Photo: Ivan Radic (CC BY 2.0)
Pricing
How Much Does It Really Cost to Charge an Electric Car in France?
August 27, 2026
By Hugo Beignon, Founder of ma-borne-electrique.com
From a home outlet to a fast charger on the motorway, the price per kWh can triple. Here's how to make sense of it.
The price of a charge can vary enormously depending on where you plug in your electric car in France. A few concrete figures make the comparison much clearer.
Home electricity rates in 2026
As of August 2026, France's regulated tariff stands at 0.2001 euros per kWh on the Base option, 0.1589 euros during off-peak hours, and 0.2142 euros at peak hours. The off-peak/peak option is now available from 3kVA subscriptions, and EDF offers a dedicated plan, 'Vert Électrique Auto', for EV or hybrid owners living in houses.
Public charging costs a bit more
On public 22kW stations, such as Carrefour's, priced at 0.23 euros including tax per kWh since August 1, 2026 (a 30% cut), the cost remains reasonable for a top-up, but already clearly exceeds the home off-peak rate.
Motorway fast charging costs noticeably more
On fast and ultra-fast motorway chargers, the price per kWh climbs significantly, especially with pay-as-you-go pricing and no subscription, where it can easily reach two to three times the home off-peak rate.
A concrete example
Take a compact EV using roughly 16 kWh per 100km. At home on an off-peak tariff, that's about 2.54 euros. On a public 22kW station at 0.23 euros per kWh, it's closer to 3.68 euros. On a motorway fast charger without a subscription, the bill can run two to three times higher than charging at home, a real factor to weigh on a long trip.
The key takeaways
- Home charging on an off-peak tariff is, by far, the cheapest everyday option.
- Public 22kW charging works for a top-up but costs more than the home off-peak rate.
- Motorway fast charging is the most expensive, especially without a subscription.
- Optimizing your home electricity plan matters more for your bill than optimizing charging on the road.
Frequently asked questions
How much does off-peak home electricity cost per kWh in 2026?
The off-peak rate is 0.1589 euros per kWh since August 2026, compared to 0.2142 euros at peak hours.
How much does charging cost on a public 22kW station?
On Carrefour's 22kW stations, the rate is 0.23 euros including tax per kWh since August 1, 2026, a 30% cut.
How much does 100km cost in an electric car?
For a compact EV using about 16 kWh per 100km, that's roughly 2.54 euros at home on the off-peak rate, versus about 3.68 euros on a public 22kW station.
Is motorway fast charging a lot more expensive?
Yes, without a subscription it can cost two to three times more than charging at home on an off-peak tariff.
Want to find a charging station nearby? Check the charging map to plan your next trip.
