How do I charge my electric car in Paris?

April 26, 2024
Charging stations

How do you recharge your electric car in Paris? We've investigated for you. One of the main obstacles to switching to an electric car is its range, and the lack of charging stations in France. But what's the reality? How do you recharge outside your home in Paris? And at what price? Electric car recharging in Paris

In 2016, Ségolène Royal, then Minister of the Environment, announced that she wanted to deploy a million charging stations over 3 years to boost the electric car market.

But 3 years on, the results are mixed, and even if the installations are more than sufficient for today's electric vehicle fleet, many consumers want more.

At regional level, several regions have introduced subsidies to help households switch to electric cars. At municipal level, many cities have made commitments to boost the number of electric cars in order to improve air quality and reduce noise pollution. Paris is a case in point.

Owning a car in Paris is often an ordeal: overpriced parking spaces, fines at the first slip-up and increasingly rare petrol stations. As a result, many Parisians are turning to the electric car, but one real obstacle remains: how to charge it? As most Parisians live in apartments, recharging at home is not an option. But how do you choose the right recharging card? We've broken down the two main Parisian offers for you.

Our experts answer your questions with a smile

Monday to Friday 9h 12h30 - 14h 19h

Charging your electric car at Autolib' stations

In Paris, since the closure of the Autolib' terminals, it is possible to charge your electric car, subject to a subscription and a card that must be visible on the windscreen. However, only 1,000 of the network's terminals are accessible to the public (compared with 3,200 Autolib' terminals). These terminals are complementary to the Paris City Council's Belib' network, described below.

How does it work?

How do I charge my electric car at an Autolib' station?

⚠️ Please note that these terminals are for car charging only. Parking is prohibited under penalty of fines.

How much does it cost?

If you are an individual or a professional user, this will cost you €120/year .
If you are a professional operating your vehicle commercially or a VTC or Taxi, this will cost you €600/year.

What's involved?

I am a private individual living in Paris

If you live in Paris, you can apply online or by post (payment by cheque).

Online procedure
Procedure by post

I am a private individual living in Île-de-France

If you live in the Île-de-France region, you'll need to apply by post.

For those wishing to do so by post, please send the following items:

Copy of vehicle registration certificate or copy of provisional vehicle registration certificate
Surname, first name and postal address to which the paper card is to be sent
Cheque for 120 € made payable to Régie du stationnement

Where should I send my mail?

Parking on Public Highways Section (SSVP)

15, boulevard Carnot

75012 Paris

You will receive your card to display on your windscreen within 10 days.

I am a professional living in the Île-de-France region

In this case, you can only apply by post.

How do I know if I'm eligible?

You are only eligible if the vehicle is used for commercial purposes: car-sharing, cab or VTC, etc.

Only 100% electric vehicles (excluding EE category) are eligible.

Where should I send my mail?

Direction de la Voirie et des Déplacements (Roads and Transportation Department)

On-street parking section

Parking Card Unit

Shared vehicle electric recharging card

15 boulevard Carnot 75012 PARIS

Carte de recharge voiture électrique Professionnel Paris

⚠️ Please note that this is a temporary solution, as the Mairie de Paris has launched a call for tenders to renew the Bolloré Group's charging stations.

Charging your electric car at Belib' stations

Belib' is a public network of electric charging stations belonging to the Paris City Council. It allows you to recharge your electric or hybrid car more or less quickly, depending on the power level required by the user.

The plus? These charging stations are universal, with a choice of plugs(type 2, type 3, domestic E/F, Combo 2 cable, CHAdeMo cable). All cars can be charged, including two-wheelers. Each station offers 3 charging points where 3 vehicles can be charged simultaneously.

There are currently 60 stations and 180 recharging stations throughout Paris.