Public charging prices have never been harder to read. Here is, network by network, what you really pay per kWh in 2026 — and how to stop plugging in at random.
Why prices vary so much
Public charging is not price-regulated. Every operator sets its own per-kWh rate, sometimes topped up with a subscription, connection fees and parking surcharges. The result: two neighbouring stations can charge €0.29 and €0.69 per kWh.
The network ranking
On average, supermarket stations and some retail chains remain the cheapest, while premium ultra-fast networks bill you for the convenience of raw power:
- Cheapest — supermarket and local retail stations, usually slow to standard charging.
- Mid-range — regional networks and destination chargers.
- Most expensive — premium ultra-fast networks along major routes.
But averages hide huge local variations — which is exactly why comparing station by station pays off.
How to pay less
The golden rule: never plug in without comparing first. A detour of a few hundred metres can halve your bill on a full charge. That is precisely what goodcharge computes for you, in real time.