Comparison of charging costs: owner vs. subscription
Should you invest in a home charging point or opt for a subscription?
The choice between a home charging point and a subscription depends on a number of factors, including your charging needs, your budget and your driving habits. Opting for a home charging point offers great convenience, allowing you to recharge your electric vehicle at any time without having to travel. What's more, these charging points are often more powerful than public ones, which reduces recharging time and can save you money in the long term. However, the initial installation can be costly, sometimes requiring a more powerful electricity subscription and a dedicated parking space.
On the other hand, a charging subscription eliminates the initial cost and offers a degree of flexibility by allowing charging at different public charging points. What's more, it simplifies the hassle-free installation and maintenance of a charging point. However, the cost of public charging can be higher, and the availability of charging points can be a problem, especially in rural areas, leading to potentially longer charging times.
In conclusion, if you have the financial means and use your electric car regularly, theinstallation of a home charging point is an option worth considering. On the other hand, if you're on a tight budget or don't use your electric car very often, a recharging subscription might be more appropriate.
What are the different recharging systems offered by car manufacturers?
TESLA SUPERCHARGER
The Tesla superchargers, developed and operated by Teslais the world's fastest charging network for electric vehicles. With more than 50,000 charging points in over 40 countries, these stations are strategically located along major roads and close to amenities, providing a convenient solution for drivers who want to recharge their vehicles while on the move.
Offering charging speeds of up to 250 kW, Tesla Superchargers allow drivers to recharge their vehicles in just 20 to 30 minutes, making long-distance journeys more feasible. For ease of use, drivers can locate stations, plan their routes and make payments via the Tesla app.
Tesla's Supercharger network is constantly expanding, with plans to install more than 6,000 new Superchargers worldwide by 2022. In terms of cost, charging rates vary from country to country depending on local electricity tariffs. In France, for example, the price is currently €0.26 per kilowatt-hour. Initially intended for Tesla owners, some countries have opened up part of this network to drivers of other electric vehicles, thereby widening access to this technology. recharging infrastructure fast.
Audi Charging
Audi Charging is a comprehensive service dedicated to recharging electric vehicles fromAudiThis is the first of its kind in Europe, offering an extensive AC and fast-charging network across Europe.
At present, the network has almost 500,000 public charge points in 27 European countrieswith the option of recharging your Audi e-tron at high-power charging stations on the motorway in just 30 minutes. Flexible pricing packages, such as Basic, Plus and Pro, offer options tailored to different user profiles, facilitated by a simplified payment system via an RFID card or the myAudi app, which brings together all the essential information.
Unique benefits are also on offer, such as a free one-year subscription for new Audi electric vehicle customers, no occupancy charges during certain charging times and discounts on charging prices with the Pro subscription.
In partnership with IONITYAudi Charging is developing a fast-charging network on motorways, enabling impressive charging times, such as just 10 minutes to recover 255 km of energy.autonomy on the Audi Q6 e-tron, with a recharging power of up to 320 kW.
The myAudi application offers comprehensive contract management, charging session management, invoice consultation and route planning, while the Audi Charging Hub stations in Nuremberg, Zurich and Frankfurt mark the start of a new charging era. In addition, Audi is committed to a sustainable approach by using second-life lithium-ion batteries to recharge vehicles, transforming them into buffer batteries for DC charging.
BMW ChargeNow
BMW ChargeNow is a recharging service designed to simplify access to public recharging infrastructure in Europe. Here's how it works: First, you choose the tariff that suits you from the various package deals available, then register to get started. Then you activate your BMW Charging Card and download the My BMW application to enjoy access to over 200,121 charging points across Europe.
You can easily locate nearby charging points on your route or at your destination using the map and app. Once found, you can use your BMW Charging Card or the My BMW app to start the charging process, with the possibility of charging starting automatically thanks to the Plug & Charge function, depending on the compatibility of the charging point and your vehicle.
The benefits of BMW ChargeNow include the possibility of recharging at over 200,121 green energy recharging points across Europe, a single contract giving access to the entire recharging network, full transparency of tariffs and easy tracking of expenditure, and an all-in-one solution with the My BMW app to locate, authenticate and manage your recharges. Whether you're in the city centre or on the motorway, BMW ChargeNow makes electric mobility easier and more convenient.
Charge myHyundai
Charge myHyundai is a charging service that simplifies access to the public charging infrastructure through the Charge myHyundai network. To get started, users can choose from a range of tariff offers tailored to their needs and driving preferences, then register to get started. Once the card has been activated and the Charge myHyundai application downloaded, users have access to over 200,121 charge points across Europe. Using the map, they can easily locate nearby charging points and begin the charging process either with the charge card or via the app.
