Study finds differences of up to 809 euros per year in public charging rates
Discrepancies in the costs associated with public charging are indeed significant, potentially leading to a substantial variation in the total annual cost of operating an electric vehicle. A new analysis conducted in Germany calculates that, for the same driver profile, choosing an unsuitable option can increase the bill by up to 809 euros per year.
This figure comes from the 2026 edition of a study on charging networks and rates conducted by Connect and Umlaut, which examined both station operators and the services used to pay for charging sessions. Testing involved extensive driving across various European countries, and financial analyses were based on commercial terms in effect as of September 18, 2026.
The greatest disparity affects those who rely on public charging.
One of the profiles analyzed involves drivers who face difficulties charging their vehicles at home, meaning they rely almost exclusively on the public network for their energy needs. In this scenario, Mercedes’ "MB.Charge Public L" plan entails an estimated annual cost of 1,043 euros, whereas the most expensive alternative examined—offered by Vattenfall—raises that figure to 1,852 euros.
The gap between the two options stands at 809 euros per year, though the results shift significantly when reliance on public stations decreases. For an average driver, the study identifies EWE Go as the lowest-cost option in the scenario presented, with an estimated annual cost of 372 euros.
Notable discrepancies are also observed among drivers who cover long distances. In this scenario, Connect uses a profile based on 25,000 kilometers of annual driving, with 60% of the energy obtained away from home: MB.Charge Public M incurs a cost of €1,790, compared to the €2,425 calculated for ADAC eCharge—a difference of €635.
The cheapest operator also varies depending on the type of charging.
The comparison also covers charging sessions performed directly at a station without a pre-existing specific tariff plan. For alternating current (AC) charging, Aldi Süd, Kaufland, and Lidl emerge as the most cost-effective options according to the study. Additionally, Aldi Süd stands out for High-Power Charging (HPC).
This analysis is part of a more comprehensive study on European infrastructure conducted by Connect and Umlaut. In Germany, test vehicles covered approximately 4,200 kilometers and visited six different locations for each of the nine operators examined. Aral Pulse achieved the best result in the country for the fourth consecutive year, while Smatrics EnBW topped the rankings in Austria.
The results demonstrate that the cost of charging an electric vehicle depends not only on the price advertised by each charging station but also on various factors, such as public network usage, the ratio of alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) charging, and the specific terms applied by each provider. For drivers who do most of their charging away from home, these variables can result in a difference of several hundred euros over the course of a year.
