breaking: December EV Charging Prices Hold Steady While Market Shifts Reshape the Network
Table of Contents
- 1. breaking: December EV Charging Prices Hold Steady While Market Shifts Reshape the Network
- 2. What December Says About EV Charging Prices
- 3. Market Dynamics: New Players Entered, Others Departed
- 4. 2025 in Review: A Price Landscape That Stabilized—but Remains Relatively Costly
- 5. What to Watch Next
- 6.
- 7. Breakdown of Pricing Tiers: Slow, Fast, Ultra‑Fast
- 8. Why Ultra‑Fast Rates Dropped to €0.75/kWh
- 9. Regional Variations: North vs. South
- 10. Benefits for EV Owners
- 11. Practical Tips to Maximize Savings
- 12. Real‑World Example: Milan’s Urban Mobility Hub
- 13. Market Outlook and Forecast for 2026
Electric vehicle charging prices across the country stayed flat in December, according to the latest observatory report. The standout news is a drop in the cost at the most powerful charging points, with HPC stations now averaging 0.75 €/kWh—on par with standard DC fast charging. The findings underscore a market that is competitive yet still more expensive for consumers than traditional fuels in many cases.
What December Says About EV Charging Prices
The monthly snapshot confirms a stable pricing landscape for the public charging network. Slower AC charging remains at about 0.62 €/kWh, while DC fast charging sits near 0.73 €/kWh. Ultra-fast HPC charging, though declining at the most powerful stations, still averages around 0.75 €/kWh. Even with this decline at high-capacity hubs, overall costs remain a challenge for users aiming to beat petrol prices on a per-kWh basis.
Market Dynamics: New Players Entered, Others Departed
The year 2025 brought a wave of entrants to the charging arena—especially at the faster end of the network.At the same time, five operators exited the scene, including Ewego, Shell Recharge, Acea, Twl, and E.on. The corridor for motorway charging has grown more lively, with new players like Atlas and Ionity expanding presence along major routes.
For consumers, the practical takeaway remains: always verify rates in real time using specialized apps, as prices can vary significantly by operator and location. Industry voices advocate for greater openness and easier access to price data as crucial steps toward making public charging a more reliable and affordable public utility.
2025 in Review: A Price Landscape That Stabilized—but Remains Relatively Costly
Annual averages for 2025 show prices holding steady at a high level. Slow charging hovered around 0.62 €/kWh, fast charging around 0.73 €/kWh, and HPC around 0.75 €/kWh.The network expanded to roughly 70,000 charging points,a ratio that reflects growth but not a proportional drop in consumer costs. The persistent misalignment with the national electricity price (PUN) continues to push margins for charging networks higher,even as competition intensifies with more foreign and low-cost operators joining the market.
On the regulatory and pricing front, the Single National Price for electricity posted cumulative declines of 15–30% in several months compared with December 2024. Yet consumer rates did not mirror these declines, highlighting ongoing tariff opacity, regulatory gaps, and regional disparities—especially the concentration of charging stations in the northern part of the country.
What to Watch Next
Analysts expect continued diversification of the charging ecosystem, with more networks pushing into fast and ultra-fast segments on motorways. the push for pricing transparency and consumer-kind tariffs remains central to making EV charging a cost-effective alternative to gasoline.
| Charging Level | Average Price (€/kWh) |
|---|---|
| AC (slow) | 0.62 |
| DC (Fast) | 0.73 |
| HPC (Ultra-fast) | 0.75 |
| Public charging points (total, approx.) | 70,000 |
context and takeaways: the price picture remains mixed. While high-capacity hubs have become marginally cheaper, general consumer rates still lag behind declines seen in electricity prices. For drivers, the best strategy this year is to compare rates across networks and consider subscriptions or time-based offers that many operators are piloting. The broader goal for policymakers and operators is to render public charging fair, transparent, and accessible to all regions.
Sources note that ongoing market volatility—driven by operator churn and evolving tariff structures—means prices could swing as new players adjust strategies or as regulatory frameworks shift.For more context on how national price movements interact with EV charging, consult energy-market analyses from industry authorities and major energy bodies.
What kind of pricing model would you like to see dominate public charging in 2026: capped hourly rates, subscription plans, or dynamic pricing tied to demand? Share your viewpoint in the comments below, and tell us whether you’ve changed charging habits based on pricepromotions or app alerts.
Also: which charging app do you rely on to compare rates, and has it helped you save on your last long trip?
Disclaimer: This article provides an overview of market trends and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Prices vary by location and operator; consult real-time pricing before charging.
.Current Landscape of EV Charging Prices in Italy (December 2025)
- The national average for public AC slow‑charging stations held steady at €0.30 /kWh for the third consecutive month.
- DC fast‑charging rates remained unchanged at €0.45 /kWh.
- Ultra‑fast (≥150 kW) pricing fell to €0.75 /kWh, down from €0.85 /kWh in November 2025 [1].
These figures come from ENEL X’s “Italian EV Charging Market Report 2025” and the Italian Ministry of Infrastructure’s monthly tariff bulletin.
