The cost of an electric car in Switzerland: how much does an electric car really cost?
The purchase price can be steep – we know that. But it only tells half the story. The cost over the entire useful life of the car, also known as the total cost of ownership (TCO), is a crucial number to consider.
By this metric, an electric car is generally superior to a comparable combustion engine vehicle.
Where electric cars are actually cheaper
Electricity is cheaper than petrol. The TCS petrol price radar looked at approximately 2,200 petrol stations, and found that 9 out of 10 have increased their prices since the start of the war in the Middle East at the end of February.
In Switzerland, charging an electric car at home costs an average of CHF 0.277 per kWh – that’s around CHF 5 per 100 km. With a combustion engine, it costs double – or more. Over a year, that alone makes a noticeable difference.
What’s more, an electric car has hardly any wear parts. It doesn’t need oil changes, has no clutch, no exhaust. It needs fewer garage appointments, causes fewer unexpected bills.
And in many cantons, electric car drivers even pay less vehicle tax. All in all, it’s pretty convincing.
What you need to know about the purchase price
Yes, the purchase price of an electric car can be higher. However, this difference balances out over time due to the lower operating costs.
Electric car charging in Switzerland: costs, wall boxes and public stations
For many beginners, charging is the biggest unknown. How does it work on a day-to-day basis? Where do I charge? And how much does it cost?
Charging at home – the cheapest option
Just imagine you come home, plug in your car – just like you do with your phone – and in the morning, you set off with a full battery. No stopping at the petrol station, no queuing. For most people, this is the simplest option by far. A wall box, i.e. a permanently installed home charging station, is recommended for this. It charges much faster than a normal household socket and is safer for continuous use.
In Switzerland, the installation costs for a wall box range from between CHF 1,000 and CHF 2,500, depending on the model and the labour involved. If you live in a rental property or a flat, you will need the consent of the property owner or the owners of the other flats in the building. That might sound like a hurdle, but nowadays it is no longer much of an issue.
Here’s what to do: Home charging stations for electric cars – even for rental properties or apartment buildings.
Public charging stations in Switzerland
Switzerland has one of the highest-density public charging networks in Europe. Charging stations can be found at shopping centres, in multi-storey car parks, on motorways and in city centres. You can charge while you shop at Migros, go to the cinema or at a service area on the motorway, usually without any active planning at all.
This is more than enough for most daily trips.
You usually need a charging card or an app from the provider to charge at public stations. Costs vary depending on the network and charging speed, but are typically between CHF 0.40 and CHF 0.80 per kWh.
How much does charging cost compared to refuelling?
Here’s an example: an electric car that consumes 18 kWh/100 km costs around CHF 5 per 100 km when charged at home. At a public charging station, it costs around CHF 7 to CHF 14. With a combustion engine car that consumes seven litres of petrol to drive 100 km, it costs around CHF 12.60 at a petrol price of CHF 1.80. So an electric car is usually cheaper, even when charging publicly. With the Basic electricity package and a vehicle from the VW group, Clyde customers also benefit from an attractive charging rate of CHF 0.28 per kWh.
Charging with Clyde
With Clyde, you can choose between two options when you subscribe. With ‘Basic – without electricity’, you pay for charging yourself. With ‘Premium – with electricity’, public charging at 98% of the charging stations in Switzerland and 80% in Europe is included in your monthly payment. Billing is processed in the chargeON app, and the invoice is sent directly to Clyde.
If you charge your car privately, i.e. at home or at work, you receive a refund of CHF 0.30 per kWh to your bank account with the Premium option. This means that charging costs are mostly covered, regardless of where you charge.
All charging costs in detail: Electric car charging in Switzerland: what costs should you expect?
Range – is it enough for day-to-day use?
Concerns about range are one of the most common reasons why people delay switching to an electric car. Practical experience has shown that in almost all cases, the range of modern electric cars is sufficient for everyday life in Switzerland.
How far do you really get?
