In 2025, electric cars will still have a financial advantage
The government assures us that e-cars still have a ‘financial advantage’ compared to combustion cars. The topic came up for discussion because electricity prices have risen by an average of 30 per cent this year after the partial suspension of the energy price cap. Without the government’s decision to provide subsidies for households, the price of electricity would have risen by as much as 60 per cent.
In addition, a new tariff structure for grid usage has been introduced. It is designed to reduce the simultaneous use of appliances in a household and prevent the washing machine, oven and stove from being used while an electric car is charging. This should help to avoid consumption peaks, which are occurring more and more frequently and sometimes lead to bottlenecks in the grid.
The new fee structure, in combination with rising electricity prices, appears to place a particular financial burden on households that use appliances or vehicles that contribute to decarbonisation, such as electric cars and heat pumps. For these households, it is difficult to avoid using appliances at the same time. As a result, their electricity bills are likely to be higher.
Increase depends on household
Statec data shows that even if the price of electricity for private customers rises by an average of 30% in 2025, the impact of the changes will vary from household to household, depending on the electrical appliances used. For a medium-sized household without an electric vehicle or heat pump, whose annual consumption is around 3,900 kWh, the price increase will be just under 30%.
According to the statistics office, households with heat pumps can expect an increase of just over 30 per cent. Those who charge their electric vehicles at an 11 kW wallbox will be affected even more, with an increase of up to 50 per cent. Those who limit the charging power to 3 kW can expect an increase of around 35 per cent.
Electric vehicles remain profitable
In view of these price developments and in comparison to a combustion engine, is an electric vehicle still worthwhile? The government says yes, if you take the state subsidy into account. According to their estimates, the costs for a household in a detached house are lower with an electric vehicle than with a combustion engine if the total annual consumption is around 7,000 kWh.
A household with a petrol car pays 820 euros more per year than a household with an electric car that is charged at 11 kW, and 950 euros more with a charging capacity of 5.5 kW. To a lesser extent, this also applies to diesel: here the additional costs compared to an electric vehicle are 530 euros for a charging capacity of 11 kW and as much as 660 euros for a charging capacity of 5.5 kW.
The government assures that users with ‘powerful electrical appliances’ (such as an electric vehicle) can limit the increase in electricity costs and avoid consumption peaks. This is to be achieved by proactively managing their consumption, for example by not using appliances at the same time or by reducing the charging power of the electric vehicle.
Chargy prices skyrocket
Of course, this is only possible if car owners have a wallbox. The electricity price subsidy is only available to private households. As of 1 January 2025, the electricity at public charging stations of the Chargy type is no longer subsidised. Charging service providers have therefore automatically passed on the increase in the electricity price to their fees.
One example is Sudstroum: ‘The government has decided to stop subsidising the Chargy tariffs. Sudstroum has therefore adjusted the pricing structure for the E-Mobility charging cards accordingly.’ The electricity provider explains that new prices have been in force since 1 March 2025. At Chargy stations, they have been increased from 36 cents/kWh in 2024 to 48 cents/kWh this year, and at SuperChargy stations, they have even increased from 48.50 cents/kWh to 62 cents/kWh. This corresponds to a price increase of almost a third. Enovos raised the price on 1 January to 49 cents/kWh at Chargy columns and to 63 cents/kWh at SuperChargy columns.
These electricity prices significantly exceed the cost of charging at home, where the price of electricity is set to remain at 28.2 cents/kWh thanks to government support for households, according to the government. It is uncertain what will happen after 2025. State aid will be granted until 31 December and, as far as circumstances permit, will be completely eliminated from 2026.
Tags
