Charging an electric car is a major concern for those considering sustainable mobility. The good news is that, in most cases, charging an electric car is significantly cheaper than refuelling a petrol or diesel vehicle.and the final cost can vary considerably. Factors such as the charging location, the electricity tariff contracted and the capacity of your vehicle's battery will directly influence the price.
At Activacar, as a company specialising in the EV chargers installationWe are committed to easing your transition to electric mobility by offering efficient and transparent charging solutions. In this article, we will provide an in-depth breakdown of the price of charging an electric car in Spain, we will give you the keys to save money and we will show you how Activacar can be your perfect ally in this trip.
How much it costs to charge an electric car: Key Factors to Consider
Understand how much it costs to charge an electric car involves knowing the elements that influence its price. It is not a fixed cost, but adapts to your habits and choices.
Although on average, charging an electric car in Spain typically costs between €0.25/kWh and €0.40/kWh, depends on several factors to be taken into account.
Electricity Tariff and Schedules (Regulated vs. Free Market)
One of the major determinants of the cost of charging an electric car at home is your electricity tariff. In Spain, you can be on the regulated market (PVPC) or have a contract on the free market with a marketer.
The most important thing when it comes to saving money is to make use of the timetables with lower prices. Electricity tariffs tend to have periods of:
- Valley hours: Generally at night and in the early morning (and on entire weekends), when the price per kWh is cheapest. Charging your car during these times can reduce the cost per kWh to as little as €0.10 or less.
- Peak and Flat hours: During the day, where the price is higher. Charging at these times can double or triple the cost.
Many marketers also offer specific tariffs for electric vehiclesdesigned to encourage night-time charging or with blocks of super off-peak hours that make the process even cheaper.
Battery Capacity and Vehicle Range
The size of your electric car's battery, expressed in kilowatt-hours (kWh), is directly proportional to the cost of a full charge. The larger the capacity, the more kWh you need to fill the battery, and therefore the higher the cost of a full charge. price of charging the electric car.
For example, if you have a car with a battery of 42 kWh, giving you a range of 360 kilometresthe cost of a full charge in off-peak (at 0.10 €/kWh) would be about €4.20. This contrasts sharply with the approximately €41 it would cost to drive a similar distance in a petrol car with a fuel consumption of 6 L/100 km and petrol at €1.70/L.
Calculating the cost per kilometre is simple: divide the total cost of the charge by the range provided by that charge.
Charger Type and Charging Speed
Not all charging points are the same, and their power has a direct influence on the price per kWh of the electric car.
- Slow Charging (up to 7.4 kW): Typical in domestic garages. Its cost per kWh is that of your home tariff.
- Semi-fast charging (up to 22 kW): Common in shopping centres or car parks. They usually have an intermediate price.
- Fast or Ultra-fast charging (50 kW to 350 kW or more): Ideal for long journeys, they allow the 80% to be charged in less than an hour. However, their price of recharging the electric car per kWh is the highest, as you pay for convenience and speed.
How much does it cost to charge an electric car at home?
Charging your electric car at home is undoubtedly the most economical and convenient option. Considering the current electricity tariffs and the optimisation that most electric vehicle users make to take advantage of the cheapest hours, the average cost of charging an electric car at home in Spain is between €0.10 and €0.15 per kilowatt-hour (kWh). This means that, for a 50 kWh battery, a full recharge could cost between €5 and €7.5, which translates into a cost of approximately €1.5 to €2.5 to cover 100 km, assuming an average consumption of 15 kWh/100 km. This figure makes home charging the most economical and efficient option for electric vehicle owners.
Benefits and Savings of Home Recharging
The main benefit is the Significant savings. When using your own electricity tariff, especially during off-peak hours, the cost of charging the electric car at home is drastically reduced. In addition, the convenience of having your car always charged every morning, with no detours or waiting, is invaluable. In the long run, the maintenance costs of an electric vehicle are also lower than those of a combustion car, which adds up to additional savings.
The Cost of Installing a Charging Point
As a company specialising in install electric car charger at homeIn the case of domestic recharging, we know that the most important upfront investment for domestic recharging is the installation of a or dedicated charging point for electric vehicles. These devices, which improve the safety and efficiency of charging, often come at a high cost.depending on the power, model and complexity of the installation.
Crucially, this initial investment is quickly amortised thanks to the lower price of charging the electric car at home. In addition, in Spain, there are grants and subsidies such as the MOVES III Plan (effective in 2024 for installations before July 2024), which can cover a significant part of the purchase and installation cost of the wallbox, making the investment even more attractive.
At Activacar, we are specialists in installation, offering a turnkey service and advising you on the best options for your home or company, and informing you about the grants available.
Home Price per Kilometre Calculation
Calculate the price per kilometre of your electric car at home is simple. You only need to know the average consumption of your vehicle (kWh/100 km) and the price per kWh of your tariff.
Formula: (Average car consumption in kWh/100km) x (Price of your kWh in €) = Cost per 100 km in €.
