ANWB warns e-drivers: charging abroad often more expensive

Holidaymakers with an electric car would do well to be alert to unexpectedly high charging costs at slow chargers this summer, warns ANWB. Especially charging points at hotels, restaurants and holiday parks can cause a hefty bill.

The high costs are usually not due to the electricity price itself, but to the so-called blocking tariff: a time-based surcharge that is charged as soon as a car remains at the charging station for too long. Sometimes this charge applies immediately, but often only after a few hours, say after three hours.

The blocking charge should prevent so-called ‘charging station life’. Because there is often no maximum limit, the costs can quickly mount up if a car stays connected for a long time. The ANWB gives the example of a Dutch holidaymaker who plugged his electric car into a public charging station in Italy at 3pm and disconnected it at 9.30am the next morning. The bill amounted to 230 euros.

ANWB therefore advises travellers to always check via their charge card provider’s app whether such a blocking charge applies. “Those who disconnect their car in time not only avoid an unpleasant surprise, but also take into account other electric drivers.”

Average electricity price

The average electricity price per kilowatt hour varies considerably between European countries. Austria is the most expensive with an average of 0.99 euros per kWh, followed by Switzerland (0.88 euros), Germany (0.84 euros) and Italy (0.80 euros). In the Netherlands, tariffs for public charging stations vary, from around 0.30 to 0.75 euro per kWh, depending on the provider.

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