"So, what does it really cost to charge an electric car?" It is a question we hear daily at Blulinc, and the honest answer is: it depends. Unlike refueling at a fixed price per liter, the cost of charging your electric car can vary significantly.

The most important factor? Where you plug in the connector. Charging at home is invariably the cheapest option, while public charging stations are the most expensive. To put it in perspective: a full charge for an average electric car with a 60 kWh-battery costs you approximately at home €18. The same charging session at a public fast charger can easily run to more than €45.

A clear overview of charging costs in Belgium

When considering the switch to electric driving, operating costs are one of the most important considerations. The price you pay for electricity is not as straightforward as the price at the pump. It is influenced by various factors, but the location of the charging point is by far the most important.

In Belgium, we generally speak of three main charging locations, each with its own price tag:

• Charging at home: This is your most budget-friendly option. You simply pay the rate stipulated in your energy contract.
• Charging at work: Many companies take out business energy contracts at more favorable rates, making this a very cost-effective way for employees to charge their cars.
• Public charging: The costs at public charging stations are the highest. This is because the price also includes the operator's operational costs, maintenance, and sometimes additional costs for starting a session or occupancy time.

The base unit for all charging costs is the price per kilowatt-hour (kWh). This rate is determined by your home energy supplier, your employer's contract at the office, or the Charge Point Operator (CPO) that manages the public charging station.

The charging speed also has an impact on the price.

Another crucial factor influencing the price is the charging speed. We make a clear distinction between standard AC charging (alternating current) and the much faster DC fast charging (direct current).

AC chargers are the type you typically find at home, at the office, or in a shopping mall. They charge your car more slowly but are significantly cheaper to use. DC fast chargers, perfect for a quick charging stop during a long drive, deliver a lot of power in a short time, but you pay a higher price for that speed.

Based on recent figures for 2024, public AC charging in Belgium typically costs between €0,40 and €0,60 per kWh (for 11-22 kW chargers). DC fast chargers (50-150 kW), on the other hand, will cost you €0,65 to €0,85 per kWh.

When you compare that with home charging, which on average only €0,25 to €0,35 per kWh cost, the savings become immediately apparent. This is precisely why a smart charging strategy – using charging at home or at work as the primary method – is crucial to keeping your total costs low. You can find more information about price trends for public charging and how to lower your costs in Go-Electra's latest overview.

Remember: A full charge for a typical 60 kWh battery at home costs only €15 to €21. You already pay for the same amount of energy at a public AC station. €24 to €36.

To give you a clearer picture, we have summarized the average charging costs in Belgium below.

EV charging costs in Belgium at a glance (2024)

This table provides a quick comparison of the typical cost per kWh for charging an electric car at home, at work, and at public AC and DC stations in Belgium.

As you can see, planning where and when you charge can make a significant difference to your monthly expenses.

The anatomy of your charging invoice

When you connect an electric car to a public charging station, you pay for more than just the electricity. The final price on your bill is a combination of various components. You can think of it as a cross between a parking meter and a fuel pump: you pay for the energy you consume, but sometimes also for the time you occupy the 'parking space'.

For every fleet manager, it is crucial to understand these components. It is the only way to accurately predict your total charging costs and avoid unpleasant surprises on the invoice. Without this insight, a seemingly cheap charging session can quickly turn into an expensive one.

This infographic shows the three primary locations where you charge your electric car. Each location serves a different purpose, which directly affects the price structure.

As you can see, the choice between home, public AC charging, or fast DC charging depends on what you need at that moment. And each option has its own way of calculating the costs.

The various cost components

The question "how much does it cost to charge an electric car?" becomes more complex when you look at the different pricing models. Let's break down the most common items on a public charging bill.

• Price per kWh: This is the most straightforward, just like paying per liter of fuel. You pay a fixed price for every kilowatt-hour (kWh) of energy supplied to your car's battery.
• Start rate (Connection Fee): Some Charge Point Operators (CPOs) charge a fixed fee to start a charging session. This is a one-time cost that you pay every time you plug in, regardless of how long you charge or how much energy you consume.
• Price per minute (time-based rate): In addition to the energy cost, you may also be charged per minute. This is particularly common at DC fast chargers to encourage drivers to move on as soon as they have sufficient charge, so that the charger becomes available for the next person.
• Occupancy rate (Idle Fees): These are charges that apply if your car remains plugged in after the battery is fully charged. The goal is to discourage 'charging station hogging' and keep the stations available for others who need to charge.

The combination of these costs determines the final price.A charging station with a low kWh price but a high starting fee can end up being more expensive for a short charge than a station with a higher kWh price and no starting fee.

The role of subscriptions and roaming costs

When your employees charge on the go, they use a charging card from an e-Mobility Service Provider (e-MSP), such as Blulinc. This card gives them access to an extensive network of charging points from various CPOs. However, that convenience can sometimes come with so-called 'roaming charges'.

Roaming charges are additional fees that an e-MSP may charge for using a charger that is not part of their direct network. As a result, the price for the exact same charging session can vary depending on which charging card you use. Some cards with a monthly subscription may offer lower rates on certain networks, but this is not guaranteed.

That is why choosing a charging card that offers full transparency is so important. The Blulinc app, for example, always shows you the applicable rate. before You start charging, so there are no surprises. It gives you full control over the charging costs during every public session.

For a deeper dive into how these rates, such as the CREG rate, are determined, you can read our article about how the CREG tariff for charging stations is calculated. Our integrated solution ensures that you benefit from a vast network with clear, predictable billing, significantly simplifying your fleet management.

Charging at home and at work: the smartest choice

The question "how much does it cost to charge an electric car?" has a surprisingly simple answer if you look at where you park most often: at home and at work. It is no coincidence that these are the smartest and most affordable places to charge your car.

The logic is simple. At home and at work, you pay the standard residential or commercial electricity rate. This is significantly lower than what you pay at public charging stations, which have to pass on their operating costs, maintenance, and a profit margin. Therefore, you charge at a much more direct and lower kWh price.

Even with the rapid growth of public charging stations – Belgium already had more than 40,000 by early 2024 – the cost picture remains clear. Public AC rates fluctuate around €0,40-€0,60/kWh, and DC fast charging quickly costs €0,65-€0,85/kWh. Compare that to charging at home, where the price is often between €0,25-€0,35/kWh lies. Financially, the choice is quickly made.

The price difference in practice

Let's make this concrete. Take a popular company car like the Tesla Model 3 Long Range with a battery of approximately 75 kWh.

• Charging at home: A full battery costs you approximately €22,50 (75 kWh x €0,30/kWh).
• Public fast charging: The same charging session at a DC fast charger quickly costs €56,25 (75 kWh x €0,75/kWh).

That is a direct saving of €33,75 for a single charge. Suppose an employee fully charges their car weekly. Then a home or work charging option yields annual savings of more than €1.700 compared to public loading only.

The benefits for companies and employees

Offering charging stations at work is no longer a nice perk; it has become a strategic necessity.It forms a crucial part of a modern mobility policy and is a strong argument for attracting and retaining talent, especially now that tax benefits for fossil fuel cars are being phased out.

Moreover, the Belgian government makes the investment attractive with tax benefits. For companies, the purchase and installation of charging infrastructure is up to 150% tax-deductible under certain conditions, which significantly lowers the threshold.

By providing charging stations at work, you offer your employees not only convenience but also a tangible financial benefit. In this way, you transform an operational cost into an investment in your staff and your sustainable image.

The only obstacle is sometimes the initial investment, especially if the electrical installation at home is insufficient and upgrading your power capacity is necessary. Fortunately, at Blulinc we also have a solution for the biggest challenge for employers: administration.

Automated reimbursement: an end to administration

How do you correctly reimburse an employee for electricity consumed at home for the company car? Separating consumption from the rest of the household is an administrative nightmare, and manual expense reports are cumbersome and prone to errors.

Our smart charging solutions take this burden completely off your shoulders. The process is simple:

1. Installation: We install a smart, certified charging station at your employee's home.
2. Measurement: This charging station measures the exact consumption for the car, completely separate from the household.
3. Data processing: The charging data is automatically sent to our platform.
4. Refund: We handle the automatic reimbursement to the employee, based on a predetermined rate such as the CREG rate.

As an employer, you receive one clear monthly invoice. Your employee is reimbursed correctly and on time, without any hassle. This is how we make a complex and fiscally sensitive process effortless and efficient. Read more about the benefits in our article about a home charging point for your electric car.

How do Belgian charging costs compare to Europe?

The question "how much does it cost to charge an electric car?" takes on a new dimension when you look beyond national borders. For any company operating in Europe or fleet manager planning budgets, this international perspective is not only interesting but essential. How does Belgium really compare to its neighbors?

The reality is that Belgium has the reputation of being one of the more expensive countries for public charging. This is due to a combination of factors, from relatively high commercial electricity prices to the enormous investments required to expand our charging infrastructure at the pace demanded by the growing number of electric vehicles on our roads.

