Ionity tests new kWh pricing model

These tariffs are initially only valid for one week, up to and including 27 November. During this time, the new conditions apply around the clock; however, there is no dynamic pricing depending on the time of day or actual capacity utilisation. On its website, Ionity only writes: “Temporarily different prices apply at individual locations in selected countries.”

In Germany, 18 locations are included on the new price list. The price for ad-hoc charging at Ionity without registration is currently €0.69/kWh in Germany. With the ‘Ionity Passport’ priced at €11.99 per month, there is a discount of 20 cents per kilowatt hour, resulting in €0.49/kWh. At six of the 18 German test locations, even higher prices apply this week, namely €0.89/kWh or €0.69/kWh with the Passport discount.

At twelve locations, however, charging with Ionity is significantly cheaper: until November 27, only €0.45/kWh will be charged here in the Direct tariff. As there is also a 20-cent discount with the Passport tariff, fast charging will only cost 25 cents per kilowatt hour. The exact locations can be found in the price list linked below.

Higher and lower tariffs are also being tested in the Netherlands. Instead of €0.79/kWh (or €0.59/kWh with the Passport), three stations are also charging €0.89/kWh (or €0.69/kWh). At three other stations, however, prices will fall to €0.40/kWh and €0.20/kWh with the Passport discount.

In Denmark, Norway and Sweden, charging at all the stations listed will be cheaper as part of the test – in Sweden, the regular tariff is currently SEK 8.70/kWh, while the test tariff is SEK 4.10/kWh and with the Passport it is as low as SEK 1.84/kWh. In the UK, the regular tariff is GBP 0.74/kWh. At the eight test stations, however, GBP 0.77/kWh will be charged this week. There are no cheaper prices in the UK as part of the current promotion.

We inquired with Ionity Germany whether these new prices were a test or even an indication of Ionity changing its pricing strategy.

“Ionity has not changed its pricing strategy,” the spokesperson said. “We are merely running temporary price campaigns at selected locations in five European countries. Price reductions predominate, from which our customers benefit.”

However, perhaps the provider will adapt its Passport model, which was only revised in June 2023, once again. The electrive editorial team has received a link to a survey in which a consultancy commissioned by Ionity is investigating various pricing models. For example, fictitious offers from Ionity, Tesla and EnBW are to be evaluated in terms of their attractiveness.

In addition to different kWh discounts depending on the monthly basic fee, new variants are also brought into play. For example, the reaction to starting fees of one or two euros per charging session will be asked if there are lower kWh prices in return. A sliding scale with lower prices from the 20th kilowatt-hour of a charging process or benefits such as stamp cards or Miles&More points are also included in the fictitious charging tariffs.

Update 28 November 2023

Last week, Ionity began introducing varying tariffs at its high-power chargers. Originally, the promotion was only supposed to run up to and including November 27. In the meantime, a new price overview has been published, which is now valid up to and including November 29, 2023.

Update 01 December 2023

Just a fortnight after Ionity began introducing varying tariffs, the campaign has now been extended until 7 December. While there were 18 locations on the list in Germany at the beginning, there are now 28 locations at which different prices apply compared to the Ionity Direct and Ionity Passport tariffs. However, the number of locations in the UK where different prices apply has also increased from two to eight charging parks.

Update 18 December 2023

Ionity has apparently ended its test with varying tariffs at certain stations. The special tariffs for selected locations launched at the end of November can no longer be found on the Ionity website. The different tariffs at the respective locations are also no longer listed in the app. The regular tariffs for ad-hoc charging of €0.69/kWh for the Direct tariff and €0.49/kWh (basic price of €11.99/month) for the Passport tariff therefore apply.

ionity.eu, ionity.eu (price list as PDF), ionity.eu (update), update II via email, ionity.eu (update III)