- Electricity tariffs double, lifting EV charging costs from October.
- Petrol costs around 8 lei per liter, widening the EV-petrol cost gap.
- Romania’s charging infrastructure is underdeveloped, limiting daily EV practicality.
- i-PACE costs ~500 lei more per distance than F-PACE; e-Niro ~450 lei more than Sportage.
The current economic and political context presents significant challenges to the adoption of electric vehicles. Starting in October, the running costs of electric cars are set to exceed those of petrol-powered vehicles, a paradoxical situation that casts doubt on the pace of the transition to electric mobility.
The impact of rising electricity prices
The unit cost of electricity is set to double under the new energy tariffs, directly affecting charging expenses for electric vehicles. This rise comes at a time when gasoline prices have fallen and hover around 8 lei per liter. As a result, the cost gap between the two propulsion types becomes increasingly evident, favoring petrol.
Market uncertainty and a potential acute energy shortage make it difficult to forecast long-term cost trends. For current EV owners and potential buyers, this presents a major challenge in planning transport expenditures.
Charging infrastructure in Romania
In addition to higher costs, electric vehicle owners in Romania face an underdeveloped charging infrastructure. The relatively small number of public charging stations significantly limits the practicality of daily use of electric cars, especially for longer trips.
Real comparison between electric and gasoline models
Premium segment: Jaguar i-PACE vs F-PACE
According to calculations by the RAC technical assistance service, the owner of a Jaguar i-PACE, an electric SUV, would spend about 500 lei more to travel the same distance as a driver of the gasoline Jaguar F-PACE.
Specifications:
- F-PACE (gasoline): range of about 650 km on a full tank costing around 300 lei
- i-PACE (electric): range of only 460 km, requiring more frequent charging for the same distance, with an additional cost of 500 lei after the October tariff hikes
Mainstream segment: Kia e-Niro vs Sportage
A Kia e-Niro owner would need to spend 450 lei more than a Kia Sportage driver to cover the same distance. This significant difference makes the economic argument in favor of EVs increasingly fragile.
Rising charging costs
A full charge of a typical family-sized electric SUV will cost 84% more from October onwards than under the current price cap. This drastic increase will have a substantial impact on the monthly budget of EV owners.
Public charging points have no option but to raise prices to reflect higher wholesale costs. This will hit drivers who rely on public charging infrastructure, especially those living in apartments without the possibility of installing home charging stations.
Challenges in the electric vehicle market
Rising demand for electric cars, combined with a global shortage of vital technology, has driven up purchase prices. The global semiconductor shortage continues to affect production, limiting availability and keeping prices high.
Moreover, the alarming rise in electricity prices further complicates the equation. Figures from the Society of Automotive Manufacturers and Traders show a 50% increase in EV registrations in the first seven months of the year compared to the same period in 2021, but this trend could be affected by new economic realities.
The future of electric mobility
The decision to migrate entirely to electric vehicles remains undecided. The European Union aims to ban combustion-powered cars as soon as possible to reduce pollution, but the success of this strategy depends on public acceptance.
However, it is not certain that people will embrace these changes while their wallets are heavily affected if energy prices continue to rise. The transition to electric mobility requires not only adequate infrastructure and affordable technology but also economic stability and predictable operating costs.
For electric vehicles to become a viable choice for the broad mass of consumers, a balance is needed between environmental policies, infrastructure development, and energy price stability. Without these conditions, mass adoption of electric cars will remain a significant challenge.
