The electrification of mobility is facing serious challenges in Europe, where fast-charging (DC) prices are at record highs. In Germany, the average cost of a kWh has exceeded 4.30 lei, and the scenario looks bleak for Romania, where the removal of the price cap will significantly affect electric vehicle users.
The electric car industry, underpinned by ambitious policies at European level, is facing a wave of user dissatisfaction due to the rising cost of charging. According to the latest data from Edison’s Charging Radar, the average price for DC fast charging in Germany has reached 87 cents (about 4.30 lei) per kWh, up from 75 cents in the previous period. On highways, prices even reach €1.37 per kWh, raising serious questions about the economic viability of electric vehicles.
The real costs of using an electric vehicle
For a modern electric car with an 80 kWh battery and a range of about 250 km on the highway, it costs 350 lei to fully charge at stations in Germany. So a 600km trip from Bucharest to Arad requires about 160 kWh, which costs 700 lei. By comparison, a premium diesel car consumes about 64 liters of diesel for the same distance, at a cost of about 460 lei, and offers an additional range of at least 400 km. The significant differences in cost and range create a dilemma for users considering switching to electric vehicles. Romania, ahead of a wave of price hikes
In Romania, the average cost of charging is lower, at around 3.0 lei per kWh, but the prospect of the energy price cap being lifted in February 2025 brings uncertainty. Experts estimate increases of 30-50% in charging tariffs, affecting both public stations and households. Although Romania does not yet have a vast infrastructure like Germany, with more than 154,000 charging stations, users need to prepare for a period of rising costs, which could make electric cars less attractive. Challenges and the future of electric mobility
Germany’s highways and specific high consumption conditions highlight the limits of electric vehicles under real-world conditions. In addition, the rising electricity price curve is putting pressure on users, raising questions about the economic feasibility of the transition to electric mobility in the current European context. As costs continue to rise, the automotive industry will have to find innovative solutions to ensure the competitiveness of electric vehicles, especially in countries such as Romania, where the market is still developing.