
In a notable move to support electric mobility in Italy, Adiconsum (an Italian consumer advocacy organization) and TariffEV (a real-time price comparison platform and app) have jointly launched the nation’s first “Osservatorio prezzi delle tariffe di ricarica della mobilità elettrica.” This new monthly price observatory aims to bring greater transparency, consumer awareness, and fair competition to the EV charging market on public land.
The Price Observatory: Scope and Goals
Key objectives of the new observatory include:
- Monthly MonitoringEvery month, three tables will be published, capturing the latest prices from major Italian and international EMSPs (e-mobility service providers) active in Italy. Each table focuses on a different charging mode:
- AC “Slow” (up to 22 kW), typically used in urban settings for longer stops
- DC “Fast” (50–150 kW), more rapid charging in city or suburban areas
- DC “Ultra-Fast / HPC” (above 150 kW), often found on highways for quick 15–20 minute top-ups
- Transparency and Comparison
- By compiling tariffs from about 20 leading CPOs (charging point operators) in Italy, the observatory offers an at-a-glance comparison of each operator’s official app pricing, plus the best deals available via domestic and foreign EMSPs.
- Raising Institutional Awareness
- One pressing concern is the wide range of prices per kWh—sometimes differing by 30–40% or more for the same charge point. By publicly showcasing this disparity, the observatory hopes to encourage policymakers to consider clearer rules or benchmarks on EV charging costs.
How the Tables Are Organized
For each CPO, the observatory highlights:
- Number of Charging Stations: Sorted in descending order by how many charge points they manage nationwide (based on the MASE’s official Italian platform for EV charge points).
- Whether CPO = EMSP: Some CPOs offer their own app/service to end-users, while others merely operate the hardware.
- Pricing Columns:
- CPO’s own app price (€/kWh)
- The best price from an Italian EMSP
- The best price from a foreign EMSP
- Difference in Pricing: Percentage difference between the CPO’s official app price and the cheapest alternative.
- Average Price: The average of all listed prices for that operator.
- Subscription Packages: Any monthly or pre-paid deals (e.g., 100 kWh/month for a fixed fee) that reduce kWh cost.
December 2024 Findings
Adiconsum and TariffEV’s first tables, referencing December 2024 data (when the Italian wholesale electricity price was around 0.135 €/kWh), underline notable gaps in pricing:
- Some operators show as much as a 30–40% gap between their own in-app rate and the best alternative from a rival EMSP.
- Slow AC charging typically ranges between €0.44 and €0.89/kWh, with an average around €0.63–€0.65/kWh (depending on the city and operator).
- Fast DC (50–150 kW) sessions see average prices of about €0.70–€0.78/kWh. Some subscription packages bring that cost closer to €0.60/kWh or lower if you buy, for example, 80 kWh/month.
- Ultra-Fast HPC (150+ kW) can exceed €0.80–€0.90/kWh, though some monthly deals reduce the per-kWh price significantly for frequent users.
Both organizations stress that these disparities highlight the complexity of the EV charging market in Italy—particularly since charging is not a “public utility” but rather an open marketplace where each EMSP sets its own fees.
Next Steps
- Monthly Updates: The observatory’s price snapshots will appear monthly on Adiconsum’s and TariffEV’s platforms, tracking changes and new entrants.
- Institutional Dialogue: By publishing these comparisons, Adiconsum aims to spur constructive dialogue with government agencies and regulators to set clearer guidelines or at least improve transparency for EV drivers.
With Italy’s electric vehicle fleet continuing to grow, the new “Osservatorio Prezzi delle Tariffe di Ricarica” stands to be an influential watchdog, ensuring that EV owners can choose the best charging options while encouraging fair competition and better value across the entire Italian charging ecosystem.
Source
Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and do not reflect those of the European Commission.