The advantages of Charge myHyundai include price transparency, international compatibility with recharge points in 23 European countries, total charging convenience thanks to a single contract, a single card and a single application, as well as permanent access to the history of recharges via the online portal. Prices start from €7.49 per month, with a discount of €0.15 per kWh on the recommended retail price. For example, users can top up their Hyundai IONIQ 5 from 10 % to 80 % in 18 minutes on the IONITY network's fast charging stations.
KIA charge easy
Kia Charge Easy is a public charging service designed for drivers of KiaKia Charge Easy will be available to all Kia customers, mainly those who make short journeys and prefer to recharge at home or at work. Unlike other Kia charging options, Kia Charge Easy involves no monthly subscription fee, allowing you to pay as you charge. It offers access to a vast network of almost 48,950 charging points in France, simplified by a single Kia Charge RFID card and a single bill for all recharges.
The recharging process is simple, just plug the vehicle into the charging point and use the Kia Charge RFID card. This service is particularly suitable for occasional drivers and is a practical and economical option for those who want to recharge their vehicle on the road without any monthly commitment.
Mobilize smart charge RENAULT
Mobilize Smart Charge from Renault is an intelligent application specially designed for drivers of compatible Renault electric vehicles to maximise their savings when recharging. The app uses artificial intelligence to automatically schedule charging during off-peak hours, when electricity is cheaper, which can lead to significant savings on electricity bills.
What's more, it encourages the use of renewable energies by recharging the vehicle during periods of high green energy production, such as solar or wind power. Charging is easily managed via the dedicated Mobilize Smart Charge mobile application, and can be linked to Sowee, an EDF subsidiary, to further optimise savings depending on the electricity contract.
This application is compatible with certain recent Renault electric models equipped with a connected multimedia system, including the Twingo E-Tech 100% electric, the ZOE E-Tech 100% electric (produced after 29 October 2020), the Kangoo E-Tech 10% electrical and Megane E-Tech 100% electric.
We charge VOLKSWAGEN
We Charge is the electric recharging service from VolkswagenWe Charge, offering electric vehicle owners a convenient solution for recharging at home and across Europe. With over 600,000 charging points available across the continent, We Charge provides widespread access, enabling users to charge not only at home but also on the move.
The service offers three tariffs tailored to users' individual needs: We Charge Free, with no monthly charge and payment only for electricity consumed; We Charge Go, with a monthly charge of €3.99 offering attractive recharging rates; and We Charge Plus, with a monthly charge of €13.99 offering extended access to the recharging network via the Selected Partner Network. All these tariffs are compatible with Plug & Charge, making recharging easy. Thanks to a dedicated application, users can locate nearby charging points, check their availability and take advantage of the We Charge tariff benefits, while managing their Volkswagen ID user account in a convenient way.
Mercedes me Charge
Mercedes me Charge is a recharging network dedicated to Mercedes-EQ vehicles in France, offering a complete and practical solution for electric vehicle drivers. To begin with, users can choose a tariff to suit their needs and register easily. Once the charging card has been activated and the Mercedes me application downloaded, they have access to a vast network of 200,121 charging points across Europe. Finding nearby charging points is made easy thanks to a map, the app or the MBUX system from Mercedes-Benz. Once there, it's easy to start the charging process using the charge card, the Mercedes me app or the MBUX system.
Mercedes me Charge offers price transparency that makes it easy to track expenditure, as well as a single contract for charging the vehicle in 23 European countries, with quick and easy access to one of the continent's largest charging networks. Charging is totally convenient thanks to a single contract, a single card and a single access point, with the possibility of automatic authentication via the Plug & Charge connection if the required conditions are met.
Users can also check their consumption and bills online via the Mercedes me Charge portal, as well as manage their contracts from home. To quickly find the nearest charging point, drivers can refer to the Mercedes me Charge online map to check rates, compatibility and availability.
NISSAN load
Nissan Charge is a practical solution for owners of electric vehicles NissanIt offers a number of key benefits. Firstly, it gives access to one of the most extensive networks of public charging points in Europe. Using a dedicated app, it's easy to locate charging points and check their availability, with the added bonus of preferential rates across the Nissan network and from participating charging point operators. In addition, a Nissan Charging Badge can be ordered via the app or user portal, greatly simplifying the charging process by enabling use at most European charging points, even where the app does not allow remote control.
