New research from Switcher.ie reveals the latest costs of charging an electric vehicle (EV) across Europe, ranking countries from most to least expensive. The study also examines grants, purchase subsidies, and the cost of a full EV charge relative to weekly income by country.
According to Eurostat data, the cost of at-home EV charging in 2023 for the top 20 bestselling battery electric cars averaged €12.63 per full charge and €3.78 per 100km trip, with an average price increase of 4.44% across Europe, though costs varied widely.
Key findings include:
- The average change in charging costs across Europe was 4.4% in 2023, with significant fluctuations in some countries.
- Germany, Ireland, and Belgium are the most expensive countries to charge an EV, with costs reaching up to €23.57 per full charge.
- Turkey, Kosovo, and Bosnia Herzegovina are the cheapest, with full charges as low as €3.30.
- On average, a full charge in Europe costs 5% of net weekly income. Albanians spend 12.9% of their weekly income on charging, while Icelanders spend only 1.3%.
Top 10 most expensive countries to charge an electric car in Europe
The top 10 most expensive countries to charge an electric car generally have a higher market share of EVs and hybrids. Despite high electricity prices, charging costs are lower as a proportion of median incomes, except in Latvia and Czechia.
| Country | Cost per kWh | Cost per full charge | Cost per 100km | % of net weekly income | |
| 1 | Germany | €0.402 | €23.57 | €7.06 | 4.92% |
| 2 | Ireland | €0.379 | €22.25 | €6.66 | 3.98% |
| 3 | Belgium | €0.378 | €22.15 | €6.63 | 4.22% |
| 4 | Liechtenstein | €0.359 | €21.03 | €6.30 | 2.41% |
| 5 | Denmark | €0.355 | €20.84 | €6.24 | 3.26% |
| 6 | Cyprus | €0.345 | €20.24 | €6.06 | 5.90% |
| 7 | Italy | €0.335 | €19.63 | €5.87 | 5.49% |
| 8 | UK | €0.330 | €19.35 | €5.79 | * |
| 9 | Czechia | €0.315 | €18.48 | €5.53 | 7.91% |
| 10 | Latvia | €0.277 | €16.27 | €4.87 | 8.25% |
Top 10 cheapest countries to charge an electric car in Europe
The most affordable places in Europe to charge an electric vehicle are primarily in central and southeastern Europe, where EV ownership is less common. These countries typically have lower sales and a smaller market share of electric and hybrid vehicles due to the high purchase costs. Additionally, running an EV in these regions is less affordable when compared to median earnings.
These trends indicate that despite the lower charging costs, the overall expense relative to income remains a significant factor influencing the adoption of electric vehicles in these areas.
| Country | Cost per kWh | Cost per full charge | Cost per 100km | % of net weekly income | |
| 1 | Türkiye | €0.056 | €3.30 | €0.99 | 6.23% |
| 2 | Kosovo | €0.075 | €4.39 | €1.31 | * |
| 3 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | €0.085 | €4.96 | €1.48 | * |
| 4 | Georgia | €0.087 | €5.08 | €1.52 | * |
| 5 | Montenegro | €0.097 | €5.69 | €1.70 | 6.89% |
| 6 | Serbia | €0.105 | €6.13 | €1.84 | * |
| 7 | Albania (e) | €0.109 | €6.39 | €1.91 | 12.86% |
| 8 | Hungary | €0.113 | €6.64 | €1.99 | 4.95% |
| 9 | North Macedonia | €0.116 | €6.80 | €2.03 | * |
| 10 | Bulgaria | €0.119 | €6.99 | €2.09 | 6.76% |
* data not available
Eoin Clarke, Commercial Director of Switcher.ie, comments:
"Switcher.ie’s latest research reveals that the average cost of home charging for electric vehicles (EVs) is still rising, but prices vary significantly across the EU, with some countries experiencing sharp drops and others steep hikes in 2023. This fluctuation is largely due to government support during the energy crisis and changing global conditions affecting countries differently.
Despite historically high electricity costs, energy prices have peaked, and EVs remain much less financially burdensome than petrol or diesel vehicles. While EV sales have recently declined as governments phase out purchase grants and tax benefits, the market is expected to rebound as drivers seek relief from high fuel prices.
With falling EV prices and improving charging infrastructure, now might be a good time to consider switching to an EV. However, it's essential to research beforehand, shop for the best deals, take advantage of available grants and incentives, and look for energy tariffs and car insurance designed for electric vehicles."
News Source: eureporter
