Charging an Electric Car on the Street vs. At Home: Discover How Much You Can Save Annually

The transition to electric mobility always brings with it a sea of doubts. For those considering buying an electric vehicle (EV) or who have just acquired one, the big question usually is: “Is it worth investing in a charger for my garage, or can I perfectly manage with public street charging stations?”

There's a widespread myth that installing a home charging point is a secondary expense or a mere whim. However, when we analyze the actual numbers of the current market, the reality is stark: relying on the paid public network can be up to 5 times more expensive than charging your car at home overnight.

In this article, we're going to do the math for you and show you how the investment in a smart charger practically pays for itself within the first year.

The Real Cost of Electricity: Home vs. Street

To understand the savings, we must first analyze the cost of energy per kilowatt-hour (kWh) in different scenarios. We will use a standard average consumption for a modern electric vehicle as a basis: 15 kWh per 100 km driven.

1. On the public network (Paid charging points)

Street prices vary depending on the station's speed (fast or ultra-fast charging), but the average for typical charges is around €0.45 per kWh.

• Cost to travel 100 km: $15 \text{ kWh} \times 0,45 \text{ €} = \mathbf{6,75 \text{ €}}$

2. At home (Night Rate / Time-of-Use Pricing)

If you choose to install a smart charger in your garage and take advantage of the cheapest hours (off-peak hours at night), the average kWh price drops dramatically to about €0.11 (including taxes).

• Cost to travel 100 km: $15 \text{ kWh} \times 0,11 \text{ €} = \mathbf{1,65 \text{ €}}$

💡 What if I use a flat rate (fixed price all day)? Even if you prefer not to change your rate plan and pay the average of a normal market rate (~€0.15/kWh), the cost per 100 km would be just €2.25. That's still a devastating saving compared to street charging or gasoline!

Monthly and Annual Savings Simulation

To put these values into perspective, let's imagine a driver who travels an average of 1,250 km per month (about 15,000 km per year), which is the usual average in Spain.

Here's how the budget would look at the end of the month and year:

Charging Location	Cost per 100 km	Monthly Expense (1,250 km)	Annual Expense (15,000 km)
Public Network (Street)	~€6.75	~€84	~€1,010
At Home (Night Rate)	~€1.65	~€20	~€240
Net Savings	Save €5.10	Save ~€64 / month	Save ~€770 / year

The Big Argument: The Charger Pays for Itself

Currently, the cost of acquiring a premium smart home charger, plus a certified installation in your garage (whether a single-family home or a space in a communal garage), usually ranges between €600 and €900.

If you look at the table above, the annual savings generated by charging at home are approximately €770.

The mathematical verdict is clear: In just over 12 months, the money you would have paid to public charging operators will have fully funded your own home charging equipment.

Starting from the second year, those almost €800 annually become pure profit for your pocket. Furthermore, having a private charging point immediately increases the market value of your home.

Much More Than Money: Time and Convenience

Although the financial factor is the most impactful, there is another precious currency in electric mobility: your time.

• Relying on the street requires planning: Having to leave home on purpose, finding a free station in the app, praying it's not out of order, and waiting inside the car (or walking home and returning later to pick it up).

• Charging at home means freedom: The process takes you barely 3 seconds. You arrive at your garage at the end of the day, connect the cable to the car, and go to dinner or sleep.

And you don't have to worry about your home's electrical panel. Current smart chargers have dynamic power control. This means the equipment communicates with your home in real-time: if you turn on the oven or washing machine, the charger temporarily reduces the power going to the car to prevent tripping the circuit breaker. When the house "shuts down," the car takes advantage of all available energy during the cheapest hours of the early morning.

Conclusion: Stop "Refueling" on the Street

If you've already taken the step into the future with an electric car, don't remain tied to the routine (and prices) of old gas stations adapted to the public network. The true secret to the economy and comfort of an electric vehicle lies in having your own "service station" in your garage.

Do you want to discover which charger model is ideal for your car and your garage type?

👉 Talk to us for a simulation and a completely no-obligation quote!