A closer look at the figures

Recent data confirm this. A European analysis of charging costs places Belgium at the top of the list. Figures for 2024 show that Belgium is the third most expensive country to fully charge an electric car, with an average cost of €21,62 per charge, which amounts to €5,93 per 100 km.

These figures, which are a mix of home and public charging rates, place us just behind countries like Germany (€25,73), Denmark (€24,56) and Ireland (€24,14).You can view the full analysis and the underlying data by reading the research findings on charging costs in Europe.

What these higher average costs really highlight is the crucial importance of a well-thought-out charging strategy. The financial difference between smart and random charging is felt much more strongly here in Belgium than in many other countries.

For a fleet manager, this means that every euro saved through strategic charging has a greater impact on the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) than in countries with lower public charging rates.

Belgium compared to our neighbors

To place this in a practical context, let us look at our immediate neighbors: Germany, France, and the Netherlands. These are not only important trading partners but also frequent destinations for Belgian company cars.

The table below provides a clear picture of how different charging costs can be.

European EV charging costs compared (2024)

Here is a comparison of the average cost to fully charge an EV and the cost per 100 km in Belgium versus other major European countries.

Source: Based on data analysis of Switcher.ie, 2024.

The data clearly show that charging in France and especially in the Netherlands is significantly cheaper. For any company with employees who regularly cross the border, this is crucial information. It can even influence where drivers choose to stop and charge, underscoring the need for a charging card with transparent roaming rates, such as the one from Blulinc.

Strategic management is the answer

In a market with relatively high costs, efficiency becomes your key to success. This is precisely where an intelligent charging management platform makes the difference. By focusing on charging at home and at work, where your rates are lowest, Belgian companies can drastically reduce their costs and remain competitive.

With a platform like Blulinc's, companies can:

• Prioritizing cheap charging: Encourage employees to charge primarily at home or at the office.
• Schedule smart charging sessions: Automatically charge vehicles during off-peak hours to benefit from lower energy rates.
• Check and monitor all expenses: Get a crystal-clear overview of all charging costs, both in Belgium and abroad, via one consolidated dashboard.

In a country where public charging comes at a premium, optimizing your own charging infrastructure is not just an advantage – it is a necessity. It allows you to take back control of the question "how much does it cost to charge an electric car?" and turn the answer to your advantage.

Smart strategies to lower your charging costs

The question "how much does it cost to charge an electric car?" does not have to be a passive question. With the right approach, you can actively manage and reduce those costs.It goes beyond simply comparing prices; it is about using smart technology and making conscious choices that can significantly lower your energy bill.

Forward-thinking companies and fleet managers realize that the greatest savings do not come from Where you load, but when and how you load. Technologies such as smart charging and load balancing are the key here. They transform a static cost into a dynamic, manageable budget.

The power of Smart Charging

Smart charging It simply means aligning your charging sessions with the times when electricity is cheapest. These are typically off-peak hours, usually at night and on weekends. Instead of charging a car immediately as soon as it is plugged in, a smart system postpones the session until energy rates are at their lowest.

It Blulinc platform makes this process effortless. You can easily set up charging profiles that ensure all vehicles automatically charge during these cost-effective hours. This not only immediately lowers your energy costs but also helps relieve pressure on the electricity grid by spreading demand. It is a move that is both financially smart and socially responsible.

Load balancing to prevent peak consumption

In addition to smart charging, is load balancing An indispensable strategy for any location with multiple charging points. This technology dynamically distributes the available power across all active charging stations, preventing the electrical system from becoming overloaded when multiple vehicles are charging simultaneously.

Imagine this: ten employees plug in their cars simultaneously at 9 a.m. Without load balancing, this would cause a massive power surge, which could lead to high peak rates on your energy bill or even tripping your circuit breakers. Load balancing smooths out this surge by intelligently adjusting the charging speed for each car, ensuring you never exceed the total capacity of your connection.

The result is more stable and efficient energy use, which leads to lower operating costs and helps you avoid expensive upgrades to your electrical installation.

A practical example: SME with a fleet of 20 vehicles

Let's quantify the impact of a smart charging strategy. Take an SME in the Ghent region with a fleet of 20 electric commercial vehicles, each with a 60 kWh-battery. The cars charge on average 20 kWh per night at the office.

