EV charging cost calculator
Estimate the energy drawn from the charger, a charging-session cost and the electricity cost of a trip.
Why energy from the wall is higher
Not every kilowatt-hour drawn from the charger ends up stored in the battery. Charging electronics, battery conditioning and other losses mean the wall-energy figure can be higher than the increase in usable battery energy.
Trip cost formula
Use a realistic consumption figure
Dashboard or trip-computer consumption from a similar route is usually more useful than a single official range figure. Speed, temperature, wind, elevation, tyres and cabin heating or cooling can all affect consumption.
Why EV charging costs vary so much between drivers
Electric vehicle charging cost is one of the most frequently searched electricity topics in Europe right now, largely because the answer depends heavily on where charging happens. Charging at home overnight on a standard domestic tariff is typically the cheapest option, since you are paying your normal — or a discounted off-peak — electricity price directly. Public rapid and ultra-rapid charging networks, by contrast, usually charge a premium per kWh that reflects the cost of high-power hardware, site rental and network operation, which is why a driver who charges exclusively at public rapid chargers can pay several times more per kWh than one who charges mostly at home.
Efficiency matters as much as the tariff
A vehicle's real-world consumption — typically expressed in kWh per 100 km — is shaped by driving style, outdoor temperature, motorway speed and vehicle weight, and it can vary meaningfully between a gentle summer commute and a fast, cold-weather motorway trip. Using a realistic, ideally trip-specific consumption figure rather than a manufacturer's optimistic WLTP figure will give a far more accurate cost estimate than assuming every kilometre costs the same.
Example charging cost comparison
| Charging type | Typical price | Cost per 100 km* |
|---|---|---|
| Home charging, standard tariff | €0.28–€0.32/kWh | €4.50–€5.50 |
| Home charging, off-peak overnight tariff | €0.12–€0.18/kWh | €2.00–€3.00 |
| Public AC charging (destination) | €0.40–€0.55/kWh | €6.50–€9.00 |
| Public DC rapid/ultra-rapid | €0.55–€0.79/kWh | €9.00–€13.00 |
*Assuming average consumption of roughly 17 kWh/100 km. Your vehicle, driving style and season will change the real figure.
Frequently asked questions
Why is public charging so much more expensive than home charging?
Public networks, especially rapid and ultra-rapid chargers, carry higher hardware, installation, grid-connection and site costs than a home wallbox, and those costs are reflected in the per-kWh or per-session price.
Does cold weather really increase EV charging cost?
Yes. Battery conditioning and cabin heating draw additional energy in cold conditions, which increases consumption per kilometre and therefore the cost of a given trip compared with mild weather.
Should I use my car's WLTP consumption figure for this calculator?
WLTP figures are measured under standardised test conditions and are often optimistic for real-world motorway or winter driving. Using an average consumption figure from your own trip history, if available, gives a more accurate cost.
Is charging to 100% always the most economical choice?
Charging to 100% uses the same price per kWh as any other charge, but frequent full charges can accelerate battery wear on some chemistries. That is a battery-health question rather than a cost-per-charge question, so it does not change this calculator's estimate.
Does this calculator include public charging session or connection fees?
No — it estimates energy cost from price per kWh only. Some public networks add a separate flat connection or session fee, which you should add manually if your chosen network charges one.
