Electric vehicle: how to recharge and cost

Charging the electric car: how important is charging at home?

Most charging of an electric car, about 95 per cent, takes place from the comfort of home. This is because it is more practical and economical than public charging points, allowing you to leave each day with a full battery. But how much do you charge in an hour? The key figure to know is how many kilometres are covered with one kilowatt-hour (kWh) of energy. On average, an electric car travels about 5/6 km with 1 kWh. With a typical household socket, which provides about 3 kW of power, about 15 km of range is recharged in one hour (3 kWh x 5 km/kWh = 15 km). If you have a more powerful wallbox, e.g. 7 kW, you can recharge up to 35 km in one hour. This information is useful for calculating the time needed for daily recharging. For example, if you travel 50 km per day, a 5-hour recharge with a standard socket is sufficient. Understanding the charging speed helps you to plan your time better and to make the most of the advantages of home charging, which is also cheaper than public charging. Smart charging management really makes a difference in everyday life with an electric car.

How to find the charging points and which one to choose

Today, there are numerous applications that make it easy to find charging stations in Italy and abroad. Apps such as MyEnel, BeCharge, Plugsurfing and Nextcharge make it possible to quickly locate the nearest charging points, indicating not only the location, but also the power output, costs per kWh and the status of the station (whether it is free, busy or out of service). Some of these apps also offer the possibility of reserving the charging point in advance, reducing the risk of arriving and finding it busy. Another useful function of these apps is the possibility to monitor charging in real time. One can see how much energy has been charged, how much is left to go and the accumulated cost. In this way, recharging becomes a clear and predictable operation. Charging stations are mainly divided into two categories: alternating current (AC), which are the slow-charging points, and direct current (DC), which are the fast-charging ones. It is important to note that the actual charging speed depends not only on the power of the station, but also on the maximum power supported by the vehicle charger

How much does it cost to charge an electric car?

The charging cost varies depending on the charging point used and the power output. On average, the cost per kWh is around € 0.45 for slow (AC) charging points and can go up to € 0.60-€ 0.90 for fast (DC) charging ones. This means that fully charging a 50 kWh battery can cost between € 22.50 and € 45. Monthly subscriptions offered by many operators can significantly reduce costs in case of frequent charges. The cost per kWh can drop even below € 0.30 when subscribing, offering significant savings for those who drive many kilometres per month. Let us assume that an electric car consumes 15 kWh to drive 100 km and that the owner drives 1,000 km per month. This means that about 150 kWh of energy is needed. With an average tariff of € 0.45 per kWh, the monthly cost will be approximately € 67.50. A subscription can reduce the cost to around € 45.

Range anxiety: how to deal with it

One of the most common problems among electric vehicle owners is ‘range anxiety’, the fear of not finding an available or working charging point. Fortunately, apps are reducing this kind of stress. Being able to check the availability of a station and book it in advance helps to plan one's trips better. However, it is always useful to have a plan B. For example, carrying a charging card associated with your account. Cards are especially useful in case of problems with the smartphone, such as a missing internet connection. In addition, many cards are interoperable, i.e. they can be used on the charging points of different operators, thus expanding the available options. Compared to a few years ago, recharging an electric vehicle has become much easier. The network of charging stations has expanded and technology has made the process more intuitive. Apps and cards allow recharging to be activated in seconds, and quick stations allow the process to be completed quickly. Another important aspect is that many charging points are located at strategic points, such as motorways, shopping centres and public car parks, making charging accessible even during sudden trips or long journeys. Here are some tips for trouble-free charging: