Navigating the 2.5% Electricity Price Surge: Insights for EV Owners
The recent 2.5% rise in electricity prices, effective from early August, has sparked concerns among electric vehicle (EV) owners about their charging costs. While this uptick affects household bills and business operations alike, experts emphasize that recharging an EV at home remains significantly cheaper than fueling a traditional gasoline or diesel vehicle. Solal Botbol, co-founder and CEO of Beev—a leading platform accelerating the shift to electric mobility—breaks down the true effects of this change and shares practical ways to keep costs in check.
Why the Increase? Understanding the TURPE Factor
This price adjustment isn’t driven by skyrocketing wholesale energy costs, which have stayed fairly steady. Instead, it stems largely from an update to the TURPE (Tariff for the Use of Public Electricity Networks), a key fee that covers the maintenance and operation of France’s power grid managed by Enedis and RTE.
TURPE makes up roughly one-third of your total electricity bill, regardless of whether you’re on a regulated tariff or a fixed-price market plan. This means the hike touches everyone, from residential users to commercial fleets, without favoritism.
Breaking Down the Real Cost Impact
For typical households on regulated rates, expect an extra penny or so per kilowatt-hour (kWh), translating to just about 5 euros more annually on a standard 12 kVA subscription.
EV drivers feel it more directly. Consider a daily commuter driving 60 km and charging overnight during off-peak hours at home:
- Monthly charging cost before: around 30.32 euros
- After the hike: approximately 30.51 euros
- Added expense: just 19 cents per month
Scale that to a company fleet of 100 EVs, and the yearly bump is roughly 228 euros—noticeable but far from devastating. These figures highlight why smart charging habits matter now more than ever.
Quick Tip: Use an online EV cost calculator (many apps offer them) to plug in your mileage, local rates, and tariff to get a personalized estimate.
EVs Still Win on Cost Predictability
Even with this modest increase, EVs hold a clear edge over internal combustion engine vehicles. Fuel prices swing wildly—sometimes adding tens of euros to a single tank—while electricity costs are far more stable and forecastable.
As Botbol notes, the tiny monthly uptick pales against fuel volatility. For instance, a 10% gas price spike could cost an average driver 20-50 euros extra per month, dwarfing the EV surcharge.
Example Comparison:
| Vehicle Type | Monthly Cost (15,000 km/year) |
|————–|——————————-|
| EV (off-peak) | ~35 euros |
| Gasoline | ~120 euros |
Savings persist, especially with incentives like tax credits and lower maintenance.
Smart Strategies to Counter the Hike
Don’t let a small rise derail your EV plans. Here are actionable steps:
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Shop Around for Suppliers: Fixed-rate deals from providers like TotalEnergies or Engie often undercut the regulated tariff by 10-20%. Use comparison sites like Selectra to find the best fit.
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Charge Smart: Stick to off-peak hours (usually 10 PM to 6 AM) where rates can be 40-50% lower. Apps like Beev’s platform automate this.
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For Fleets: Implement software for load balancing—charge when demand is low to avoid peak surcharges. Track usage via dashboards to spot inefficiencies.
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Upgrade Infrastructure: Solar panels or efficient home chargers can slash long-term bills. Beev offers certified installations.
Treat electricity like fuel: monitor, optimize, and plan ahead.
Discover Beev: Your EV Transition Partner
Launched in 2020 by Solal Botbol and Chanez Djoudi, Beev (beev.co) is a one-stop shop for electric mobility. It serves individuals, businesses, and pros with:
- Leasing options for 250+ EV models
- Home and workplace charger setups by 350 certified IRVE technicians
- Fleet management software
Beev has supported over 5,000 clients, including giants like Danone, Veolia, Carrefour, Accor, and Tesla. With 3 million euros raised in late 2023, 20 million euros in 2025 business volume, and accolades like Greentech Innovation label, B Corp certification, and a spot in France’s Impact 40/120 index, Beev is at the forefront of sustainable transport.
