What is the average cost of an electric car charging station?
Economical, practical and environmentally friendly, electric cars are becoming increasingly popular in France. This development is accompanied by the deployment of charging infrastructures for electric vehicles (IRVE) to meet this demand.
It has been possible to install a charging station at home since 2015. However, it's an investment that requires careful consideration of the overall cost.
Here are the different factors to consider when purchasing a home charging station for electric cars.
The terminal
The cost of a terminal can vary according to :
- The brand
Prices may differ if the terminal was sold by a car manufacturer or a specialist manufacturer.
- The model
The cost depends on the model: if it's a conventional charging station, it will be less expensive than if it includes advanced features (e.g. LED display, badge reader, access control system...).
- The power
There are 4 types of power:
- 3.7 kW
- 7.4 kW
- 11 kW
- 22 kW
A more powerful terminal charges faster. As a result, it will be more expensive.
An entry-level charging station costs around €800. We advise you to opt for a charging station costing between €1,000 and €1,500, for more efficient recharging of your electric vehicle.
Type 2 cable
This cable is required to charge your electric car at the terminal. It can be supplied when you purchase your vehicle.
Depending on cable length and power, prices can vary from €250 to €500.
Installation work
- Connect to the electrical panel so that the terminal can be powered.
- Civil engineering work (e.g. digging a trench if necessary). Wall mounting is generally less expensive than pedestal mounting.
- Have the electrical installation brought up to standard if necessary by a qualified electrician
- Have your electricity supplier increase the wattage of your meter. An additional charge of €25 per year (for each additional wattage level) will appear on your bill.
Installation
- For a house
Installation costs range from €1,200 to €1,500 incl. VAT.
The C.I.T.E (Crédit d'Impôt pour la Transition Énergétique - Tax Credit for Energy Transition) enables all private individuals to benefit from assistance when purchasing and installing a charging station at home. Following the French Finance Law n°2020-1721 made official on January 1, 2021, any private individual owning a principal residence benefits from a tax credit of 75% of the price of the equipment up to a limit of €300. The home must be more than 2 years old.
The cost price is therefore between €900 and €1,200.
In addition, VAT is 5.5%. More information on VAT for charging stations can be found below in the section "What is the VAT rate for charging stations since 2021?".
Good to know: the C.I.T.E is abolished and replaced by MaPrimeRénov'. To find out more, please see our article on this energy transition bonus.
- For joint ownership
The greater the distance between the parking space and the electrical panel, the more expensive the installation. If you're a condominium owner and would like to install a charging station, read our guide to installing a charging station in a condominium.
- For a company
The installation of a charging station in a company is more expensive because of the complexity of its configuration: the number of stations, the distance from the parking lot, the more complex electrical installation, etc...
However, there are grants and subsidies available to help you save on costs.
Charging the car
The cost of recharging your electric car at home is around €2 for a full charge.
The acquisition and installation of a charging station for an electric vehicle can be more or less expensive, depending on the various criteria set out above. These costs can be reduced by :
- government subsidies, enabling real savings on the final bill
- VAT reduction for charging stations.
What is the VAT rate for charging stations since 2021?
From January 1, 2021, according to Article 278-0 Bis, the reduced 5.5% tax applies to the installation, fitting and maintenance of electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
This reduced VAT rate for charging stations (instead of 20%) considerably reduces the cost of installing a charging station for private individuals. To qualify, certain criteria must be met.
How to install an electric car charging station
For homes over two years old
- Installation of a recharging point only (does not work for a reinforced socket)
- A single invoice covering installation and supply of the terminal
- A terminal complying with the French electrical standard (NF15-100)
- Installation by an IRVE-qualified electrician
For homes less than two years old
According to article 278-0 Bis (since 2014), the reduced VAT rate of a charging station at 5.5% did not apply to work that concerns homes completed less than two years ago. In fact, this was still the case in 2022.
However, from January 1, 2023, the reduced VAT rate of 5.5% will apply to all housing. The document confirming that the building has been finished for more than 2 years will no longer be required.
Once you've purchased an electric vehicle, you'll want to install a charging station on your premises. There are a number of steps you'll need to take beforehand:
- Choosing your terminal: model, power
- Defining the installation site
- Draw up installation specifications (civil engineering or not)
- Carry out civil engineering work as required
- Have your electrical installation brought up to standard by an IRVE-qualified technician if necessary
The installation of a charging station must be carried out by an electrical professional (article R. 4544-9). This work takes between 1 and 5 hours.
Here are the steps involved in installing a terminal:
- Resistance check
- Switching off electricity
- Check for absence of voltage
- Terminal installation
- Power on
- Checking system operation
As you can see, charging stations are now much more affordable, and very easy to install. All the more reason to go all-electric for your travels!
