Electric charging with MAES
Here you can find all useful information about electric charging
Is electric driving expensive?
For many people, the decisive factor is the cost of electric driving. Many people are happy to make the switch to a car with less polluting local emissions, but of course they do not want dip to deep into their wallets. Whether electric driving is more expensive than driving a car on traditional fuel depends on various factors.
Purchase price
In general, purchasing an electric car is even more expensive than buying a comparable petrol or diesel car. At the moment you will receive extra incentives from the government here, for example, a major advantage of an electric car is that you do not pay tax on the entry into service (BIV) in Flanders and that no annual road tax is due.
Tax options
There are also a series of incentives for companies to take the plunge, for example, electric cars are still 100 percent tax deductible for the employer. But the tax benefit is going to gradually decrease. Cars purchased in 2027 will still enjoy a tax deduction of 95 percent. For cars purchased in subsequent years, the possibility of making a tax contribution will gradually drop to 67.5 percent by 2031.
Maintenance costs
In terms of maintenance costs, you are slightly better off with an electric car. These vehicles do have fewer moving parts and no combustion engine, which means that maintenance costs are lower on average. A point of attention is the aging of the battery and the possible costs of replacement that must take place at any time. These costs are generally very high.
Residual value
What will remain an uncertain factor in the near future is the residual value of electric vehicles. We are talking about relatively new technology in which a lot of development will take place. As a result, electric cars will be able to improve significantly in the future, but this will have a less good effect on the residual value of older vehicles.
Charging cost vs fuel cost – Is electric charging expensive?
This used to be one of the push factors for purchasing an electric car. Before our recent energy crisis, you could easily save € 600 per year with a low consumption of 15,000 kilometers per year compared to petrol or diesel cars.
But since this crisis, this selling point has come under some pressure. To make the comparison, we looked at a comparison for an annual distance of 15,000 km. For electric charging, we have taken as a basis the average commercial price for electricity published by the federal energy watchdog CREG for December 2022 (58.75 cents/kWh). In addition, we have taken the petrol price at that time, which was 1.72 euros per liter. We have based this on a study by newspaper De Tijd (source – De Tijd).
We see that if you drive an electric car, you would pay more than 200 euros extra per year for 15,000 km than with a petrol car. If you cannot charge at home or at work, that can even rise to 80 cents / kWh, so even more expensive.
If you drive 15,000 km with the electric car, that
would cost you 1,762 euros.
If you drive 15,000 km with the petrol car, this
would cost you 1,548 euros.
Total picture
To view the total picture, you will therefore have to make your own calculation. You have to look at the initial price, can you benefit from incentives, where can you charge and how many kilometers do you drive, do you have solar panels, … All these things can ensure that electric driving can be cheaper for you personally than driving with a petrol or diesel car. But don’t be alarmed if this the other way around.
It is important to remember that electric driving also offers other benefits, such as lower noise levels, fewer emissions and a smoother driving experience. An argument for not buying an electric car just yet is the charging infrastructure. This will improve in the coming years, but it is not yet easy to charge everywhere on the go, something to definitely take into account! All in all, the decision whether electric driving is too expensive depends on personal circumstances, priorities and financial considerations.
All useful information about electric charging with MAES can be found below.
FAQ
How much power do I need to charge my electric car?
The power required to charge an electric car depends on the capacity of the battery and the charging speed of the charging point. In general, the larger the capacity of the battery and the faster the charging speed, the higher the power required. An average electric car has a battery capacity of about 60 kWh and can be charged from 0 to 100% in about 8 hours with a charging speed of 7.4 kW. For faster charging speeds, for example at a fast charging station, higher power is required.
Can I charge my electric car at home?
Yes, most electric cars can be charged at home using a charging station or a regular socket.
Is it safe to charge an electric car?
Yes, it is safe to charge an electric car. Electric cars are designed to be safe while charging, and most charging stations have protection mechanisms to prevent overload and short circuits.
How much does it cost to charge an electric car?
This depends on the price of the electricity and the capacity of the charging point. In general, charging an electric car is cheaper than refueling with petrol or diesel.
Can I charge my electric vehicle while driving?
At the moment it is not possible to charge an electric vehicle while driving, as wireless charging technology is still under development.
How do I pay for charging my electric vehicle?
This depends on the charging infrastructure and the payment method that has been set up. For example, you can pay with a charge card (such as the handy MAES Hybrid card), via an app or via a credit card.
Where can I charge my electric car?
You can charge your electric car at public charging points, at fast charging stations, at home or at work.
What is the range of an electric car?
The range of an electric car depends on the capacity of the battery and the consumption of the car. On average, electric cars have a range of 200 to 300 kilometers.