While public charging remains one of the major sticking points for electromobility, Luxembourg is rolling out a new tool to remove some of the uncertainty. Called « ChargeCheck », this public platform aims to compare the prices charged at charging stations in Luxembourg and the border regions, in a neutral and easy-to-understand way. This institutional initiative is part of an ecosystem that is already structured, but still complex for the end user.
A public tool to combat pricing opacity
For several years now, Luxembourg has been investing heavily in recharging infrastructure. The public Chargy network, which has been operational since 2017, now covers the entire country and forms the backbone of public charging for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. However, despite this density of charging points, one problem persists: understanding how much it really costs to recharge. Launched by the Klima-Agence and covered by the Luxembourg business press, the platform offers a comparison of charging charges at public charging points, whether AC or DC.
Unlike other existing tools, ChargeCheck stands out for its deliberately neutral approach: prices are displayed regardless of the means of payment used, whether by subscription, RFID card or bank card. Several charging service providers can coexist on the same charging point, and in particular on the Chargy network, each applying their own pricing grids. For users, the final cost often depends more on their contract than on the chargepoint itself, making intuitive comparisons particularly difficult.
Both comparator and location tool
As well as simply comparing prices, ChargeCheck also includes a function for locating charging points. Users can identify the chargepoints available in a given area and compare the associated tariffs. This dual function makes the tool more of a decision-making aid than a simple price table. This is further enhanced by the fact that the service is geographically open. ChargeCheck is not strictly limited to Luxembourg, but also includes border regions.
This is particularly relevant in a country where cross-border mobility is massive, and where many electric motorists cross borders every day to work, for example. In a context where prices can vary greatly from one operator to another, and even from one zone to another, this broader vision means that travel costs can be better anticipated, particularly for long journeys or business trips.
An institutional initiative as part of an overall strategy
ChargeCheck is not an isolated initiative. It is part of a wider strategy of support for electromobility by the Luxembourg authorities. The Klima-Agence is a public body supported by several ministries, including those for the Environment, the Economy and Housing. Its role is precisely to inform and guide individuals and businesses in their energy transition. Until now, Klima-Agence has already offered an official comparator dedicated to private charging stations and management systems, enabling people to choose the right solution for their home, apartment block or business site, while taking account of the support available.
ChargeCheck completes this arsenal, this time focusing on the day-to-day use of public charging, where pricing misunderstandings are most common. The Chargy network continues to play a central role. Developed in collaboration with the distribution network operators, it constitutes an open infrastructure on which various service providers apply their commercial offers. ChargeCheck does not call this model into question, but sets out the pricing consequences for users more clearly.
A further step towards the maturity of electromobility
With ChargeCheck, Luxembourg has taken a new step in structuring its recharging ecosystem. Having invested in infrastructure, then in management tools and access to charging points, the country is now tackling a more subtle but just as decisive challenge: understanding the economics of electric charging. While the platform alone will not resolve the complexity of the market, it will shed light on its mechanisms and give some of the decision-making power back to motorists. In a European context where the issue of public charging is often a source of frustration, this initiative could well prove to be a model.
Sources: Kilma-agence – transports.public.lu
