For electric vehicle drivers, public charging is becoming easier and more accessible than ever. You can find a nearby charger, open an app, tap a charging card, or pay directly by bank card—and start charging within minutes. But there is an increasingly important question that many EV drivers overlook:
Why can the same EV charging station cost significantly more depending on how you pay?
The answer is related to EV Charging Roaming.
A recent study in Austria has highlighted just how significant these price differences can be. According to ÖAMTC, the same charging point could cost almost 2.5 times more in extreme cases, depending on the charging card used. The study also found that consumer prices could differ by almost €0.70 per kWh.
Importantly, these figures come from a study of 18 major charging operators in Austria, not the entire European market. ÖAMTC is calling for further investigation into whether similar pricing and transparency issues exist across other European countries.
So, what exactly is EV Charging Roaming❓ Why can the same charger have different prices❓ And how can drivers avoid unnecessary charging costs❓
🟩What Is EV Charging Roaming?
EV Charging Roaming allows an electric vehicle driver to use a charging station operated by one company through the account, app, or charging card of another company. It works in a similar way to mobile phone roaming.
For example, imagine you are driving an EV from France to Germany.
You stop at a public charging station operated by Company A. However, your EV charging card belongs to Company B.
If Companies A and B have a roaming agreement, you can still start charging using your Company B charging card.
This is one of the biggest advantages of EV charging roaming in Europe. Instead of downloading a new app and creating a new account every time you encounter a different charging network, one charging service can give you access to multiple networks. That makes cross-border EV charging much more convenient.
This is the most important thing for EV drivers to understand about charging roaming.
Imagine that Charging Operator A owns and operates a public charging station.
You may be able to use that charger through several different payment methods:
- The operator's own app
- The operator's own charging card
- A third-party EV charging roaming card
- A car manufacturer's charging service
- A third-party charging app
- Direct credit or debit card payment
The physical charging station is exactly the same. The vehicle is exactly the same. The electricity delivered to the vehicle is also the same.
But the charging tariff may differ.
For example: If you use the charging operator's own app or charging card, you may receive its direct customer tariff: 0.50€/kWh, while the third-party provider needs to settle the charging transaction with the original network and may include additional service or roaming costs. Maybe 0.70€/kWh, or potentially more.
🟩How Much Can EV Charging Prices Differ?
The numbers from the Austrian study are particularly interesting. ÖAMTC commissioned Arthur D. Little to examine the Austrian public charging market, covering 18 of the largest charging operators and comparing different payment and charging-service models.
The study found several notable differences: Almost 2.5× between the Cheapest and Most Expensive Option. At the same charging point, the price could be almost 2.5 times higher than the cheapest price in extreme cases.
This is an extreme finding rather than a typical price difference across every charger.
The maximum consumer price difference observed in the study was almost 0.70€/kWh. For an EV that needs 50 kWh: 50 × 0.70€ = 35€
A price difference that looks small on a per-kWh basis can therefore become significant during a long journey.
In around 90% of the cases studied, external charging services were more expensive than the charging operator's own customer price.
The maximum additional charge reached approximately: 118%
This figure refers specifically to the surcharge of an external charging service compared with the operator's own customer price.
🔔Again, these results come from the Austrian market and should not be interpreted as a Europe-wide average. ÖAMTC is calling for further investigation into whether similar problems exist across Europe.
Why Do Many EV Drivers Not Notice the Difference?
One reason is that public EV charging prices are not always easy to compare.
When drivers see a charging station advertised as:
- 150 kW
- 200 kW
- 300 kW
- 350 kW
- HPC
- Ultra-Fast Charging
The focus naturally goes to charging speed. But charging speed is only one part of the equation. The number that directly affects your energy cost is: €/kWh
And with EV charging roaming, the payment method can also affect that price.
A common mistake is to assume that a higher charging power always means a better charging station.
For example:
Charger A:150 kW, 0.55€/kWh
Charger B: 300 kW, 0.85€/kWh
If your vehicle can only accept around 150 kW under the current charging conditions, paying significantly more for a 300 kW charger may not provide a meaningful benefit.
Suppose you need 40 kWh:
Charger A: 40 × 0.55€ = 22€
Charger B: 40 × 0.85€ = 34€
Difference: 12€ for one charging session
For drivers who regularly use public fast chargers, these differences can add up over the course of a year.
That is why EV charging cost, charging speed, and vehicle charging capability should always be considered together.
🟩How to Avoid Overpaying for Public EV Charging?
The good news is that EV drivers can take several simple steps to reduce unnecessary charging costs.
1️⃣Check the Price per kWh
When comparing public chargers, do not only look at 150 kW / 250 kW / 350 kW
Look for: €/kWh
This is the key number for comparing electricity costs.
2️⃣ Compare Different Payment Methods
If a charging station supports several payment options, compare them when practical:
- Operator's own app
- Operator's charging card
- Third-party charging roaming card
- Car manufacturer's charging service
- Direct credit/debit card payment
- The cheapest option can vary depending on the charging network.
3️⃣Check the Price Before Starting
Do not wait until after charging to discover the final tariff.
Before plugging in, check: Price per kWh + any additional fees + payment method
This is especially important when travelling abroad.
4️⃣Plan Long-Distance Charging in Advance
If you are planning a 500 km, 800 km, or 1,000 km EV road trip, consider checking charging prices before you leave. A slightly slower charger with a lower price may sometimes be a better choice than the fastest available charger.
🟩Home EV Charging Makes Things Simpler
In addition to charging at public charging stations, you can also consider using a home charger. Instead of comparing different public networks every time you need energy, you can charge your EV at home using your own electricity supply. You know:
- Where you are charging
- Which electricity tariff you are using
- Which charger you are using
- How much power is available
For everyday driving, this can make EV charging much more predictable.
🅿️Public fast charging is particularly useful for: Long-distance travel, road trips and occasional top-ups.
🏠Home charging is generally more suitable for: Daily commuting, overnight charging and routine vehicle use.
The two solutions are not competitors—they complement each other.
🟩The Future of EV Charging Roaming: More Transparency
The growth of EV charging roaming is an important step toward making electric vehicle travel across Europe easier. But convenience needs to be matched with transparency. The key question is no longer simply:
“Where can I charge?”
It is increasingly: “Where can I charge, how fast can I charge, and how much will I pay?”
EU regulations already address aspects of public charging price transparency and payment requirements. At the same time, ÖAMTC has called for further investigation into competition and pricing transparency in European charging markets. As the European EV charging network continues to expand, drivers will likely pay more attention not only to the number of charging stations, but also to:
- Charging price transparency
- EV charging roaming
- €/kWh pricing
- Payment options
- Cross-border charging
- Home EV charging
🚨Tips: Before starting your next charging session, check three things: Can I use this charger❓ How fast can my EV charge❓ How much will I pay per kWh❓
And for everyday driving, consider whether home EV charging can reduce your dependence on public fast-charging networks. The smartest EV charging strategy is not always the fastest one. It is the one that fits your vehicle, your journey, your electrical setup—and your budget.
