Public charging for electric vehicles is characterised by a high degree of price opacity and sometimes considerable price differences – of up to 190 per cent – depending on the payment method chosen or the location of the charging point. The CLCV, which has conducted an in-depth two-year investigation into these pricing data across the whole of the country, is calling in particular for greater price transparency and standardised information for customers
A difference of up to 190 per cent depending on the payment method
Over a two-year period, the CLCV (Consumer Affairs, Housing and Living Environment) studied the tariffs set for more than 200,000 charging points across France. This extensive study shows that the cost of charging at a publicly accessible charging point depends heavily on the method of access and payment used. For example, for the same three-phase AC charge, a motorist may pay as little as €0.36 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) via direct access (known as ‘ad hoc’), whilst some mobility operators charge up to €1.033/kWh. This difference can be as high as 190 per cent.
The consumer protection organisation highlights a kind of ‘price lottery’, in which the choice of access method becomes the determining factor in the amount of the bill. In the Nord region, for example, the average difference is 45 per cent. Two motorists charging at the same charging point at the same time will be charged very differently depending on whether they pay directly by bank card or use a specific operator’s app or badge.
Prices have risen by 30 to 40 per cent in two years
Between 2024 and 2026, some direct-access top-ups saw price rises of up to 30 per cent, whilst certain packages marketed by mobility operators rose by nearly 40 per cent. These increases are linked to infrastructure roll-out: grid connection, roadworks, maintenance, etc. The more players there are in the value chain, the more pricing strategies fluctuate.
Significant inequalities across different regions
Another finding of this study is that price differences appear to be very marked at a local level. Within the same department and for the same charging network, price differences exceed 100 per cent and can reach over 200 per cent between the cheapest and most expensive charging points. Take the Alpes-Maritimes, for example, where prices at 22 kW charging points operated by the same provider range from €0.328 to €1.162 per kWh – a difference of 255 per cent. The same is true in the Hauts-de-Seine department, where rates range from €0.270 to €0.960 per kWh for another network. This exacerbates inequalities in access to affordable charging.
Complex billing for users
Faced with these unpredictable price levels, not only are users clearly at a disadvantage, but the billing methods are also complex, according to the CLCV. Depending on the network, charging may be billed per kWh, per minute or as a flat rate per session. Not to mention additional charges such as connection fees, parking charges or roaming charges. All these factors prevent any meaningful comparison between offers and undermine consumers’ ability to make informed choices.
This contrasts with the fuel market, where prices are legally displayed in a standardised manner, allowing for comparison between petrol stations.
Towards a simplification of the fee structures?
The CLCV is therefore calling on the public authorities and stakeholders in this sector to improve the transparency of public charging prices. The rules on price information must be more harmonised and better enforced, particularly for charging points with a capacity of less than 50 kW, which make up the bulk of the publicly accessible network.
The methods of payment for charging must also remain simple and universally accepted, such as a bank card, to reduce reliance on dedicated apps or badges. The association is also calling for a simplification of pricing structures, with the price per kWh clearly displayed as the main reference point. If necessary, a public charging price monitoring body should be set up to prevent any abuse.
As the vehicle fleet continues to become increasingly electric, transparency and clarity regarding public charging prices are a key challenge in encouraging public uptake and the energy transition.
