your EV consumes between 12 and 20 kWh to travel 100 km. It’s like your car “drinks” electricity instead of fuel—and electricity in France is quite affordable.

Home charging: unbeatable price

At home, expect to pay between €2.50 and €4 to drive 100 km. That’s the price of a coffee to go from Paris to Orléans! Fully charging a 60 kWh battery (about 400 km of range) will cost between €9 and €15 depending on your electricity provider.

Installing a home charging station makes it even cheaper. With available incentives (a €300 tax credit, 5.5% VAT), your setup pays for itself quickly. Smart chargers can schedule charging during off-peak hours, when rates drop to €0.13/kWh.

Public charging rates: flexible for city use

At public stations in town, prices are a bit higher: between €3 and €6 per 100 km. A full charge costs between €12 and €25 depending on the station’s power. Still much cheaper than gas—and you can charge while shopping or on your lunch break.

Factors that influence public charging prices:

Type of station: Accelerated (22 kW) is cheaper than fast (50 kW)
Subscription: Up to 30% off with charging cards
Duration: Some networks charge by time, others by kWh
Location: City center stations may be more expensive

Highway charging: speed and convenience

On highways, fast charging is more expensive (€8 to €15 per 100 km), but you can recover 80% of your battery in just 20 minutes. A full session costs between €15 and €30 depending on power and provider.

Highway networks often charge €0.50 to €0.79/kWh. But there are alternatives! At Electra, with our popular €19.99/month subscription, you charge at just €0.29/kWh—the same as at home, but ultra-fast. A game-changer for long trips!

The real magic? If you mostly charge at home (like 80% of EV drivers), your fuel budget will melt away.

How to calculate your charging cost (it’s super easy)

No need to be Einstein to figure out your EV charging cost. The formula is simple:

Charging cost = Vehicle consumption (kWh/100 km) × Distance × Electricity price (€/kWh)

Real-world examples with different EV models

Take Marie, who drives a Renault Zoe. She commutes 50 km daily. Her Zoe consumes 17 kWh/100 km and she pays €0.18/kWh at home.

Her calculation: 17 × 0.5 × 0.18 = €1.53 per dayOver a 22-day work month, Marie spends about €34 on charging. With her old gas-powered Clio, she spent €120/month. That’s €86 saved monthly—over €1,000 per year!

For a Tesla Model 3:

Consumption: 15 kWh/100 km
Same commute: 50 km/day
Daily cost: €1.35
Monthly budget: €30

For a Peugeot e-208:

Consumption: 16 kWh/100 km
Daily cost: €1.44
Monthly budget: €32

How to optimize your EV charging costs

And the best part? You can save even more:

Charge during off-peak hours and pay just €1.80 per 100 km. Your car charges while you sleep—at the lowest rate. With a smart charger, everything is automated. You can save up to 40% on your EV electricity bill.

Take advantage of free stations in shopping centers, public parking, or at work. Yes, they still exist—and they’re a jackpot for your mobility budget!

Use charging network subscriptions. Like a mobile plan, you pay less if you subscribe. Up to 30% off public sessions! Multi-network cards give access to thousands of stations across France and Europe.

At Electra, we’ve made it even simpler. With over 400 ultra-fast stations in France, we offer clear, competitive pricing. Without a subscription, it’s €0.54/kWh via the app. But the real deal? Our no-commitment subscriptions:

Essential at €4.99/month: €0.39/kWh—worth it after just 2 sessions!
Popular at €19.99/month: only €0.29/kWh—same as home!

Imagine: with our most popular plan, you charge at home prices, but ultra-fast. 200 km in 20 minutes, at your home electricity rate. Charging as it should be: simple, transparent, and affordable.

Why prices vary (and how to benefit)

You’ve noticed charging prices vary. Why? It’s easy to understand—and you can use it to your advantage!

Equipment type makes all the difference

A slow home charger uses your household electricity—so it’s the cheapest. Highway fast chargers require expensive infrastructure and high power. Naturally, they cost more (but still less than gas!).

Power levels and average prices:

Home outlet (2.3 kW): standard home electricity rate
Wall charger (7 kW): same rate, 3× faster
Public station (22 kW): €0.20–€0.35/kWh
Fast charger (50–150 kW): €0.40–€0.60/kWh
Ultra-fast (150–350 kW): €0.50–€0.79/kWh (except with subscription)

Your electricity provider matters too

Some providers offer special EV rates. With off-peak hours, you can nearly halve your night-time charging costs. Rate options can make a big difference to your annual budget.

