EV Charging Guide
Why Is Ad-Hoc Electric Car Charging More Expensive Than RFID?
Updated April 2026
The electric car charger screen shows two prices, and the one without a subscription is significantly higher. You are looking at the difference between ad-hoc pricing (pay as you go, no membership) and member or RFID pricing. The gap can be 20 to 30 cents per kWh, which adds up fast on a large battery. Here is why the prices are different and when paying the higher rate is actually the smarter choice.
All prices mentioned are approximate and based on publicly available data as of early 2026. Prices vary by network, country, and station. Always check the charger screen or network app for current rates before starting a session. This guide is for informational purposes only. EVcourse is not affiliated with any charging network.
Quick Fix
- Two prices on the screen? The lower one is for members or RFID card holders. The higher one is for ad-hoc (no account).
- Charge less than twice a month at this network? Ad-hoc is probably cheaper than a monthly subscription.
- Abroad for a few days? Ad-hoc or a roaming card avoids committing to a subscription you will not use again.
What Is Ad-Hoc Electric Car Charging?
Ad-hoc means paying at the charger without an account or subscription. You tap a credit card, scan a QR code, or use contactless payment. No app needed, no monthly commitment. Under the EU's AFIR regulation, most DC fast chargers (50 kW and above) must now accept this kind of payment.
The trade-off: convenience costs more. Ad-hoc rates are typically €0.15 to 0.30 per kWh higher than what you would pay with a membership or RFID card.
Price Comparison: Ad-Hoc vs. Membership (approximate)
| Network | Ad-Hoc | Membership | Monthly Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ionity (DE) | ~€0.69/kWh | ~€0.49/kWh | ~€11.99 |
| Fastned (NL) | ~€0.68/kWh | ~€0.48/kWh | ~€11.99 |
| EnBW (DE) | ~€0.59/kWh | ~€0.39/kWh | ~€17.99 |
| Tesla non-Tesla (DE) | ~€0.55/kWh | ~€0.40/kWh | ~€12.99 |
| BP Pulse (UK) | ~GBP 0.85/kWh | ~GBP 0.69/kWh | ~GBP 12.99 |
All prices approximate and shown in local currency. EUR (€) for eurozone countries, GBP (£) for the UK. Actual rates vary by location and may have changed since early 2026.
Why the Price Gap Exists
- → Subscriptions give networks predictable revenue. Monthly fees help networks forecast income and plan infrastructure investment. The lower per-kWh rate is the incentive to commit.
- → Card payments cost more to process. Ad-hoc contactless transactions involve merchant fees of approximately 1.5% to 3% plus a flat fee per transaction. App-based billing through a stored payment method is cheaper for the network.
- → Terminal hardware is expensive. Installing and maintaining AFIR-compliant card readers at every charger adds significant cost to each site.
When Ad-Hoc Actually Makes Sense
- → You charge away from home less than once a month. The monthly subscription fee would cost more than the per-kWh savings.
- → Emergency when your primary app or card fails. Having card payment as a backup means you can always charge, even if the app is down.
- → Travelling abroad for a few days. No point subscribing to a network you will only use once or twice.
Break-even example: If an Ionity Passport Power subscription costs approximately €11.99 per month and saves approximately €0.20 per kWh, you need to charge at least approximately 60 kWh per month at Ionity to break even. That is roughly one to two full charges for a mid-size electric car.
What About Roaming Card Markup?
Roaming providers (Shell Recharge, Plugsurfing, etc.) typically add €0.05 to 0.15/kWh over the network's direct price. Sometimes this is more expensive than ad-hoc, sometimes less. It depends on the specific network and the roaming provider's agreement.
The advantage of roaming is convenience: one card works at many different networks. If you charge at multiple networks across different countries, the slightly higher per-kWh cost may be worth the simplicity.
From Finn, engineer: The pricing difference feels unfair, but it reflects real costs. Processing a one-off card payment at an unattended terminal is genuinely more expensive for the network than billing a subscriber through their app. If you charge at the same network regularly, the subscription almost always saves money. If not, ad-hoc is simpler and avoids forgotten subscriptions.
EVcourse app provides instant troubleshooting and expert explanations at the charger. Scan any station or car screen for step-by-step help, free to start on iOS.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is ad-hoc EV charging more expensive?
Charging networks charge higher ad-hoc rates to cover payment processing fees (1.5 to 3% plus a flat fee per transaction), the cost of installing AFIR-compliant card terminals, and to incentivize subscriptions that provide predictable recurring revenue.
How much more expensive is ad-hoc vs membership charging?
The difference is typically 0.15 to 0.30 euros per kWh. For example, Ionity ad-hoc pricing in Germany is approximately 0.69 euros per kWh, while the Passport Power subscription reduces it to approximately 0.49 euros per kWh for a monthly fee of approximately 11.99 euros.
When does ad-hoc charging make financial sense?
Ad-hoc makes sense when you charge away from home less than once or twice a month, when you are travelling abroad and only need one or two charges, or as an emergency backup when your primary app or card is not working.
Does AFIR require chargers to show ad-hoc prices?
Yes. Under the EU's AFIR regulation, the ad-hoc price must be clearly visible on or near the charger before the session starts. This allows drivers to see what they will pay before committing.
Confused by the price on the charger screen?
Scan it with the EVcourse app. The app reads the screen and explains what you are being charged and why.
Don't understand the screen? Scan it.
Point your phone at any charger or car screen for instant help. Any brand, any language. Free to try on iOS.
Free to try on iOS. Android coming soon. Join the Android waitlist.