Photo: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Public Charging
Free EV Charging in France Is Becoming Rarer in 2026
August 17, 2026
By Hugo Beignon, Founder of ma-borne-electrique.com
Only about 3% of public charging points remain free in France, a share that keeps shrinking as the network turns more commercial.
Charging an electric car for free in France is becoming increasingly rare. As the public network grows denser and more commercial, the share of free charging points keeps shrinking.
A shrinking share of the network
Out of the 200,045 public charging points counted in France, only 6,233 remain free, about 3% of the network, a share expected to keep falling as operators monetize their installations further.
The last refuges of free charging
Carrefour, a few independent Intermarché stores, and some hotels for their guests are among the last networks still offering free charging. Even Carrefour isn't fully free anymore: its 22kW stations have been priced at 0.23 euros per kWh since August 2026, cheap, but no longer free.
Where to still find accessible charging
- Supermarket parking lots, while you shop, remain the most reliable option.
- Hotel chargers, generally reserved for overnight guests, for charging while you sleep.
- A handful of free, slow municipal charging points, still offered in some towns.
In short, free charging is a shrinking category rather than a growing one: better to treat it as an occasional bonus than as a full charging strategy.
Frequently asked questions
What share of France's public charging network is still free?
Only 6,233 of the 200,045 public charging points remain free, about 3% of the network.
Where can you still find free EV charging in France?
Carrefour, a few independent Intermarché stores, and some hotels for their guests are among the last networks still offering free charging.
Does Carrefour still offer free charging?
No, even Carrefour isn't free everywhere anymore: its 22kW stations have been priced at 0.23 euros per kWh since August 2026.
Is free charging likely to grow in France?
No, it's a shrinking category rather than a growing one, as operators increasingly monetize their charging installations.
Want to find a charging station nearby? Check the charging map to plan your next trip.
