Do you want to buy your new car in Luxembourg? Are you hesitating between a car loan and a leasing? Here is a guide to help you!
Tesla, Porsche, BMW, Hyundai, Volkswagen... Electric vehicles are becoming more and more numerous in Luxembourg. Are you thinking of buying an electric car and wondering how to charge it in the Grand Duchy? We'll explain it all to you!
This is the first question of every electric vehicle owner: where to find a charging point to recharge your car? For a long time, Luxembourg has had little in the way of a network of electric charging stations.
The development of kiosks has accelerated considerably in recent years in Luxembourg. Notably thanks to the 8000€ environmental bonus paid by the government for the purchase of a clean vehicle. This bonus has boosted the adoption of this new mode of transport: the Tesla Model 3 or Model Y are more and more numerous on the roads of the Grand Duchy!
In Luxembourg, as in most countries, there are many networks of charging stations running alongside each other. The most extensive local network is "CHARGY"which is accessible under two conditions:
Most public kiosks are also accessible with a subscription or a card from another European country (such as the Chargemap for example).
However, you should know that the price of a top-up in Luxembourg is quite high:
These prices depend on the billing method: if you use the card provided by your electricity supplier, you will be entitled to small discounts. On the other hand, if you pay directly at the CHARGY station, the kWh will be a little more expensive. In any case, this price is close to what you might pay when recharging on the motorway in border countries (France, Belgium, Germany).
Unsurprisingly, most stations are located in the greater Luxembourg area. In particular in the city centre and in the surrounding towns (Strassen, Bertrange, Walferdange).
In general, charging stations are located in the following places:
All you have to do is plug in when you arrive. However, be prepared to wait a little while: places are in demand, especially at weekends when Luxembourgers go shopping!
The brand known for its Model 3 or Model Y has very few charging stations in the Grand Duchy. However, it is possible to plan your trip and check the presence of Superchargers by using this Tesla route simulator.
The advantage is that Tesla is one of the only brands to offer ultra-fast recharging with a power of 250kW, allowing the car's battery to be fully recharged in 30 minutes. However, these stations are located off the motorway, so you will have to plan to change your route slightly.
If you regularly drive on the motorway, you may have come across IONITY charging stations on your travels in France or Germany. These are charging points that allow you to recharge your car in 20 to 30 minutes. But for the moment, Luxembourg has very few ultra-fast charging stations.
If we take the Luxembourg network CHARGY, the company offers two types of terminals:
Before plugging in your car, take into account the power of the charging station you are going to use. This will allow you to plan your activities more effectively, and you won't be afraid to hit the road again.
While recharging an electric vehicle is cheaper than filling up with petrol, it is not free!
It all depends on the price per kWh charged by the terminal, but also your electricity contract. Some providers offer discounts on the price of a CHARGY top-up.
Once you have an electricity contract with a Luxembourg supplier, you can apply for an mKaart (CHARGY's card): you will use this card at the various kiosks, and you will be charged the amount agreed in your contract. Find out the prices charged by the various suppliers before committing yourself.
You should also be aware that this price may vary according to changes in CHARGY tariffs, and the evolution of your electricity supplier's commercial offer.
Even though electricity prices have risen in recent years, charging an electric car is still much cheaper than filling up with fuel.
If you have chosen to buy an electric car to save money in the long term, rest assured that you have made the right choice!
Good to know some car insurance offer a breakdown service for electric vehicles if you run out of battery power on the road. Check with your insurance company to see if they offer this.
If you are a homeowner, you may be tempted to install a charging station at home so that you can charge at night, quietly and cheaply. This is indeed a good solution, since most platforms like CHARGY, Tesla or Chargemap charge a fee, in addition to the actual cost of the kWh consumed. By recharging at home, you only pay for the number of kWh consumed: nothing more!
Nevertheless, installing a bollard is an investment: it is necessary to count about 1700€ for a complete installation by a professional. However, this investment pays for itself quickly: after one year, you will have recovered the costs compared to the use of public terminals.
In addition, the process can be complex depending on the type of accommodation you live in. Here are two examples:
This is the simplest case.
You can start charging your vehicle immediately, and you will be charged at the price set out in your electricity contract. Remember to inform your electricity supplier and see if you can get a cheaper deal for your use.
The situation is then more complicated, as your car is usually located in a collective car park with the cars of the co-owners.
If you want to install an electric car charging point in your car park, talk to your neighbours! Most of the time, other owners also have an electric car, or are considering buying one. If they too are looking for a way to charge their Tesla Model S or Volkswagen ID3 at home, they may be tempted to join you.
You could then pool the costs and efforts. Everyone will pay less, and everyone will have access to a charging point to recharge their vehicle!
Unfortunately, there is no such thing as free electricity! The cheapest method is to charge your electric car at home. You pay the price of your consumption, and nothing more. By charging at a public station, you pay more per kWh than your electricity contract allows for at home.
If you charge your car at home, a charge will cost an average of €5 to €10, depending on the vehicle model. If you recharge at a public charging point, you will need to pay between €20 and €30. Finally, if you recharge on the motorway (IONITY stations, for example), you should expect to pay between €20 and €30. As with petrol stations, recharging on the motorway is the most expensive.
You can use any socket in your house with an adapter to charge your car. However, it will take about 15 hours (or more) for a full charge. If you want to charge your car quickly, you will need to have a charging point installed in your garage. The installation costs...
In Luxembourg, you can recharge your car using the CHARGY network of public charging stations. These charging stations are available all over the country. There are both normal and ultra-fast charging stations. To use them, you can either pay by credit card (if you are visiting Luxembourg) or use an mKaart provided by your Luxembourg electricity supplier.
Unfortunately, the electric charging points are not free. You either need a card (CHARGY mKaart, Chargemap Pass) to use them, or you can pay by credit card directly at the terminal. You will then be charged for each kWh consumed.
The price of charging stations varies greatly depending on the network, the type of station and the location of the station. A full charge with a CHARGY station in a commercial car park can cost you 15 to 25€. The same with an IONITY charging point on a motorway will cost you 30 to 45€.
It all depends on the power of the charging station. With a standard public charging station, a Tesla Model S or Model Y can take 1.5 to 2 hours to fully charge. Using an ultra-fast charging station, you can fully charge your electric car in 15 to 20 minutes. Make sure you check the power of the charging point before plugging in your car: the higher the power, the faster it will be!
Do you want to buy your new car in Luxembourg? Are you hesitating between a car loan and a leasing? Here is a guide to help you!
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