Our experience with electric charging on holiday after 80,000 km

Lately, more and more articles have been appearing about the so-called “hidden costs” of electric cars on vacation. It all began with “charging stress” – the fear that there wouldn’t be any charging points. Then came the horror stories about long queues at charging stations, and now people are once again being scared with tales of unexpected charges. But how realistic are these stories, really?

Charging in Ács (Hungary)

We’ve been driving an electric car for two years and have already covered over 80,000 kilometers. Every year we go on vacation to Hungary twice (to visit family), and in addition we’ve taken our EV to France, Italy, Belgium, Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria, Croatia, Romania, Slovenia, and Slovakia. So we’ve gained plenty of charging experience all over Europe.

This article is based on our genuine, hands-on experience. No scare stories—just a practical look at electric driving on holiday.

See our here for our Dutch version.

Why People Are Put Off: Misconceptions

Many of the negative stories come from people who have never driven electrically for any length of time themselves. Yes, there are chargers where you’ll incur extra fees if you stay plugged in too long. Yes, there are different pricing structures between providers. But that doesn’t mean that traveling with an EV has to be complicated or expensive.

At the charger in Ács (Hungary)

The key? Preparation, the right apps, and good charging cards.

Charging Cards: Which Ones Work Best?

We’ve used several charging cards by now—ANWB, KIA, and even Ionity’s own app—and there’s a world of difference between them.

ANWB Charging Card

The ANWB card is the largest in the Netherlands, but in our view not the best—especially on price, where you can find better alternatives. Still, if you want maximum certainty, it’s a solid choice.

• Coverage: Works with an enormous number of providers all over Europe, so you can charge almost anywhere.

• Transparent Pricing: You always pay the same rate in the country where you charge.

• Downside: You don’t benefit from the lower rates that some networks (like Ionity or Tesla) offer to their own subscribers.

• Advantage: Charges are simply debited from your account—no credit-card registration needed.

Tesla Supercharging Subscription

Tesla now lets non-Tesla drivers plug in at its Superchargers in most countries—and their network keeps growing, often in unexpected locations. Note, though, that some of the older stalls can be slower than modern chargers, so plan accordingly.

• Monthly Fee: €11.99 (cancel any time, monthly)

• Charging Rates (peak/off-peak): Vary by country—typically between €0.30 and €0.40 per kWh—though not all stations use time-of-day pricing.

• Pros: Lower rates than pay-as-you-go users; integrated into the Tesla app; no extra card needed.

• Cons: Idle fees can apply if you stay plugged in longer than necessary—these can add up, especially when chargers are at supermarkets where you might stroll away from your car.

Ionity App

Ionity is our personal favorite. Their network along Europe’s highways—especially in Germany—is excellent, and their chargers are almost always faster than your battery can accept.

• Monthly Subscription: €11.99 (cancel any time, monthly)

• Example Rate in Germany: €0.39/kWh—often the cheapest option for long-distance travel.

• Pros: Rapidly growing, reliable network at major fuel stations across Europe.

• Con: Each charging session requires a €40 reservation hold on your card (released after you finish charging).

KIA Charging Card

Very similar to Ionity’s own app: discounts at Ionity stations, almost the same coverage as ANWB.

• Coverage: You can charge at almost any public charger, but prices vary by operator—so watch the rates.

• App: User-friendly; you can start charging directly via the Kia app (though you’ll also receive a physical card).

Shell Recharge / E-on

A handy backup option—sometimes available where other fast chargers aren’t.

• Payment: Pay with your credit card—no separate card required.

• Cost: Generally a bit higher per kWh than specialist networks, but still reasonable.

Differences by Country

In some countries charging is super-easy and cheap (Germany, Austria), while in others (Romania) you really have to hunt. Here’s our take:

• Germany/Austria: Lots of Ionity stations; fast, reliable, and cheap with a subscription.

• Hungary: Few Ionity sites, but they’re in the right spots—at the border (Ács), by Lake Balaton, around Budapest, and between Budapest and Miskolc. New chargers are appearing, but slowly. Avoid Mobiliti poles: they cost around €1/kWh, top out at 50 kW, and are broken 9 times out of 10.

• France/Italy: Good coverage and only slightly more expensive than Germany—perfectly manageable with solid planning.

• Romania: Tricky. Inland you often find only slow chargers in small towns—and very sporadically. Near cities it’s better. We once found a great fast charger at a BMW dealer just over the border. Tesla chargers exist but are pricier without a subscription. (Our experience is two years old, so it’s surely improved since then.)

• Croatia, Slovenia, Slovakia: Decent coverage from local providers; Ionity on highways and even some secondary roads (national N-roads).

Our Tips & Experience with Electric Charging on Holiday

1. Always use fast chargers on vacation—you rarely have hours to wait at an AC charger.

2. Download multiple charging apps (Kia Charge, Shell Recharge, Tesla, Ionity) to compare current prices and availability.

3. Save your favorite charging spots in Google Maps—build your own network for the return trip or next journey.

4. Watch out for Tesla Superchargers: they’re more expensive for non-Tesla drivers and can levy idle fees, especially at supermarket locations.

5. Carry a backup charging card. Even if you mainly use Ionity or Tesla, a free card from another provider is smart. A credit card can work too, though you miss out on app discounts.

6. Cancel trial subscriptions right after your trip to save money—you won’t lose any convenience. (Full confession: we often forget this for 1–2 months.)

7. Plan broadly, but charge flexibly. Keep your end goal in mind, but let your charging stops depend on the available fast chargers. Tesla navigation can plot an ideal route, but you remain tied to their network.

8. Don’t obsess over the “perfect” charging route. It’s fine to top up briefly every 180 km—especially at cheap chargers like Ionity. Stopping for 10–15 minutes every couple of hours will leave you more refreshed upon arrival.

“Hidden Costs” Are Often Overblown

There’s plenty of talk about hidden costs when charging. Sure, if you sit at an expensive charger for three hours, your bill can skyrocket—but who really does that? We always charge to 80% and then move on. Charging to 100% is rarely necessary and often inefficient.

With the right subscription and a bit of vigilance, you’ll pay far less on the road than you would for a gasoline car.

Tip: Build your own charging network in Google Maps by saving favorite locations (as shown in the screenshot). That way you’ll always have a trusted charger nearby, even in unfamiliar territory.

Charging Stress? What Was That Again?

Our personal chargingstation map

Charging stress is a thing of the past for us. In 2023 and 2024 we never waited more than five minutes on any trip—and most holidays we didn’t wait at all, provided we avoided absolute peak times (e.g. Saturday at 10 AM in July on the A7 southbound).

Make your timing and flexibility your allies: exit the motorway a bit early if a station looks crowded, use your apps and Google Maps, and turn charging stops into enjoyable breaks—grab a bite or stretch your legs with the dog.

Conclusion: Electric on Holiday Is a Pleasure, Not a

Challenge

After 80,000 km of electric driving, we can say with confidence: going on holiday in an EV isn’t an obstacle—it’s an enrichment. You’re forced to take breaks in often beautiful spots, you discover new “fuel” stations you’d never have visited otherwise, and it’s more economical, too.

With a little preparation, the right charging card or app (Ionity, Tesla, etc.), and a healthy dose of common sense, electric travel becomes a carefree and affordable experience.

So don’t be deterred by exaggerated stories of charging stress or hidden costs. The reality is: electric holiday driving is mature—and only getting better.