Public electric car recharging points in France: how they work and why fees vary so much

France has some 168,000 public charging stations for electric vehicles, however the cost of recharges can vary considerably depending on factors such as location, network, and speed of charge. 

While petrol prices at service stations are usually displayed on digital signs and visible from the road, this is not the case with most recharge points. Drivers must preplan their journey and check recharge prices via an app, or otherwise pull in and park to know how much they could be charged. Even then, calculating the final price can be challenging. 

Read more: How French motorway service stations are changing (for the better) 

Charging stations can offer as many as five different payment methods, with some accepting a variety of subscription cards, each with different price tags. 

We look at how these methods work and why their costs are so varied. 

Paying for a recharge 

Pay by credit card

You might think the standard way of paying to charge your electric car would be to use your credit card, however some recharge points do not have this option. Some consumer organisations such as UFC-Que Choisir are calling for bank cards to be accepted at all French recharge points to simplify the process, particularly for those with a rental vehicle. 

Using a credit card is usually the most expensive payment method. This is because charging stations are keen to encourage drivers to download their app and subscribe (see below) to unlock a lower fee. 

Use an app

Downloading a charging station’s app means you will be able to pay by credit card or PayPal, through the digital platform.

These apps also make it easy to locate available stations on the same network, with some of the most popular being Chargemap, Nextcharge, Plugshare, and Chargeprice.

Most of the apps try to ensure that their information is as up to date as possible but there is always the risk of charging points not working when you arrive. Some apps have reviews and ratings from users that may help to mitigate this and allow non-functioning points to be reported.

Many operators also offer low-cost abonnements or packages guaranteeing access to preferential rates.

This can be particularly useful if you use the same operator on a regular basis.

Use a ‘recharge card’

‘Universal’ cartes de recharge can be a way of simplifying the payment process, as they are generally accepted at all recharge points in France (and often across Europe). 

There are several different versions on offer, including Chargemap Pass, Shell Recharge/NewMotion, and Ma Carte de Recharge. 

Some passes are free while others cost a few euros to buy. Additional fees may also be billed monthly or added on top of each recharge price. 

However the various cards that can be used means that the total cost of each recharge can be unclear as card providers do not offer the same standard price. 

“The profitability of these card operators is based on the margin they make when you recharge. So their profit margins cause price variations,” Lucile Buisson from UFC-Que Choisir told FranceInfo.

Read more: Which grants exist in France in 2025 to help buy an electric car?

Anticipating recharge prices

Planning ahead is the main way to ensure not being caught out by expensive recharge prices, however there are some other ways of calculating how much you could be charged. 

The total energy used — and what you pay for — is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). This is the actual amount of electricity delivered, and it depends on both the charging power (kW) and how long the vehicle is connected.

Speed of charge

Different levels of charge are typically available for cars: slow charging (typically 7.4–22 kW of power), fast charging (22–150 kW), and ultra-fast charging (up to 350 kW). 

These figures represent the power output of the charging station — the rate at which electricity is delivered to the vehicle’s battery.

Opting for a slow recharge is less expensive than a fast one. 

Some supermarkets or public car parks offer free (or cheap) hour-long recharges for paying customers. 

There are often charging points in car parks at E. Leclerc, Carrefour and Lidl, the idea being that these charging points are used while vehicle owners use the shopping facilities or nearby attractions. 

Location of charge 

Just as with petrol, recharges tend to be more expensive at motorway service stations.

Recharging tends to be less expensive in towns and villages with some local authorities offering cheap public charging points or sometimes even for free to local residents, along with lower rates for visitors.

However smaller local recharge points may not always be available, and you may need to wait until other users have finished. 

Forward planning in advance of a long journey means you could anticipate taking a detour through a village with cheaper recharge points, before heading back onto the motorway. 

Time of charge 

Some companies, such as Tesla, offer a system wherein recharge prices vary based on demand meaning it can be cheaper to charge your car late at night rather than during rush hour. 

Read more: Refuelling your car is cheaper at certain times of the day in France

These factors explain the fluctuating and sometimes unpredictable nature of recharge prices.

Clément Molizon, General Manager of the Association for the Development of Electric Mobility (Avere) told FranceInfo that these price variations can be advantageous for drivers: “We have a lot of networks and players so there is competition that allows the user to choose.”

Have you used a public recharging point to charge an electric vehicle in France? If so, please share your thoughts and experience at feedback@connexionfrance.com