The most common argument for an electric car is cheap running. But what does home charging really cost? The tariff matters more than the car. We calculated the cost per 100 km and per year for five charging methods and compared them with a combustion engine, using Czech 2026 prices with euro equivalents.
How much electricity a car uses
EV consumption is given in kWh per 100 km. Small cars (Dacia Spring, Fiat 500e) use 13 to 15 kWh, compact and mid-size cars (VW ID.3, Škoda Enyaq, Tesla Model 3) 15 to 19 kWh, large SUVs and vans 20 to 28 kWh. In winter add 20 to 30 % for heating and lower battery efficiency. For the calculation we use 18 kWh per 100 km, a typical family EV in an annual average.
When charging at home add losses of 8 to 12 %: part of the energy is lost in the on-board charger and the cable. Per 100 km you therefore draw about 20 kWh from the socket.
Household electricity prices in 2026
The final price per kWh consists of the energy itself (supplier) and the regulated part (distribution, system services, fees). Figures below are for the Czech Republic in 2026, converted at roughly CZK 25 per euro; other EU countries range from about EUR 0.15 (Nordics, Hungary) to EUR 0.35 (Germany, Denmark) per kWh.
| Tariff / method | Price per kWh incl. VAT | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Standard single tariff (D02d) | CZK 6.0 to 7.5 (EUR 0.24 to 0.30) | most flats and houses without storage heating |
| Dual tariff D57d, low rate (20 hours a day) | about CZK 4.1 (EUR 0.16) | ČEZ 2026: CZK 4.07 low, 6.91 high |
| Dual tariff D57d, high rate | about CZK 6.9 (EUR 0.28) | 4 hours a day, charging avoids them |
| Spot (dynamic) tariff, night hours | CZK 2.5 to 4.5 (EUR 0.10 to 0.18) | fluctuates, good for overnight charging |
| Surplus from own photovoltaics | CZK 1 to 2 (EUR 0.04 to 0.08 lost feed-in) | see the article on solar charging |
| Public AC charger | CZK 8 to 12 (EUR 0.32 to 0.48) | for comparison |
| Public DC fast charger | CZK 12 to 18 (EUR 0.48 to 0.72) | for comparison |
Calculation: the cost of 100 km and a year of driving
| Charging method | Price per kWh | 100 km (20 kWh) | 15,000 km a year | 25,000 km a year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard tariff | CZK 6.8 (EUR 0.27) | CZK 136 (EUR 5.4) | CZK 20,400 (EUR 816) | CZK 34,000 (EUR 1,360) |
| Low rate D57d | CZK 4.1 (EUR 0.16) | CZK 82 (EUR 3.3) | CZK 12,300 (EUR 492) | CZK 20,500 (EUR 820) |
| Spot tariff, night | CZK 3.5 (EUR 0.14) | CZK 70 (EUR 2.8) | CZK 10,500 (EUR 420) | CZK 17,500 (EUR 700) |
| Solar 50 % + D57d 50 % | CZK 2.8 (EUR 0.11) | CZK 56 (EUR 2.2) | CZK 8,400 (EUR 336) | CZK 14,000 (EUR 560) |
| Petrol 7 l/100 km, CZK 37/l | - | CZK 259 (EUR 10.4) | CZK 38,850 (EUR 1,554) | CZK 64,750 (EUR 2,590) |
| Diesel 6 l/100 km, CZK 36/l | - | CZK 216 (EUR 8.6) | CZK 32,400 (EUR 1,296) | CZK 54,000 (EUR 2,160) |
The difference between the standard tariff and D57d at 15,000 km is about EUR 320 a year. That is more than the price difference between a basic and a smart wallbox, which enables the tariff change and schedules charging into the low rate by itself.
What makes home charging more expensive, and what does not
- A 230 V socket instead of a wallbox: same price per kWh but higher losses (up to 20 %) and a risk of overheating the socket. Not recommended long term.
- High rate. Without scheduling you may charge exactly in the 4 high-rate hours. A SMART wallbox shifts the charging.
- Reserved capacity. If you upgrade the main fuse for 22 kW, you pay a higher monthly fee. With 11 kW it is usually not needed.
- Pre-heating and air conditioning from the grid before departure increases consumption but protects the battery and is comfortable.
