How much does it cost to drive 100 km on electricity in 2025? What is the charging cost for electric vehicles? The differences are huge.
2025 brought stability to the fuel and energy market, but electric vehicle drivers experience these changes in two ways. On one hand, home charging remains unbeatably cheap. On the other hand, prices at public chargers are soaring to levels that question the economic viability of electric mobility on long trips.
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We analyze the cost of driving 100 km. We compare home outlets, fast DC charging stations, and regular gasoline. The math is relentless, showing a clear division in the market into two speed categories when it comes to charging costs.
Reference point: internal combustion engine
Before diving into kilowatt-hours, we need to establish a baseline. The average price of Pb95 gasoline is around 5.80 PLN per liter. This is an acceptable level for most drivers, though far from cheap.
A typical modern C-segment compact car consumes about 7 liters of fuel per 100 km in mixed driving conditions. In urban areas, this figure rises to 8-9 liters, while it drops to 6 liters on highways during steady driving.
The calculation is simple. The cost of driving 100 km with a gasoline car in 2025 is as follows:
Economical driving (6 l/100 km): 34.80 PLN
Average driving (7 l/100 km): 40.60 PLN
Dynamic/urban driving (9 l/100 km): 52.20 PLN
These are the ranges that electric cars must compete against. 40 PLN represents a psychological threshold for cost-effectiveness for many users.
Home charging: an oasis of cheaper driving
Most electric car owners charge them at home. This is the cheapest option. The electricity rates for households in 2025 have stabilized at around 1.00 – 1.10 PLN per 1 kWh (including distribution fees under tariff G11).
The energy consumption of an electric car depends on the model, season, and driving style. Let’s consider three scenarios for a mid-size electric car (e.g., Tesla Model 3, VW ID.3):
Summer, city driving (15 kWh/100 km).
Mixed cycle (18 kWh/100 km).
Winter or highway driving (22 kWh/100 km).
At a price of 1.10 PLN per kWh, the costs are as follows:
15 kWh x 1.10 PLN = 16.50 PLN
18 kWh x 1.10 PLN = 19.80 PLN
22 kWh x 1.10 PLN = 24.20 PLN
Even in the worst scenario, home charging is nearly 40% cheaper than driving on gasoline with efficient fuel consumption. With typical use, the difference is twice as much in favor of electricity.
Nighttime rates change the game
Users aware of costs rarely use the flat-rate G11 tariff. Switching to the G12w (weekend/night) tariff helps reduce energy costs during nighttime hours. In 2025, the actual rate during off-peak times is often below 0.80 PLN per kWh.
For a consumption of 18 kWh/100 km, the cost drops to 14.40 PLN. This is equivalent to less than 2.5 liters of gasoline. Under such conditions, electric vehicles outperform diesel competitors in terms of operating costs. There is one condition: access to a personal charger or wallbox.
Public AC Charging: The Trap of Average Prices
The situation becomes complicated once you leave the garage. Public AC charging stations (slow charging) were meant to serve as an alternative for apartment dwellers. However, the pricing from operators in November 2025 shows significant variations.
The standard rates (without a subscription) from the major providers are as follows:
GreenWay: 1.95 PLN/kWh
Polenergia: 1.78 PLN/kWh
ChargeEuropa: 1.75 PLN/kWh
Budimex Mobility: 2.09 PLN/kWh
Cost to travel 100 km (with 18 kWh consumption) at a public AC charger:
Cheapest (Moya Energia during night promotion): 0.99 PLN x 18 = 17.82 PLN
Standard (GreenWay): 1.95 PLN x 18 = 35.10 PLN
Most expensive (Power Dot): 2.48 PLN x 18 = 44.64 PLN
Charging in the city using a standard rate results in costs similar to those of driving a gasoline car. Without a subscription, any savings disappear. AC chargers are most cost-effective in specific locations or when taking advantage of promotions (such as Moya Energia’s night rates).
Fast DC charging: luxury on the road
A real price shock awaits drivers on the road where time is of the essence. High-power charging stations (HPC > 150 kW) represent the most expensive way to top up energy. The pricing lists from November 2025 leave no doubt — convenience comes at a cost.
An analysis of standard rates (without a subscription) for HPC connectors:
Ionity: 3.50 PLN/kWh
Noxo: 3.49 PLN/kWh
Shell Recharge: 3.39 PLN/kWh
GreenWay: 3.15 PLN/kWh
Orlen Charge: 3.19 PLN/kWh (for connectors >125kW) – though it can be as low as 2.4 PLN during promotions
Here, the math becomes harsh for electric mobility. Let’s assume an energy consumption of 22 kWh per 100 km on the highway (typical for driving at 120-130 km/h).
Cost to travel 100 km on the highway (without a subscription):
Ionity: 22 kWh x 3.50 PLN = 77.00 PLN
GreenWay: 22 kWh x 3.15 PLN = 69.30 PLN
Orlen: 22 kWh x 3.19 PLN = 70.18 PLN (52.8 PLN during promotions)
Driving an electric car on the highway using standard fast chargers is 70-90% more expensive than driving a comparable gasoline car (fuel cost of about 40 PLN/100 km).