Depending on the model, the latest electric cars can cover between 300 and 600 km on a single charge. More affordable entry-level models such as the Dacia Spring can cover a distance of around 220 km, while mid-range vehicles such as the CUPRA Born and the VW ID.3 can cover a distance of 400 to 500 km. For comparison, the average Swiss person travels around 30 km per day according to the Federal Statistical Office. This means that a single overnight charge is enough for a whole week of standard daily use.
Range in detail: Range of electric cars: this is how far your electric car will really go.
What about in winter?
In winter, the range of an electric car decreases. Cold reduces the power of the battery and heating consumes additional energy. Depending on the model and the outdoor temperature, the range can be reduced by 20 to 30%. That might sound like a lot, but it’s usually not a problem for standard daily use. If you charge your car at home overnight and pre-heat the vehicle before you set off while it is still plugged in, you hardly lose any range. And let’s be honest, doesn’t it sound nice to get into a pre-heated electric car when it’s cold outside?
All tips for winter: Electric cars in winter: what you need to know.
Buying, leasing or subscribing to an electric car: which option is the cheapest?
If you want to use an electric car, you have three options. The best option depends on your personal situation.
Purchase – when is it worth it?
Buying an electric car comes with the highest initial costs, but with the benefits of low operating costs and vehicle ownership in the long term. Buying makes sense if you know what you want, plan to drive it for a long time and have no problem with the high starting price. However, people who value flexibility or are not sure which model is best-suited to their needs might be better advised not to buy a car.
Leasing – advantages and disadvantages
Leasing reduces the financial burden compared to buying and is suitable for those who want to drive a new model without owning it. But the costs of insurance, taxes, servicing and tyres are usually added separately. Leasing is a solid option for people who can accurately estimate their mileage and don’t mind the fixed term.
Subscription – get started with no risk
An electric car subscription works like Netflix for a car: a monthly rate with everything included. Insurance, taxes and servicing are included in the monthly payment and, with Clyde, electricity can also be included if desired. No risk, no major investment, no long-term commitment. A subscription is the most affordable and straightforward option, especially for beginners who want to try out an electric car first.
Electric car subscription comparison: subscription, leasing or purchase?
Myths about electric cars: what’s the truth?
We have all heard them before. At work, the pub, in the newspaper. Let’s clear things up.
Myth 1: ‘Charging takes forever.’ At modern fast-charging stations, batteries can be charged to 80% in 20 to 30 minutes. When charging an electric car at home, you just plug it in in the evening to set off in the morning with a full battery. Charging is barely noticeable in everyday life.
Myth 2: ‘The batteries don’t last long.’ Modern battery designs last 150,000 to 300,000 km. Most manufacturers provide an eight-year warranty on the battery.
Myth 3: ‘Electric cars aren’t really environmentally friendly.’ It’s true that the production of an electric car generates more CO2 than the production of a combustion engine vehicle. But the electric car performs significantly better over its useful life – especially in Switzerland, where the power supply contains a high percentage of renewable energy.
Other stubborn myths: 10 electric car myths put to the test
Conclusion
It is possible to get started affordably with no risk and no surprise costs. And it’s usually easier than you might think. Looking at the overall costs, electric cars demonstrate a clear advantage over internal combustion engine vehicles after just a few years. Charging is easier than expected, the range is sufficient for day-to-day use and concerns about a dead battery or a short service life are easily discredited.
Take out a subscription to try an electric car.
Frequently asked questions
No. An electric car drives like a normal automatic transmission car. The main differences from a combustion engine car are charging and range, both of which can be quickly learned.
This can be easily avoided with a little planning. Modern electric cars always show the charging status and give timely warnings. If you charge the car regularly, you will hardly ever run out of power – similar to a petrol car, which you also don’t drive on reserve.
Yes. If you don’t have a charging facility at home, you can only use public charging stations. This works particularly well in cities and agglomerations where the charging network is dense. With the premium option at Clyde, public charging is already included.
Yes. There are many spacious electric cars with large trunk spaces and enough room for the whole family. For longer excursions, it is advisable to plan some charging stops in advance – these can be easily combined with a break.
Try it out. Your way.
Get started with e-mobility with no risk: insurance, servicing, taxes and tyres are included in one monthly rate – even the electricity too, if you like.
