How much does it cost to buy an electric car charging station?

As the number of electric cars on the road increases, so does the demand for charging stations. These charging points are essential for the future of electric mobility, both for individuals and businesses, but also for owners of public parking lots, shopping malls, and many other entities.

But how much does a charging station cost? Is it really worth it to buy it and operate it independently? We discuss this in this article.

Charging columns: how much do they cost?

Charging stations for electric cars are classified according to their charging speed and available power. The most common levels are three:

1. Slow charging columns (AC 1-2 kW)

• Average cost: 300€ - 600€
• Description: Ideal for home recharging or private parking, these columns connect to standard household 230V outlets and are suitable for extended recharging, such as overnight recharging. Charging speed is low: the time required can vary from 6 to 12 hours, depending on the vehicle's battery capacity.

2. Intermediate charging columns (AC 3-22 kW)

• Average cost: €1,500-€3,000
• Description: Most popular in public environments such as corporate parking lots, hotels, and shopping malls, these columns offer faster charging (4 to 8 hours). They can be equipped with integrated payment systems and remote monitoring capabilities, making them ideal for businesses that want to offer a charging service to their customers or employees.

3. Rapid and ultrafast charging columns (DC 50-350 kW and above).

• Average cost: from €15,000 to over €150,000
• Description: Also known as fast chargers, these posts use direct current (DC) and allow a car to be recharged in less than 30 minutes. They are an ideal choice for high-traffic areas such as highways and gas stations. However, their high cost and complex technical requirements limit their deployment to large operators.

Hidden costs

In addition to the cost of the hardware, buying a column involves additional expenses that vary depending on the power and type of installation. Among the main costs to consider are:

• Connection to the power grid and power line upgrading if necessary
• Installation and labor: cost varies depending on the complexity of the task
• Permits and bureaucracy: paperwork and permits
• Maintenance costs: especially for quick columns, which need regular servicing
• Logistics and transport: for example, a 350 kW column may weigh several tons and require specialized means for transport and installation

In addition, one must consider the cost of recharges, which depends on the contract with the energy supplier and the rates charged to end users.

Incentives for installation of charging stations.

In Italy and many other European countries, there are government incentives for the purchase and installation of charging stations for both individuals and businesses. Among the main incentives are:

• Tax credit of up to 80 percent for the purchase and installation of charging infrastructure
• Grants for businesses investing in public charging solutions
• Regional and local calls with funding dedicated to sustainable mobility

However, these incentives often have limited funds and are quickly exhausted. For this reason, it is important to evaluate more stable and strategic alternatives for installing charging stations.

Is it worth buying a column or relying on a specialized operator?

While buying a charging station and operating it yourself may seem like an attractive investment, there are several factors to consider:

• Return on investment: without an established network of users, payback time can be long
• Technical and administrative management: a column must be monitored, updated and maintained over time
• Energy costs: without an appropriate strategy, the cost of energy can reduce the profitability of infrastructure

For this reason, many companies and individuals prefer to rely on specialized operators such as Powy, who offer turnkey solutions, directly managing the installation, maintenance, and operation of the columns.

Powy: your ally for electric mobility

If you want to take the step toward electric mobility, Powy offers customized solutions for the installation and management of charging stations throughout Italy. Our network is continually expanding and we support companies, hotels, parking lots and others in the transition to electric, with profitable business models and without the burden of autonomous management.

🚀Contact us today to find out how we can help you transition to electric mobility!

About Powy

Powy is a company that owns, develops and operates Italy's leading independent network of public charging infrastructure for electric vehicles, with a growing presence in Spain as well.

Founded in Turin, Italy in 2018, Powy is at the center of the transition to more sustainable mobility, offering an innovative charging infrastructure that uses only 100 percent renewable energy.

Powy 's network includes quick, fast, and ultra-fast charging solutions strategically placed in public and private parking lots, supermarkets, shopping malls, and transportation hubs to ensure maximum convenience and accessibility for EV drivers. Each station is equipped with advanced technologies to provide a reliable and efficient charging experience.

Learn more: wpowy.energy