How to find your own price per kWh from the bill
Price lists quote energy per MWh excluding VAT and the regulated items separately, so few people know their final price per kWh. Procedure: on the annual statement find the total amount for electricity including VAT (without advances and refunds) and the total consumption in kWh. Divide the two and you have your average price per kWh. With a dual tariff calculate the low rate separately: energy at low rate plus distribution at low rate plus a proportional share of taxes and fees. Multiply the car's consumption by that price, because charging will be scheduled into the low rate.
Spot tariff: for whom yes, for whom no
A spot (dynamic) tariff follows hourly exchange prices. At night and around sunny midday the energy price drops below EUR 0.04 per kWh; in the evening peak it exceeds EUR 0.20. For an EV this is ideal: the car sits at night and a smart wallbox charges in the cheapest hours automatically. The average charging price then comes to EUR 0.10 to 0.14 per kWh including the regulated part. A spot tariff does not suit you if you have no consumption control and plug in right after arriving at 6 p.m., the most expensive time. It also requires an interval (smart) meter, which the distributor installs on request.
Winter operation: allow a margin
From November to March EV consumption rises 20 to 30 % due to heating and lower battery efficiency. From 18 kWh per 100 km it becomes 22 to 24 kWh. On annual costs that is EUR 60 to 100 extra. Pre-heating the cabin and battery from the grid while the car is plugged in reduces consumption while driving and is cheaper than heating from the battery. A SMART wallbox allows scheduled charging to finish just before departure so the battery is warm.
How to cut charging costs to a minimum
- Apply for an EV or night tariff right when installing the wallbox.
- Charge on the low rate; the SMART wallbox schedules charging and avoids the high rate.
- If you have photovoltaics, switch on Eco mode and use the surplus. Details in Wallbox and photovoltaics.
- Consider a spot tariff if you can charge in the cheapest hours. A smart wallbox does it for you.
- Track consumption in the IONT.info app: metering at the charging point shows the exact cost of the car, useful for company billing too.
Want a wallbox that charges in the cheapest hours?
The e:car WALL SMART meters consumption, schedules charging into the low rate and uses solar surplus. From CZK 21,900 (about EUR 880) excl. VAT.
Summary in five points
- 100 km on home electricity costs EUR 2.2 to 5.4 depending on the tariff, on petrol EUR 10.4.
- An EV or night tariff with a low rate 20 hours a day cuts the charging price to about EUR 0.16 per kWh and applies to the whole house.
- A spot tariff with a smart wallbox pushes the price below EUR 0.14 per kWh; without charging control it is not worth it.
- Photovoltaics cover part of the consumption at the price of lost feed-in, EUR 0.04 to 0.08 per kWh.
- At 15,000 km a year you save EUR 800 to 1,200 against petrol, and a wallbox with metering proves it.
Často kladené otázky
How much does it cost to charge an electric car at home?
At the Czech low rate of about EUR 0.16 per kWh a 60 kWh battery costs about EUR 11, at the standard tariff of EUR 0.27 about EUR 18. Per 100 km home charging costs EUR 3.3 to 5.4 depending on the tariff.
How much is 1 kWh of household electricity in 2026?
In the Czech Republic EUR 0.24 to 0.30 at the standard tariff, about EUR 0.16 at the D57d low rate, EUR 0.10 to 0.18 at night on a spot tariff. Other EU countries range from about EUR 0.15 to 0.35.
How do I get the EV tariff?
In the Czech Republic you apply to the distributor through your supplier; the basis is the inspection report of the installed charging station. The rate then applies to the whole household, with the low rate 20 hours a day. Many other countries offer similar EV or night tariffs.
Is home charging cheaper than a public charger?
Significantly. At home you pay EUR 0.16 to 0.28 per kWh, at a public AC charger EUR 0.32 to 0.48 and at a fast charger EUR 0.48 to 0.72. At 15,000 km a year the difference is EUR 600 to 1,200.
How much do I save against petrol?
At 15,000 km a year electricity at the low rate costs about EUR 490, petrol at 7 l/100 km and EUR 1.48/l about EUR 1,550. The saving is roughly EUR 1,000 a year.
Will a wallbox increase my fixed grid fee?
An 11 kW wallbox usually fits within the existing 3× 25 A main fuse and the fee does not change. An upgrade is needed only for 22 kW or several stations.