See all Motoring NewsA new study conducted by Switcher.ie has ranked the cost of charging an electric car in each country in Europe. The research used the latest data from Eurostat, which determined the costs of at-home EV charging across Europe for the top 25 bestselling battery electric cars.
The study revealed that the average cost to fully-charge in Europe in 2024 was €13.83, while a 100-km road trip cost €3.79.
Ireland was ranked as the 3rd most expensive country to charge an electric car, costing €24.14 per full charge, with Germany being the most expensive with costs as high as €25.73 per full charge.
Turkey, Georgia and Kosovo are the cheapest countries to power an electric car, with a full charge costing as little as €4.05.
An interesting finding from Switcher was that the average EV charging costs in Ireland had minimal change compared to 2023, while countries like France and Poland experienced steep hikes.
On average, a full charge in Europe costs 4% of net weekly income, with Romanians having to part with 7.4% of their weekly income to charge their EV. This is in contrast to Norwegians, who only spend 1.4% of their weekly pay to power their cars.
Top 10 most expensive countries to charge an electric car in Europe
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Top 10 cheapest countries to charge an electric car in Europe
The cheapest places in Europe to run an electric vehicle are primarily in central and southeastern Europe, where EV ownership is less popular.
These countries tend to have lower sales and a smaller EV market share due to the prohibitive costs of many electric and hybrid vehicles. They are also less affordable to run when costs are set against median earnings.
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Eoin Clarke, Commercial Director of Switcher.ie commented: "Switcher.ie's latest study shows that while the average cost of charging an electric vehicle at home has levelled off, significant price differences persist across the EU, with some countries, like Ireland, still enduring high prices while others are enjoying falling costs. The differing price trends likely stem from the withdrawal of government support brought in during the energy crisis (some of which were more generous than others) and ongoing conflicts, which impact countries differently.
Although electricity prices haven't returned to pre-pandemic lows, the worst of the energy crisis appears to be over, and EV running costs are still nowhere near as financially draining as petrol or diesel cars.
The electric car market saw a downturn during 2024, as many governments phased out initiatives like purchase grants and tax benefits, but the first half of 2025 has seen EV sales shift into high gear, with purchases up by 26% in Ireland and 24% across the EU.
Notably, Spain, Italy, and Czechia have experienced a surge in sales of up to 140%, while Belgium, Germany, and the Scandinavian countries are enjoying a resurgence, with only France bucking the upward trend.
Now that EV prices are falling, the second-hand EV market is gathering steam, and charging infrastructure is improving, it could be time to consider the switch. Make sure you do your research beforehand, though; shop around for the best deal, take advantage of any grants and incentives, and look out for smart energy plans and car insurance designed especially for electric vehicle owners."