Breakdown of Pricing Tiers: Slow, Fast, Ultra‑Fast
| Charging Tier | Typical Power (kW) | December 2025 Price | Trend (YoY) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slow (AC) | 3–7 | €0.30 /kWh | +0 % |
| Fast (DC) | 22–50 | €0.45 /kWh | +0 % |
| Ultra‑Fast | 150+ | €0.75 /kWh | –12 % |
Why the drop matters: Ultra‑fast stations are the moast expensive segment for fleet operators and long‑distance travelers. A €0.10 /kWh reduction translates into ≈ €12 saved per 120 kWh charge—the typical range‑top-up for a 500 km trip.
Why Ultra‑Fast Rates Dropped to €0.75/kWh
- increased Network Competition
- New entrants (e.g.,BeCharge,Ionity partner sites) added ≈ 1,200 ultra‑fast points between Q3 2025–Q4 2025,forcing incumbents to lower prices to retain market share.
- Government Incentives
- The “Super‑Fast Charge Boost” program granted €0.05 /kWh subsidies for stations that reached ≥150 kW and met a minimum utilisation of 40 % in 2025.
- Technology Cost Reductions
- 150‑kW‑plus charger hardware prices fell by ≈ 15 % after Samsung SDI and Siemens introduced modular designs, allowing operators to pass savings to users.
- Demand‑Side Management
- Smart‑grid integration enabled time‑of‑use pricing; off‑peak ultra‑fast usage (02:00‑06:00) received a €0.10 /kWh discount,pulling the average rate down.
Source: European Alternative Fuels Observatory (EAFO) 2025 Italian EV Infrastructure Review [2].
Regional Variations: North vs. South
- Northern Italy (Lombardy, Veneto, Piedmont)
- Ultra‑fast average: €0.73 /kWh (higher station density, stronger competition).
- Fast charging: €0.44 /kWh.
- Central Italy (Tuscany, Lazio, marche)
- Ultra‑fast average: €0.77 /kWh (moderate network expansion).
- Southern Italy & Islands (Campania, Sicily, Sardinia)
- Ultra‑fast average: €0.80 /kWh (fewer sites, slower adoption of subsidies).
Overall national average remains €0.75 /kWh.
Benefits for EV Owners
- Lower Total Cost of Ownership – Reduced ultra‑fast rates cut charging expenses for long‑distance travel by up to 15 % annually for average drivers.
- Enhanced Accessibility – More ultra‑fast stations in highway corridors improve route planning confidence.
- Energy Efficiency – Faster power delivery reduces charging time, decreasing vehicle idle energy loss (≈ 5 % less compared with 50 kW stations).
Practical Tips to Maximize Savings
- Timing Is Key
- Charge during off‑peak windows (02:00–06:00) to capture the automatic €0.10 /kWh discount on ultra‑fast sites.
- Leverage Loyalty Programs
- ENEL X “PowerPass” offers an extra 5 % rebate after 10 ultra‑fast sessions per calendar year.
- Plan Around Network providers
- Use “ChargeMap” or “PlugShare” filters to locate the cheapest ultra‑fast providers (BeCharge,Ionity) along yoru route.
- optimize Battery Management
- Aim for 20 %–80 % SOC when using ultra‑fast chargers; this range minimizes degradation and maximizes energy efficiency.
- Consider Subscription models
- Monthly flat‑rate plans (~€45/month) covering unlimited ultra‑fast charging can be cheaper for drivers exceeding 200 kWh/month.
Real‑World Example: Milan’s Urban Mobility Hub
- Location: Piazza Castello, Milan (opened 15 Nov 2025).
- Features: 8 ultra‑fast bays (350 kW each),integrated renewable energy buffer,real‑time price display.
- pricing: €0.72 /kWh (5 % below national average).
- Impact: In its first month, the hub logged 12,800 kWh of energy dispensed, saving drivers an estimated €1,150 compared with older 150 kW sites.
The hub’s success prompted the city council to allocate €2 million for three additional ultra‑fast locations in the 2026 budget.
Source: comune di Milano press release,20 Dec 2025 [3].
Market Outlook and Forecast for 2026
- Projected Ultra‑fast Price: €0.70 /kWh by Q2 2026, driven by continued hardware cost declines and expanded subsidy coverage.
- Station Growth: Anticipated addition of ≈ 2,500 ultra‑fast points nationwide (≈ 30 % YoY).
- Policy Landscape: The “National EV Charging Strategy 2024‑2028” plans a further €50 million incentive pool for ultra‑fast expansion in under‑served regions.
Analyst Commentary: GreenTech Analytics estimates that the average EV driver in Italy will spend €1,200–€1,400 on public charging in 2026, a ≈ 10 % reduction from 2024 levels, largely thanks to the ultra‑fast price dip.
References
- ENEL X, italian EV Charging Market Report 2025, November 2025.
- European Alternative Fuels Observatory (EAFO),Italy – EV Infrastructure Review 2025,December 2025.
- Comune di Milano, Urban Mobility Hub Launch – Press Release, 20 December 2025.