The application also offers a no-holds-barred recharging experience, with features such as a search for charging points based on specific criteria, real-time updates on recharging points, personal account management and bill consultation, as well as an integrated interactive map to easily locate recharging stations.
In short, Nissan Charge makes the process of charging Nissan electric vehicles incredibly simple, allowing owners to enjoy their journeys to the full while contributing to a greener future.
Summary table of the different recharging systems offered by car manufacturers
| Service | Main features | Benefits | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Supercharger | Extensive fast-charging network | Recharges in 20-30 minutes | High cost |
| Audi Charging | Access to a fast, alternating current recharging network | Flexible rates and exclusive benefits | Limited geographical coverage |
| BMW ChargeNow | Access to a vast network of recharging points | Single contract and centralised billing | Requires a subscription |
| Charge myHyundai | Pricing tailored to your needs | Access to charging stations in Europe | No fast recharging in France |
| Kia Charge Easy | Refill without subscription | Cost-effective solution for occasional drivers | Limited recharging network |
| Mobilize Smart Charge Renault | Optimising savings on recharging | Encourages the use of renewable energies | Application compatible with certain Renault models only |
| We Charge Volkswagen | Access to an extensive recharging network in Europe | Rates tailored to individual needs | Requires a compatible smartphone |
| Mercedes me Charge | Total recharging convenience with a single contract | Access to a vast network of recharging points | Higher than average rates |
| NISSAN load | Access to an extensive network of charging stations | Intuitive application and recharging badge | Less extensive geographical coverage than some competitors |
The main recharging point networks in France
| Network | Number of terminals | Types of terminal | Cover | Rates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla | 4644 | Superchargers (up to 250 kW) | Mainly along motorways | 0.36 €/kWh |
| Ionity | 1700 | Fast charging stations (up to 350 kW) | Motorways and trunk roads | 0.79 €/kWh |
| TotalEnergies | 1073 | Fast and normal recharging points | National coverage | 0.52 €/kWh (up to 50 kW) |
| Fastned | 300 | Fast charging stations (up to 350 kW) | Mainly along motorways | 0.59 €/kWh |
| Izivia | 8000 | Normal and accelerated charging points | National coverage | 0.40 €/kWh (up to 22 kW) |
| Allego | 15 000+ | Fast and normal recharging points | Europe, including 3,000 in France | From €0.30/kWh |
| Alizé | 3 000+ | Normal and accelerated charging points | France | From €0.25/kWh |
| Driveco | 2 000+ | Fast and normal recharging points | France | From €0.30/kWh |
| EVzen | 1 500+ | Fast and normal recharging points | France | From €0.40/kWh |
| Freshmile | 1 000+ | Fast and normal recharging points | France | From €0.35/kWh |
| KiWhi Pass | 1 000+ | Fast and normal recharging points | France | From €0.29/kWh |
Using a charging point: the main steps to follow
A practical guide to choosing the best charging system for your vehicle
Choosing the right charging system for your electric vehicle is essential for a worry-free driving experience. Here's some useful information to guide you in your choice.
Types of Electric Car Charging Sockets
1. Domestic socket (Mode 1)
La domestic socket is the simplest solution, but it has its limits. It is recommended for top-up charging, but its power is limited to 10A (2.3 kW). This means that recharging from a domestic socket is very slow, especially for electric cars with large-capacity batteries. For example, a Renault ZOE with a battery of 52 kWh would take more than 20 hours to fully charge.
2. Green'Up socket
La Green'Up socket is an improved version of the domestic socket. It offers a charging power of 3.7 kW (16A) and can be easily installed by a technician. However, you will need a Green'Up cable to use it.
3. Type 2 socket
La Type 2 socket is the European standard for alternating current (AC). It is widely used in Europe and can be found in most public charging points and home wall-boxes. It offers higher charging power than the domestic socket.
4. Socket CCS Combo
La CCS Combo socket is designed for rapid direct current (DC) charging at fast and ultra-fast charging points. It is ideal for long journeys, but is not suitable for home installation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when it comes to choosing the charging system for your electric car, it's essential to consider your specific needs, budget and driving habits. Whether you opt for the installation of a home charging point or prefer a charging subscription, make sure you understand the advantages and disadvantages of each option.
What's more, to ease your transition to electric driving and help you with the installation of charging points, Beev is there to support you. Their expertise in electric charging can guide you in choosing the best system for your situation, ensuring a hassle-free and efficient charging experience.
If you would like to find out more about the tax credit for in-car charging points 2024For more information, see our article on this subject.