• Scenario 1: Uncontrolled loading The vehicles start charging immediately upon arrival during peak hours (average rate) €0,35/kWh). Daily fare: 20 cars x 20 kWh X €0,35 = €140

• Scenario 2: Smart charging with Blulinc Charging sessions are automatically scheduled during off-peak hours (average rate) €0,25/kWh). Daily fare: 20 cars x 20 kWh X €0,25 = €100

The daily savings amount to €40. On an annual basis (based on 250 working days), this results in a direct saving of €10.000. This saving is achieved without any loss of comfort for the drivers; after all, the cars are simply fully charged the next morning.

More strategies for cost optimization

In addition to technological solutions, there are other practical steps you can take to reduce your charging costs.

• Optimize battery health: Excessive use of DC fast chargers is not only more expensive but can also affect battery life in the long run. Encourage the use of AC charging at work and at home as standard practice.
• Analyze loading behavior: The Blulinc management platform provides detailed reports on your employees' charging behavior. You can identify inefficient patterns, such as unnecessarily frequent public fast charging, and adjust behavior with clear communication and guidelines.
• Set charging limits: Through our platform, you can set budget limits on employee charging cards. This gives you full control over expenses and encourages cost-effective charging.

By combining these smart strategies, you transform fleet charging from an unpredictable expense into an optimized and manageable part of your business operations.

Your questions about charging costs in Belgium, answered

The switch to electric driving raises many practical questions. For both private individuals and businesses, one question always seems to be central: "what does it cost?" now for real to charge an electric car? To give you a clear picture, we have collected the answers to the most frequently asked questions about charging costs in Belgium.

Is charging at home still cheaper, even with today's high energy prices?

Yes, absolutely. Even when the energy market is somewhat turbulent, charging at home consistently remains the most budget-friendly option. The price you pay per kWh to your energy supplier, typically between €0,25 and €0,35, stands in stark contrast to the rates you find at public charging stations.

Why that big difference? Public charging points have to pass on extra costs, such as their own operating margins, maintenance, and sometimes a starting fee to begin the session.

Let's take a concrete example. A 60 kWh-fully charging the battery costs you approximately at home €18. For exactly the same charging session at a public AC station, you will easily pay more. €30, and with a DC fast charger, the cost can easily rise to over the €45. Moreover, Belgian tax benefits support the installation of a home charging point, and you can reduce costs even further by using 'smart charging' and scheduling your charging sessions during off-peak hours.

How can our company manage and reimburse the charging costs of employees working from home?

This is a classic challenge for modern companies, and precisely where contemporary management platforms prove their value. With an integrated system like that of Blulinc, the entire administrative burden is automated. Your employee has a certified, smart charging station installed at home.

This charger accurately measures how much electricity is consumed by the company car, completely separate from household consumption. This data is then automatically and securely sent to the Blulinc platform.

From there, our platform handles the entire reimbursement process based on a pre-agreed rate, such as the CREG rate. As an employer, you receive a single consolidated invoice, and your employee is reimbursed correctly and on time. This puts an end to manual expense reports and ensures full tax compliance.

What is the difference between a CPO and an e-MSP, and how does that affect the price?

Understanding these two acronyms is the key to fathoming public loading pricing.

• A Charge Point Operator (CPO) is the company that owns and manages the physical charging station. They determine the base price per kWh and are responsible for the maintenance of the chargers.
• A e-Mobility Service Provider (e-MSP), like Blulinc with its charging card, gives you access to an entire network of charging stations from many different CPOs.

View the e-MSP as your service provider. When you use an e-MSP charging card at a station of another CPO, 'roaming charges' may apply. Therefore, the price for the exact same charging session can vary depending on which card you use. The major advantage of a good e-MSP is convenience: one card or app gives you access to hundreds of thousands of charging points. At Blulinc, we strive for maximum transparency by always showing you the current rate in our app. before you start a session.

Are fast chargers always the best choice for my fleet?

Not necessarily. Although DC fast chargers (50 kW and higher) are a lifesaver for long distances or emergencies, they are rarely the most cost-effective or practical choice for the daily needs of a fleet.

Firstly, fast chargers are significantly more expensive per kWh. Moreover, regularly exposing the battery to very fast charging currents can have a negative impact on its overall lifespan in the long run.

For a company fleet where vehicles return to the office or employees' homes at night, standard AC charging (11-22 kW) is much more economical and gentler on the battery. A balanced charging strategy is the ideal approach: rely on cost-effective AC charging at work and at home for daily charges, and reserve the use of fast chargers for those moments when speed is truly essential.

Do you still have questions after reading this guide about what charging an electric car would cost for your specific situation? The team at Blulinc is ready to help you develop a strategy tailored to your company or fleet.

Request a free consultation via blulinc.com