Understanding Charging Costs - MOBI.E
Understanding Charging Costs
The Mobi.E system gives full freedom to Electric Mobility Suppliers (EMSP) and Charging Point Operators (OPC) to define their own business models and pricing schemes. This flexibility encourages competition and innovation, but it can make it less straightforward to understand the final cost of charging — especially for those more familiar with the simple pricing structure of fossil fuel refuelling.
However, charging an electric vehicle is, in practice, more convenient and flexible:
• It can be done at home, at work or in public spaces.
• It does not require your constant presence during charging.
• Payment can be made using a mobility card (EMSP) or, in many cases, directly at the charging point using a bank card.
The difficulty in estimating the final cost of a charging session lies in the fact that it results from the combination of two separate tariffs:
• The CEME tariff, which covers the cost of energy.
• The OPC tariff, which covers the use of the charging point.
Each may follow a different pricing model: per kWh, per minute, per session — or a combination of these.
Strategies to estimate charging costs
1 - Use apps and specialised websites
The Mobi.E system is fully digital. Most electric mobility apps and websites allow you to estimate the total cost of charging, based on the chosen charging point and your CEME contract.
2 - Check only the OPC tariff
As your CEME contract is valid throughout the Mobi.E network, the energy price remains the same. Therefore, variations in the final cost are due to the OPC tariff, which is always available on the Mobi.E website and in CEME apps. This allows you to choose the charging point offering the most advantageous price.
3 - Look for charging points with kWh-based tariffs
Some OPCs offer simple kWh-based tariffs, especially for ad hoc charging (without a contract). These tariffs are easier to understand, but may be more expensive, as the operator takes on the risk of inefficient use of the charging point.
What is inefficient use?
• Using a high-powered charger for a vehicle with a small battery.
• Leaving your vehicle plugged in after charging is complete.
• Charging outside the ideal range (20%–80%), which reduces charging speed.
In summary, the Mobi.E system offers transparency, freedom of choice and convenience. However, it requires users to be informed in order to make the most efficient decisions. Fortunately, digital tools and simple strategies are available to help you estimate costs and take full advantage of electric mobility.
