EV charging subscriptions: are they worth it?

Streaming. Fitness apps. Food deliveries. Even our morning coffee seems to have a subscription these days.

So it probably shouldn't come as a huge surprise that EV charging has joined the subscription club.

But an EV charging subscription can mean a few different things. You might pay a monthly fee for cheaper charging, get a set amount of charging included, or pay for access to a particular service or its features.

And while the right subscription can save you money, paying for one you don't need can do exactly the opposite.

So, are EV charging subscriptions actually worth it? Let's work it out.

What is an EV charging subscription?

An EV charging subscription is a paid plan that gives you some kind of benefit when you charge your car.

That could mean:

• paying less per kWh

• getting a set amount of charging included each month

• getting access to particular charging networks

• paying for a charging service or membership

• getting a physical charging card or other benefits

The important thing to remember is that not all EV charging subscriptions work in the same way.

Some are designed for drivers who regularly use a particular charging network. Others charge a membership fee for access to a wider service. And some give you a fixed amount of charging each month.

So before you sign up, it's worth checking exactly what you're paying for.

The different types of EV charging subscription

So, do you actually need a charging subscription?

Probably not everyone needs an EV charging subscription.

If you mostly charge at home and only use public chargers occasionally, paying a monthly fee for cheaper public charging might not make much sense.

But if you're regularly using public rapid chargers, particularly the same network, a subscription could potentially save you quite a bit.

You probably don't need one if:

• You do most of your charging at home.

• You only use public chargers occasionally.

• You regularly switch between lots of different networks.

• You'd be subscribing "just in case".

It could be worth considering if:

• You regularly charge away from home.

• You frequently use the same charging network.

• You do lots of long-distance journeys.

• You rely heavily on rapid or ultra-rapid charging.

• The discount is enough to outweigh the subscription fee.

And there's an important distinction here:

Charging frequently doesn't automatically mean a subscription is worth it.

It's about how much you charge, where you charge and how much the subscription saves you.

How to work out if an EV charging subscription is worth it

This is the bit that really matters.

Don't just look at the headline discount. Do the maths based on how much you actually charge.

Let's say a subscription costs £9.99 a month.

Without it, charging costs 75p/kWh.

With it, charging costs 65p/kWh.

That's a saving of 10p per kWh.

£9.99 ÷ £0.10 = 99.9 kWh

So you'd need to charge roughly 100 kWh a month at that rate just to break even.

Charge more than that and you could start saving money.

Charge less and the subscription could actually leave you worse off.

Here's why that's important 

A "discount" isn't automatically a saving.

If you only charge 30 kWh a month, a 15p/kWh discount saves you £4.50. If the subscription costs £9.99, you're actually £5.49 worse off.

So before signing up, ask yourself:

• How much do I actually charge each month?

• How much will the subscription save me?

• Will I use the network enough to cover the subscription cost?

What else should you check?

Maths isn't the only thing to consider.

Before signing up, check:

• Where can I use it? A subscription might only apply to one network, certain chargers or particular countries.

• What happens if I don't use it? If there's a monthly charging allowance, check whether unused kWh roll over.

• Does it automatically renew? Make sure you know when and how you'll be charged again.

• Can I cancel? Check whether there's a minimum commitment or cancellation period.

And if you regularly travel across Europe, check whether the subscription works outside your home country too.

What if I use lots of different charging networks?

This is where subscriptions can become less straightforward.

If you regularly use the same network, a network-specific subscription can make sense.

But if your charging is spread across lots of different networks, you might not use one subscription enough to make it worthwhile.

You might use one network near home, another on the motorway and something completely different when you're travelling.

In that situation, flexibility can be more useful than committing to one network.

And that's where using an app with access to lots of charging networks can come in handy.

Do you need a subscription to use an EV charging app?

No - and this is an important distinction.

Some EV charging services charge a subscription or membership fee simply to access their service or certain benefits.

Others let you use the service without a paid membership, with optional subscriptions available if you want a particular discount.

That's how Electroverse works.

You don't need to pay a monthly subscription just to use Electroverse.

You can use the app to find chargers, check charging information, start a charge and pay for your charging without paying for an Electroverse membership.

If you regularly use a charging network that offers an optional Electroverse subscription, you can choose to opt in if the saving makes sense for you.

Use Electroverse for free. Subscribe when it saves you money.

It's about giving you the choice to decide whether a particular subscription works for the way you charge.

Feeling enlightened or do you think something was missing? Let us know by sharing your feedback.

Interested in learning more? Head over to our Electroverse Community area for more electrifying content.