Opting for an electric car means choosing an ecological, clean, efficient, and much cheaper mode of transport than gasoline, especially considering the exponential rise in fuel prices in Switzerland.
But you still need to know how to choose the right charging station along the road, as the price per kWh can vary by as much as double depending on the region and the provider.
How much does electric charging cost? Our comparison of charging stations and chargers
It's no longer a secret, to charge an electric car, you have three options:
- The standard socket at home: a slow technique with a high risk of overheating
- The wall-mounted car charger (or wallbox): much faster and more secure
- Public charging stations: which allow you to charge your electric vehicle along the road
We will focus on the latter first, comparing different providers based on the price per kWh in Switzerland and the region they are located in. And you'll see, electric car charging prices can vary dramatically!
At public charging stations
Several providers compete in the public charging station market in Switzerland, the main ones being:
- Move
- Ionity
- Evpass
- Energie 360
- Gofast
In addition to varying by provider, the cost of charging an electric car in Switzerland can vary depending on different factors, such as:
- The location of the charging station: the price per kWh in Switzerland can show significant variations depending on the canton or the road you are traveling on
- Charging speed: with rare exceptions, the slower the charge, the lower the price
- Time spent at the charging station: some operators even charge for starting the charge
- Time of day: similar to the price of diesel in Switzerland, the price per kWh can vary depending on the time of day
- Payment method: some charging stations do not have a credit card payment terminal
Warning
According to an analysis conducted by the "On en parle" program, reported by RTS, the cost of charging an electric car in Switzerland can vary greatly on some major roads. It cites the A1 as an example, where the price per kWh can double.
Public charging stations: our comparison of offers in Switzerland
| Operator | Charger Power | Average Price per kWh (CHF) | Annual Subscription Cost | Annual Cost (15,000 km) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Move | 1 to 22 kW 25 kW and above | 0.46 0.59 (+0.25/min after 60 min.) | 58.80 | 1231.80 1851.30 |
| Ionity | 350 kW | 0.56 | 71.88 | 1499.88 |
| Evpass | Less than 22 kW Less than 80 kW More than 80 kW | 0.59 0.79 0.89 | 42 | 1546.50 2056.50 2311.50 |
| Energie 360 | 22 kW | 0.50 (+6 CHF/hour after 6h) | 0 | 1518.84 |
| Gofast | 150 to 300 kW | 0.59 (+0.25/min after 60 min.) | 0 | 1504.50 |
In summary:
- ✅ Move is the cheapest annually if you don't charge beyond 22 kW
- ✅ Ionity has the most expensive monthly subscription, but with ultra-fast charging stations
- ❌ Evpass is by far the most expensive
With a private car charger
If you don't travel long distances, you don't need a public charging station; you can use an electric car charger at home or a traditional socket. But be aware that charging will be slower. Here are your options:
Standard home socket
With a standard socket, at home or in any dwelling, just like charging any other everyday object. An economical option if you're looking to offset the price of your electric car, but slow, very slow (about 10 to 16 hours with a standard socket). It will be better to use this option at night. Furthermore, there is a risk of overheating.
Wall-mounted charger or wallbox
With a wall-mounted car charger or wallbox, which you can connect wherever you want. It works in the same way as a public charging station, with a power of 22 kW, except that you take it with you and connect it wherever you want, subject to a subscription with one of the operators available in Switzerland.
Wallbox (private charging stations): operator comparison
| Operator | Annual Subscription Cost | Price per kWh (CHF) | Annual Cost (15,000 km) |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMP IT | 540 | Geneva: 0.30 Vaud: 0.34 | 1299 |
| Romande Energie Vaud | 1004 | 0.34 | 1938.79 |
| SIG Geneva | 1020 | 0.30 | 1779.90 |
Advantages and disadvantages of public charging stations and wallboxes
| Advantages | Disadvantages | |
|---|---|---|
| Public Charging Stations | • Fast charging (approx. 30 minutes) • No additional cost • Everything covered by the owner | • Often out of order • Locations not always easy to find • Possible roaming charges |
| Private Charging Stations (wallbox) | • Charging immediately available • No need to travel • Equipment provided by the operator | • Installation can take time • Depends on the landowner's agreement |
Why choose an electric car over an internal combustion engine?
Let's remember the basics: opting for an electric car instead of a classic fuel vehicle, whether gasoline or diesel, means moving towards a more virtuous mode of transport, both for the environment and for your savings.
While electricity prices vary by provider and canton, the cost of charging an electric car is almost always lower than driving a gasoline or diesel car, for equal usage.
Where is the cheapest gasoline in Switzerland?
Fuel prices can vary widely from one canton to another. Here are some examples based on data from Comparis.ch:
| Canton | Average Price Unleaded 95 | Average Price Unleaded 98 | Average Price Diesel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geneva | 1.64 | 1.81 | 1.82 |
| Zurich | 1.58 | 1.74 | 1.71 |
| Bern | 1.54 | 1.69 | 1.68 |
| Vaud | 1.59 | 1.75 | 1.79 |
| Grisons | 1.28 | 1.43 | 1.28 |
In conclusion, the cheapest gasoline is always, on average, in the Grisons. The price of diesel in Switzerland can vary by 35% between the canton of Geneva (1.82 CHF) and the Grisons (1.28 CHF).
Electric car prices: Is the investment worth it in the long term?
Here are the generally observed prices for electric cars in Switzerland. We have selected a few brands and models ranked in ascending order of price:
| Model | Observed Price in CHF |
|---|---|
| Renault Twingo E-Tech | 22,900 |
| Smart Fortwo | 27,000 |
| Fiat 500 e 95 hp | 29,000 |
| KIA e-soul electric | 38,500 |
| Tesla Model 3 | 40,000 |
| Tesla Model Y | 42,500 |
| Skoda Enyaq iV | 60,000 |
| Audi Q4 45 e-tron quattro | 68,000 |
| Porsche Taycan 435 hp performance battery plus | 103,000 |
Average comparison between an electric car and a gasoline car
With an average electricity price of 30 centimes/kWh
vs 100 km gasoline (8L at 1.75 CHF/L) = 14 CHF
Savings: 9.50 CHF per 100 km
With an average electricity price of 60 centimes/kWh
vs 100 km gasoline = 14 CHF
Savings: 5 CHF per 100 km
With an average electricity price of 80 centimes/kWh
vs 100 km gasoline = 14 CHF
Savings: 3 CHF per 100 km
Clearly, even with the most expensive electricity and/or the cheapest gasoline, choosing electric remains more advantageous. If we extend this price difference over 10 years (an average of 150,000 km), these savings would be multiplied by 1,500:
• 14,250 CHF with electricity at 30 centimes/kWh
• 7,500 CHF with electricity at 60 centimes/kWh
• 4,500 CHF with electricity at 80 centimes/kWh
Conclusion
Buying an electric car therefore leads to significant savings compared to gasoline vehicles in the long term. The cost of charging an electric car represents such a gain in money compared to combustion vehicles that, whatever the context, the user almost always comes out ahead.
Especially since today, several cantons offer subsidies to potential buyers to offset the vehicle's price.