Examples of great offers:

Standard off-peak: -30% at night
EV-specific plans: up to -50% during super off-peak hours
Green electricity: often same price as standard
Fixed-rate contracts: protection from price hikes

When you charge affects the price

Electricity is cheaper at night—and sometimes on weekends. Like train tickets, it’s smarter to “travel off-peak”! France’s grid encourages night-time use to balance demand.

But don’t worry—even at peak highway rates, you still save compared to gas. And how often do you really drive on highways?

In daily life, 8 out of 10 EV drivers charge mostly at home. The rest? Bonus charging—at work, the supermarket, the movies… Your car charges while you live your life.

Is installing a home charger worth it? Absolutely! The government offers a €300 tax credit and 5.5% VAT. In just a few months, your setup pays for itself through fuel savings.

Electric is really cheaper (proof in numbers)

Let’s do the math. Paul drives 15,000 km per year—like many French drivers.

With his electric car:

Average consumption: 15 kWh/100 km
Charging mix (70% home, 20% public, 10% fast): €0.22/kWh average
Annual energy cost: €495
Reduced maintenance: €400 saved/year
Total mobility cost: €495

With his old gas car:

Consumption: 6 L/100 km
Gas price: €1.80/L
Annual fuel cost: €1,620
Full maintenance: €600/year
Total cost: €2,220

Paul saves €1,725 per year. Over 5 years, that’s more than €8,600—enough to offset the higher purchase price of an EV.

And we haven’t even mentioned the joy of silent driving, no vibrations, and instant acceleration. Electric is better for your wallet and your driving experience!

Extra tips to optimize your charging sessions

At home, be smart

Optimal setup:

Choose a smart charger that schedules off-peak sessions
Check EV offers from EDF, Engie, or TotalEnergies
Consider “vehicle-to-grid”: your car could earn you money!
Got space? Solar panels = free driving

Daily habits:

Keep your battery between 20% and 80% to extend lifespan
Preheat the cabin while plugged in (saves range)
Use eco mode in the city to reduce consumption

On the go, adopt good habits

Public charging strategies:

Charge during regular activities (shopping, gym, dining)
Use apps like Chargemap to compare prices and availability
Get a subscription if you charge publicly often
Avoid emergency sessions—they’re always pricier
Use chargers in office or mall parking lots

On highways, plan ahead:

Treat charging stops like rest breaks
Stretch your legs—it’s good for safety!
With the right subscription, cut your costs in half
Choose stations with amenities (restaurants, restrooms, play areas)

Your questions about charging costs (answered)

“Does daily charging damage my battery?”Not at all! Modern EV batteries love regular small charges. It’s better than draining to 0% and charging to 100%. Keep it between 20% and 80%—your battery will last longer.

“Can I really go on vacation in an EV?”Absolutely! With Electra’s fast stations and other highway networks, you can cross France with ease. A 20–30 minute break every 2–3 hours (you need breaks anyway!) and you’ll arrive relaxed. Apps help you plan your route with charging stops.

“What if I don’t have a garage for a charger?”More public chargers are being installed in cities. Charge while shopping, at work, or use neighborhood stations. It’s a new habit—but it becomes second nature. Some apartment buildings now offer shared chargers too.

“Do free stations still exist?”Yes! In some malls, public parking lots, hotels, or workplaces. Some cities even offer the first hour free.

“Isn’t it complicated with all these networks?”Not anymore! With multi-network cards or contactless payment (like at Electra), it’s easy. No more juggling badges. One app gives you access to thousands of stations.

“What’s the real winter range?”Consumption rises 20–30% in cold weather—but it’s still very economical. Preheat your car while plugged in to save battery. Even with higher use, you’ll still pay 2–3 times less than for gas.

Ready to go electric? Now’s the time!

Charging an electric car is simple and affordable. No more stress over rising gas prices. No more detours to find the cheapest station.

With electric, you control your energy budget and charge where and when you want. Charging costs 3 to 4 times less than gas—and with a few smart moves, you can save even more.

France’s charging network is growing fast, with over 100,000 public points already.

At Electra, we’re here to make your switch to electric even easier. With nearly 500 stations across France, we’re changing the game: “Charge at a station. Pay like at home.”

Our pricing is transparent, and our no-commitment subscriptions let you charge at home rates (€0.29/kWh with our most popular €19.99/month plan). No more overpriced fast sessions!

Calculate your future savings! Download the Electra app and explore all our stations near you. Join the thousands of smart drivers who’ve already made the switch.Electric isn’t complicated. It’s just better.

Written by Nicolas – Mobility Expert at Electra