Practical example: If your car consumes 15 kWh per 100 kilometres and your off-peak tariff is 0.10 €/kWh, the cost per 100 km would be
15 kWh/100 km * 0,10 €/kWh = 1.50 per 100 kilometres
Compare this with a petrol car that consumes 6 L/100 km at 1.70 €/L: 6 L * 1.70 €/L = 10,20 per 100 kilometres. The difference is abysmal and underlines the savings involved in the electric car.
What is the Price of Charging an Electric Car at Public Charging Points?
Considering the variety of tariffs and infrastructure available in Spain, the average cost of charging an electric car at a public charging point is typically between €0.40 and €0.60 per kilowatt-hour (kWh). This range includes from semi-fast (AC) chargers, which are cheaper, to ultra-fast (DC) chargers, which are the most expensive due to their high power and speed. This implies that to recharge a 50 kWh battery, the cost could be between €20 and €30, which translates into an approximate cost of between €6 and €9 per 100 kilometres driven, assuming an average consumption of 15 kWh/100 km. This price, although higher than domestic charging, is still competitive with refuelling combustion vehicles, especially when comparing the cost per kilometre.
Price Variability in the Public Network
Prices at public charging points are higher than at home, and vary greatly depending on:
- Loading point operator: Each company has its own tariffs.
- Charger power: Fast or ultra-fast charging points are more expensive per kWh.
- Location: A charging point on a motorway is usually more expensive than one in a shopping centre.
- Method of payment: Pay-as-you-go is usually more expensive than a subscription or plan.
Applications and Charge Cards for Cost Optimisation
To navigate through the public freight network and find the best deals, it is essential to use specialised applications as:
- Electromaps: One of the most popular, it allows you to locate charging points, see their status, power and, in many cases, price.
- PlugShare: Similar to Electromaps, with a large user community and useful filters.
- Operators' own apps: The apps from Iberdrola, Endesa X Way, Repsol, Zunder, etc., will allow you to activate charging, pay and view their specific tariffs.
It also considers the loyalty cards or subscriptions offered by some operators. For a monthly fee, you can access lower kWh tariffs, which is ideal if you frequently use a specific network.
Save on the Cost of Charging Your Electric Car: Practical Tips
Regardless of where you charge, there are smart strategies for reducing the price of charging your electric car.
Take advantage of the Valley Hours and Discriminatory Tariffs
This is the golden tip for saving money at home. Whenever possible, schedule the charging of your vehicle to take place during the off-peak hoursi.e. at night or on full weekends. The price difference per kWh can be up to 50-70% compared to peak hours.
Invest in a Home Charger
As already mentioned, although it involves an initial investment, installing an electric charger in your home is the best long-term decision to reduce your energy consumption. price of charging your electric car. Not only do you benefit from domestic tariffs, but charging is safer and more efficient than using a conventional socket.
Consider Photovoltaic Solar Energy
If you have the possibility, the installation of photovoltaic solar panels in your home can revolutionise your savings. Generating your own electricity means you can charge your electric car virtually free of charge, harnessing the power of the sun. Even on cloudy days or at night, you can rely on the grid or energy storage systems (batteries) to keep your car charged.
Plan your trips and use free or low-cost charging points.
Before a long journey, research available charging points along your route. Some companies, shopping malls, hotels or restaurants offer free or very low-cost charging points as a service to your customers. Planning your loading stops at these locations can mean considerable savings.
Activacar: Your Partner for Efficient and Economical Electricity Recharging
At ActivacarWe understand that the transition to electric mobility must be simple and accessible. That's why we offer comprehensive solutions to make the transition to electric mobility easy. price of charging your electric car not be a concern.
Charging Solutions for Home and Business
We specialise in the advice, supply and installation of recharging points for individuals and companies. We work with the best manufacturers to offer you smart, reliable chargers adapted to your needs. We help you select the right power, apply for the available subsidies and guarantee a safe and professional installation. Our aim is for you to have the best charging experience at home or in your business, optimising your energy costs.
ActivaCharge: The Activacar Public Charge Network
In addition to domestic solutions, at Activacar we are building our own public charging network: ActivaCharge. Our goal is to expand the charging infrastructure at strategic points, offering a simple, reliable charging experience at competitive rates. Check our website and apps to discover the nearest ActivaCharge points and their conditions.
Transition to Electric Mobility with Activacar
Electric mobility is the future: it is cleaner, quieter and, as we have seen, significantly more efficient. more economical in the long term. At Activacar, we accompany you in every step of this transition. If you are thinking of going electric, do not hesitate to contact us. Our team of experts will advise you without obligation about electric cars, the best charging solutions and how you can optimise your electric car charging. price of charging your electric car to start enjoying all the benefits of this technology.
In short, the price of charging an electric car is, in essence, one of its greatest attractions. Although there are variables to consider, home charging, especially during off-peak hours, is the most cost-effective option. The initial investment in a Wallbox is quickly recouped through ongoing fuel and maintenance savings.
At Activacar, we are here to answer your questions and provide you with the tools and knowledge to make charging your electric vehicle efficient and economical at all times. Join the electric revolution and start saving today!
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