Charging stations: good news, the government wants to end the confusion over prices
After announcing new subsidies to accelerate vehicle electrification and reduce charging costs, the government is addressing a major issue: the lack of transparency in pricing for public charging stations. Several requirements will gradually take effect starting in 2027.
On Thursday, October 15, the government unveiled the second phase of its electrification plan for France. Among the announcements is support for purchasing electric vehicles and facilitating the installation of home charging stations. But that’s not all. The government also aims to improve the experience for drivers who charge at public infrastructure. As several associations have pointed out in recent months, there is still much work to be done.
The price per kWh must be clearly displayed
Unlike gas stations, where the price per liter of fuel is immediately visible, figuring out the cost of an electric charge can sometimes be a real hassle. With all the different apps, cards, and pricing structures, it’s quite difficult to know exactly how much a charging session will cost before plugging in one’s vehicle. The government wants to put an end to this situation.
The government announces that displaying the charging price in euros per kWh will become mandatory on all fast chargers with a power of 50 kW or higher. This requirement will apply to both new installations and existing infrastructure. The goal behind this measure is to allow drivers to know the electricity cost before starting a charge, without necessarily having to check an app or look up the provider’s rates.
Charging power also affected
Another interesting new requirement is that charging stations must also display the actual instantaneous power delivered by them. This is important information, as the power listed on a station does not always match the power actually received by the vehicle. This requirement will enable users to better understand their charging speed. It could also help identify situations where a station delivers less power than expected, although this difference might also stem from the vehicle or its battery.
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Finally, the government plans to make it mandatory to provide a detailed payment receipt for all charging stations, including those with less than 50 kW. This document, which may be electronic, must specify various billing elements such as the price per kWh or any fees related to usage duration.
Phased implementation starting in 2027
These new requirements will not take effect immediately. The government intends to submit a draft regulation for public consultation by November 1, 2026. Detailed payment receipts will become mandatory starting in April 2027. On the same date, new charging stations must display prices and the power output. Existing stations will have an additional grace period (until November 2027) to comply.
We are eager to see how these requirements will be implemented in practice. They should at least allow electric vehicle owners to better understand what they are paying for. A long-awaited improvement.