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Whether at home, while shopping, or on the highway, one of the first questions EV drivers ask is: how much does it cost to charge an electric car? In this guide, we break down the current electric car charging costs in Switzerland.
More and more people in Switzerland are switching to electric cars. The network of public and private charging stations is also growing. At the same time, electricity prices and charging tariffs in Switzerland can vary significantly depending on the provider and location. Knowing the costs of charging an electric car and adjusting your charging behavior can help you save money and charge more efficiently.
The price for charging an electric car mainly depends on the location and time of charging. With smart planning, you can optimize your costs.
Electric car electricity costs depend on:
In general: The more predictable and efficient the charging, the lower the total costs. The electricity costs for an electric car are calculated using the formula Cost = Electricity price × Consumption × Distance.
Electricity costs of an electric car per 100 km (compact class):
Source: Data compiled by Swisscharge.
Charging an electric car at a regular socket is possible, but only a stopgap solution. It works without additional devices but takes a very long time, as the power is throttled by a control unit. A household socket provides only about 2.3 kW of power, so a full battery charge can take over 20 hours. In addition, there is a risk of overheating with older installations if high current flows for many hours.
👉 In short: Charging at the socket is cheap, but slow and risky. Those who charge regularly should switch to a wallbox.
A wallbox is the safe, convenient, and permanently cost-effective solution for home charging. It charges with up to 22 kW and protects both the vehicle and the power grid thanks to built-in safety mechanisms. The installation costs from 1,000 CHF depending on the model, but it pays off through faster charging, less energy loss, and more safety. In addition, a wallbox can often be combined with solar power or smart home systems.
👉 Conclusion: A wallbox makes home electric car charging efficient and safe.
Those who use a solar system for their electric car charge particularly sustainably and often at the lowest cost in the long term. With your own PV system, the electric car is charged directly with self-produced electricity during the day. The electricity then costs practically nothing, except for the investment costs for the system itself.
✅ Advantages:
❌ Disadvantages:
👉 Conclusion: A solar system is worthwhile for anyone who regularly charges their electric car at home. The PV system pays for itself over the years through lower electricity costs and higher self-consumption of solar power.
With Swisscharge, you have access to over 15,000 charging points in Switzerland and more than 170,000 in Europe. Swisscharge does not charge monthly fees. You only pay per charging session. Prices depend on the respective partner network (providers like Ionity, Gofast, Move, Tesla):
Swisscharge transparently shows you the price before starting the charging process in the app. This way, you always know what charging will cost you – without unpleasant surprises.
In the Swisscharge App, you can quickly find the right charging station near you or along your route. The interactive map shows locations, prices, and charging power in real-time and allows you to start the charging process directly via the app.
👉 Discover the Swisscharge App
An electric car is not only easier to maintain but also significantly cheaper to operate than a combustion engine. You can especially see the difference in energy costs per 100 kilometers.
With an annual mileage of 15,000 km, the following operating costs arise: • Electric car: approx. CHF 765 per year • Combustion engine: approx. CHF 1,593-1,785 per year • Savings: up to CHF 1,000 per year
Over a usage period of 10 years, this amounts to around CHF 10,000 savings in energy costs alone – not including maintenance and tax differences. Of course, the price advantage varies depending on mileage, electricity tariff, and driving style, but on average, the electric car remains clearly cheaper to maintain in the long term and saves real money year after year.
The costs of charging an electric car vary significantly depending on the charging location. At home, driving 100 kilometers costs about CHF 5, at public charging stations around CHF 9–11, and with fast charging about CHF 13. The cheapest way is to charge mostly at home or at the workplace and only occasionally use fast charging on the go. This combination is efficient, convenient, and saves money in the long run.
With a few simple measures, you can further reduce your charging costs. Try to implement the following tips in your daily life:
⚡ Use fast charging only when needed
DC charging costs more and puts more strain on the battery. For everyday use, AC charging at home or at the workplace is sufficient. It's best to charge whenever the car is parked for a longer period. This also helps avoid more expensive rates at fast charging stations.
☀️ Charge with solar power
If you have a PV system, you can charge your car during the day with your own solar power. This significantly reduces the effective electricity costs – often below 10 cents per kWh.
🌙 Take advantage of night-time electricity rates
Many energy providers offer cheaper electricity at night. Charge during these hours to save costs.
🔋 Keep the battery between 20–80%
This keeps the battery healthier and charges more efficiently. Full charges are only necessary for long distances.
📱 Use apps
With the Swisscharge App, you can find cheap charging stations and see current prices in real-time.
This depends on the battery size and electricity price. With a 60-kWh battery and an electricity price of CHF 0.30 / kWh, a full charge at home costs around CHF 18. At a public AC station (CHF 0.60 / kWh), it costs about CHF 36, and with fast charging around CHF 46.
A compact electric car consumes about 17 kWh per 100 km. Depending on the charging location, the costs are as follows: • At home: approx. CHF 5 • Public (AC): approx. CHF 10 • Fast charging (DC): approx. CHF 13
At home, you pay the regular electricity tariff of your energy provider, on average around CHF 0.30 / kWh. A full 60-kWh battery therefore costs about CHF 18. This is significantly cheaper than a fuel stop at the gas station.
Yes, definitely. A wallbox charges your electric car faster and more safely than a socket and cheaper than a public charging station. The purchase usually costs from CHF 1000, but it pays off due to the lower electricity prices.
AC charging (alternating current) is slower and is usually used at home or at public standard charging stations.
DC charging (direct current) is fast charging – it charges the car directly through the direct current connection and can bring the battery to 80% in 30–60 minutes. However, it is more expensive and puts more strain on the battery.
At 15,000 km per year, the electric car costs about CHF 765 in electricity, while a comparable gasoline car costs around CHF 1,785 in fuel. The annual savings are therefore around CHF 1,000, and over ten years, more than CHF 10,000 – without even considering maintenance advantages.
Yes, a charging card or app like the one from Swisscharge makes charging particularly easy. It provides access to thousands of charging points in Switzerland and Europe and also serves as a payment method. You don't have to register separately at each station.
You can also charge your electric car directly with the Swisscharge App. You don't need a physical card from the charging station provider for this. In the app, you can find available stations, see prices in real-time, and start the charging process directly via smartphone.
05.02.2026