Electric car users experience a new development as the Smart-tank app displays ad-hoc electricity pricing for the first time.
In the world of electric mobility, transparency and easy access to refueling options are paramount, much like the principles learned from fuel price comparisons. Steffen Bock, the managing director of Clever Tanken, emphasizes this point, stating that decreasing electricity prices and transparency are key to sustainable market development, rather than small-scale subsidies or purchase premiums.
Since 2013, Clever Tanken has been receiving the current prices from the Market Transparency Stelle für Fuels (MTS-K). Now, the company has expanded its services to include ad-hoc electric vehicle (EV) charging price comparison in Germany. This development is a response to the European Union's regulation on the establishment of the infrastructure for alternative fuels (AFIR), which mandates that all charging stations must offer ad-hoc charging options.
However, the AFIR regulation has not yet effectively ensured price transparency or simplified price comparison for ad-hoc charging users in Germany. The German Automobile Club (ADAC) reported that price differences for ad-hoc charging at stations near highways can be very large—up to 62% higher compared to prices for members or subscribers. This significant price variation, combined with the lack of clear visibility of prices at charging stations and some user-unfriendly technologies, limits consumers’ ability to easily compare prices and make informed choices.
Clever Tanken aims to address this issue by offering a new service in its "Clever Charging" section. Users can now compare prices for ad-hoc charging of electric vehicles in Germany. The revised EU regulation on AFIR, effective from April 13, 2024, requires operators of newly built, publicly accessible DC charging stations with at least 50 kW charging power to enable spontaneous charging processes without a prior contract. These charging stations must support common payment methods such as credit or debit cards, as well as alternative QR code-based payment systems.
Operators of charging points with lower power or older installations can voluntarily upgrade them to comply with the new regulations. The "Clever Charging" section of the app, which has been part of Clever Tanken since 2018, will gradually fill with prices through various available sources and user reports.
In urgent situations, some electric vehicle users may not be able to use a charging point due to lacking the right card or app. With the introduction of ad-hoc price comparison, this gap is now being addressed, making it easier for users to find and use charging points regardless of their membership status.
Clever Tanken's goal is to establish a transparent system across all charging providers in Germany, offering a standard for spontaneous charging. This move is a significant step towards creating a more integrated and consumer-friendly EV charging market, despite the current implementation gaps leading to inconsistent user experiences across Europe, including Germany.
- In the expanded services of Clever Tanken, electric vehicle (EV) charging price comparison has been added, responding to the European Union's AFIR regulation enforcing ad-hoc charging options at all stations.
- The lack of price transparency and complex price comparison for ad-hoc charging users in Germany has been highlighted by the German Automobile Club (ADAC), with price differences at stations near highways reaching up to 62% higher for non-members or subscribers.
- Clever Tanken's initiative to address this issue includes the launch of a new service in the "Clever Charging" section, allowing users to easily compare prices for ad-hoc EV charging across Germany.
- The EU's revised AFIR regulation, effective from April 13, 2024, mandates operators of newly built, publicly accessible DC charging stations with at least 50 kW charging power to support common payment methods, simplifying access to charging for all users, including those with electric vehicles.