The Tesla Phenomenon
In terms of cost comparison, one provider stands out. Tesla Superchargers maintain rates that are significantly lower than the market average.
Standard HPC Price: 1.60 PLN/kWh
Minimum price (off-peak): 0.70 PLN/kWh
For Tesla drivers (or drivers of other brands with access to Superchargers), the highway charging cost looks completely different:
Standard: 22 kWh x 1.60 PLN = 35.20 PLN
Off-peak: 22 kWh x 0.70 PLN = 15.40 PLN
The difference is enormous. Driving 100 km on a Supercharger costs as much as using gasoline (during peak hours) or as much as home charging (outside peak hours). This shows the large margins imposed by other operators or the different business models they use. Tesla treats charging as a service to support car sales, while for Ionity or GreenWay it is the main product.
The trap of no subscription
The high “list price” charges (so-called ad-hoc fees) serve as a deterrent. Operators force users to be loyal. Having a subscription card (such as GreenWay Energia Max) or being a member of clubs (like EV Klub Polska) is necessary for those who travel long distances.
Discounts on subscriptions can reduce the cost per kWh by 1-1.50 zł. This brings the charging bill to 45-50 zł per 100 km. It’s still more than gasoline for economical driving, but the difference is no longer drastic.
The problem lies in market fragmentation. To drive cheaply across Poland, a driver would need to pay for several subscriptions simultaneously (GreenWay, Ionity, Elocity/Budimex), which collectively erodes the savings. Roaming options (such as Shell Recharge or Charge Assist) offer the convenience of a single card, but they usually add a fee, pushing prices up to Ionity levels (over 3.30 zł/kWh).
Price Dynamics and Time-Based Tariffs
A development gaining importance in 2025 are dynamic tariffs at public charging stations. Ekoen and Tauron adjust the rates based on the time of day or network load.
Tauron (DC): the standard rate is 2.47 PLN, but it can rise to 4.42 PLN during peak hours.
Ekoen (HPC): the range is from 1.49 PLN to 2.99 PLN.
This is a mechanism familiar from the hotel or aviation industries. Drivers who want to save money must plan to charge outside peak hours. It requires flexibility but allows for significant cost reductions on trips without committing to a fixed subscription.
Market Segmentation
The wide price range shown in the chart (from 0.70 PLN to 4.42 PLN per kWh for fast charging) divides EV users into three groups:
Home Chargers: They pay very little (15-20 PLN/100 km). They use public charging stations occasionally, so high ad-hoc rates don’t bother them. For them, electricity charging means lower operating costs.
Tesla users: They enjoy a privileged position. Even while on the road, they pay rates close to home or acceptable (35 PLN/100 km). The system is consistent, inexpensive, and predictable.
Fleets and non-Tesla vehicles on the road: This group faces the greatest challenges. Without advanced optimization (subscriptions, apps, route planning tailored to specific providers), they end up paying costs of around 70-80 PLN/100 km. This is almost double the fuel cost.
The future: stability or further increases?
Analyzing trends from 2025, it’s clear that the era of “cheap charging for everyone” at public stations has passed forever. The costs of building infrastructure (high-power connections, hubs with multiple charging stations) are being passed on to end-users.
Operators such as Polenergia (2.48 zł on the A2 highway) and Orlen are seeking profitability. Price competition is emerging slowly, mainly in cities (Moya, Power Dot), where the battle for customers is fiercer. High prices dominate on highways due to an oligopoly.
We can expect the development of bundled offers. Free kWh packages added to insurance (like the 125 kWh voucher from Multipolisa shown in the graph) or discounts for purchases at the station’s store will become standard. The basic rate per kWh will remain high.
Further development of dynamic tariffs is also likely. Operators will want to shift demand to nighttime or afternoon hours (when solar power generation peaks), offering rates similar to those for home use. Charging during “prime time” (Friday afternoons, holidays) will become a luxury good.
Conclusions for electric vehicle buyers
The decision to buy an EV in 2025 must be backed by a thorough calculation of usage patterns.
If you drive 80-90% of the time around your home and have your own charging station, an electric car is financially unbeatable. You save thousands of zlotys per year compared to fuel.
If you are a salesperson who drives 50,000 km per year on highways and don’t drive a Tesla, the math might not work in your favor. The cost of time and expensive electricity from Ionity or GreenWay will offset the savings from lower vehicle maintenance costs.
The market has matured. The promotional period is over, and the time has come to account for every penny and kilowatt hour.
Do you think the current prices at Ionity or Orlen stations represent an abuse of market power, or are they the actual cost of maintaining the infrastructure? Or would you prefer to pay more for the assurance and speed of charging, rather than looking for cheaper chargers on side streets? Let us know in the comments what your average cost per 100 km has been this year.