Planning a late summer road trip to Europe in your EV? Good news: charging your car across the Channel is usually way cheaper than plugging in here in the UK.
A study by The i Paper using EU data shows the UK is one of the priciest places to fast-charge an electric car, more than double the cost of charging up in Portugal. Out of ten popular European road trip destinations, the UK came in as the fourth most expensive.
| Country | Tesla Model 3 (25 mins) Range gained 266km | Hyundai Kona (50 mins) Range gained 165km | VW ID.3 Pro S (33 mins) Range gained 315km |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal | €3.18 | €3.29 | €3.59 |
| Poland | €6.72 | €6.96 | €7.60 |
| Spain | €7.11 | €7.37 | €8.04 |
| Ireland | €7.19 | €7.45 | €8.21 |
| France | €7.26 | €7.53 | €8.21 |
| Sweden | €7.72 | €7.99 | €8.73 |
| UK | €7.79 | €8.07 | €8.81 |
| Germany | €8.93 | €9.25 | €10.10 |
| Italy | €9.12 | €9.46 | €10.32 |
| Netherlands | €9.17 | €9.50 | €10.37 |
To put that into perspective, powering a Tesla Model 3 in Portugal works out at about €3.18 (£2.76) per 100 miles. In the UK you’ll pay €7.79 (£6.75) for the same distance. Spain and France aren’t exactly bargain basement, but at €7.11 (£6.16) and €7.26 (£6.29) they’re still cheaper than Britain.
Even Poland, Ireland and Sweden beat the UK on charging costs. Only Germany, Italy and the Netherlands are pricier, and even then, they can work out cheaper if you sign up to local charging memberships while you’re there.
So, why is charging in Britain so expensive?
Experts point to a mix of high electricity prices, steep connection fees, and the fact we pay 20 per cent VAT on public charging. Other countries often give drivers tax breaks instead. On top of that, charging companies face big bills for installing and running networks, costs they pass straight on to drivers.
And it’s not just about price. Queues for chargers are also more of a UK problem. Even though the number of rapid chargers per person is similar to the EU, demand here is higher. In Europe, you’re far less likely to sit waiting for a free plug.
The good news is once you’re on the road, charging abroad is just as easy as at home. Same cables, plenty of contactless stations, and loads of apps and maps to help you find a spot. Signing up for a roaming app or card can also make life easier if you’re crossing multiple countries.
With nearly 2 million EVs sold in the EU in 2024, and almost 400,000 in the UK alone, Europe’s charging network is growing fast. So if you’re taking your EV on a continental road trip, chances are you’ll spend less, wait less, and get more miles for your money than you would back home.
