Electric car: how to save up to 50%

Context

TL;DR

• TCS compares prices at 19’000 Swiss charging points
• 50 kWh cost between 23 and 46 francs
• 5% of charging takes place at fast-charging stations
• The app shows availability and price according to the profile

Key facts

• Tool → TCS free radar
• Coverage → 19’000 charging points in Switzerland
• Fast charging → 50 kWh
• Cost → 23-46 francs
• Home charging → 29 centimes per kilowatt-hour on average
• Slow-charging power → 11 kilowatts
• Platforms → iOS and Android
• Charging-station status → green, red or grey

The Touring Club Svizzero has introduced a free radar that allows users to compare the rates of 19’000 charging points distributed throughout the Confederation. In the On en parle program of October 5, 2026, broadcast on RTS Première at 08.33, the radar is described as a tool for navigating a market whose rates are often far from transparent. The initiative aims to guide drivers, as has already happened with fossil fuels.

TCS tests show the possible difference for a fast 50 kWh charge: an amount sufficient for around 300 kilometres in a mid-size car can cost between 23 and 46 francs. The range is almost double.

Speaking to RTS, Moreno Volpi, a member of the TCS management, stressed: «It is almost double».

At service stations, the price per litre is displayed; for charging stations, however, activation fees and per-minute charges may be added to the cost per kilowatt-hour, while subscriptions have varying conditions. To compare offers, it is therefore necessary to consider the final price, not just the cost per kilowatt-hour.

Available for iOS and Android, the free TCS app compares electricity prices with those of petrol and diesel. Users can create a profile specifying charging speed, subscription type and operator. The system displays the nearest charging stations and their availability in real time: green indicates those that are free, red those that are occupied, while grey indicates that the information is unavailable.

A single radar for Swiss networks

For each point, the system indicates the connector type, power and total rate calculated according to the user’s personal profile. TCS also specifies that, unlike Swiss Charge, the radar brings together all operators present in Switzerland. A feature for reporting faults, price differences and new charging stations not yet catalogued is planned by the end of the year.

Operational details

How much does the choice matter in everyday life

The first practical distinction is between charging at home or at work and fast charging during a journey. In Switzerland, home charging remains the cheapest option: an average of 29 cents per kilowatt-hour, especially when the car is plugged in at night. The TCS says that slow charging at 11 kilowatts is sufficient to fill the battery overnight.

Home, work and public charging

For those who have this option, this figure shifts the comparison from the price of an individual charging station to the routine. Several companies allow their employees to charge during working hours. Those who cannot do so at home can therefore consider their workplace or destinations they frequent, instead of automatically relying on fast charging.

Only 5% of charging takes place at fast-charging stations, used mainly for long journeys. The figure suggests a concrete difference between everyday use and trips: in the former case, planning where to plug in the car matters; in the latter, waiting time, the final price and subscription terms become more important.

When the journey changes the calculation

For those who often use fast charging, whether in everyday life or while travelling, TCS identifies monthly subscriptions as a possible way to save money. The operators mentioned include Ionity, Electra, Tesla and Fastned. Prices tend to be higher on motorways, but the result depends on the subscription: it is therefore not enough to look for the nearest charging station or automatically lengthen the route.

For electric cars, there is no fixed formula analogous to the «3x5» for conventional fuels. That criterion considers it worthwhile to add 5 kilometers to the journey when the saving is at least 5 cents and at least 50 liters are refueled. On long journeys, however, time may matter more than distance: fast charging may be completed in a few dozen minutes, while slow charging may take several hours; no one wants to wait four hours on the motorway.

Range also matters: according to TCS, it is advisable to choose a vehicle capable of providing 2-3 days of typical use within a charge range between 20% and 80%. This reduces dependence on daily charging stations. At the cantonal and municipal levels, financial incentives are also available for assessing buildings and installing basic infrastructure in garages. To connect this item with the other expenses, you can consult costo della vita in Svizzera and pair it with calcolatore stipendio.

Recommended tools

For an updated estimate, use the net salary calculator and the CHF-EUR exchange comparator.

Useful tools to protect your net income

To reduce FX leakage, compare CHF-EUR exchange options and banks for cross-border workers.

Key points

The procedure before plugging in the car

Four operational steps

1. Search in advance. Anyone who cannot charge at home should open the app and check the stations near their home, workplace or frequented destinations. Planning daily AC charging makes it possible to start from an already familiar network instead of looking for a solution at the last minute.

2. Set up the profile. In the free TCS app, you indicate your preferred charging speed, subscription type and operator. If fast charging is frequent, the comparison should also include a monthly subscription, including the options available from Ionity, Electra, Tesla, Fastned or another provider.

3. Check the charging station. Before setting off, check real-time availability: green means available, red means occupied, and grey means the information is unavailable. Once the destination has been selected, check the connector type, power and final price calculated by the radar based on your profile. This allows the app to compare different operators, not just the network of a single provider.

4. Choose the right time. For a long journey, charging speed becomes the main criterion. Fast charging takes about 30-40 minutes, while slow charging can take several hours. The waiting time can be used to reply to emails, take an online language course, walk the dog or listen to a podcast, as TCS suggests.

Daily checks to carry out

For those who charge in a garage, many cantons and municipalities provide financial incentives to assess buildings and install basic infrastructure. Those who use a car for work can instead check whether their employer allows charging during working hours. Both measures are separate from choosing a fast-charging station and are intended to reduce reliance on public charging stops.

By the end of the year, TCS plans to activate a feature for reporting faults, price differences and new charging stations that have not yet been catalogued. Once it is available, drivers will also be able to use the radar to help update the information. The operational criterion remains simple: set up the profile, check the price and availability before setting off, and choose the solution that fits the time available.

To complete the comparison of personal expenses, use the calcolatore stipendio.

Source: rsi.ch