Drivers undertaking electric vehicle (EV) road trips in Europe could save money by using charge point subscriptions. One driver on a recent 1,500-mile trip across multiple European countries saved approximately £50 by using a top-tier Ionity Power plan, which costs £10.50 per month.
The subscription offered rapid charging from 47p/kWh in the UK, compared to Ionity's standard app rate of 79p/kWh, with similar discounts available in Europe. The subscription paid for itself after just two discounted charging sessions.
While EV charge cards offer convenience for initiating and paying for charging across various brands, they may not always provide the cheapest rates. Some charge points, such as Shell Recharge, offer discounted rates when using their dedicated app, meaning charge card users could pay around 25% more.
To manage range anxiety and potential charger faults, it is advised to treat 20% battery as empty and always plan for backup charging stops. Charger status can change rapidly, and services like Google Maps, Electroverse, and Zapmap provide an indication of operational status.