The same public charging point can have a different price depending on the app, charging card or tariff you use.
The reason is simple: charging point operators can offer discounted prices through their own apps - often only within their own network and in combination with a monthly subscription. As an independent mobility provider, StromNow gives you access to charging points operated by many different companies. The applicable price therefore depends on the roaming and purchasing conditions of the specific charging point.
In short
An operator subscription can be cheaper within the operator’s own network.
Higher roaming prices often apply at charging points operated by other companies.
Monthly subscription fees must always be included when comparing prices.
StromNow shows you the specific price before charging instead of hiding price differences behind an average rate.
Why the same charging point can have different prices
Public charging often involves two different companies:
The charge point operator, also known as the CPO, owns or operates the charging station and determines its access and purchasing conditions.
The mobility service provider, also known as the EMP or eMSP, gives you access to charging points from different operators through an app or charging card and bills you for the charging session.
If a company performs both roles, it can offer special customer or subscription prices within its own charging network. If you use another provider’s app at the same station, you are charging through roaming and different conditions apply.
Example: €0.41 with EnBW and €0.89 with StromNow
Under EnBW’s M tariff, charging at EnBW-operated stations currently costs €0.41 per kWh as part of a temporary summer promotion. A monthly subscription fee of €5.99 also applies.
The €0.41 price only applies:
to the EnBW M tariff,
at EnBW-operated charging stations,
and during the temporary summer promotion.
At charging points operated by other companies, EnBW charges between €0.56 and €0.89 per kWh, depending on the specific location. The discounted operator-network price does not apply at those stations.
The EnBW promotional prices will expire
The summer promotion ends on September 30, 2026. From October 1, 2026, the regular prices will once again apply at EnBW-operated stations:
Tariff S: €0.56/kWh instead of €0.51/kWh
Tariff M: €0.46/kWh instead of €0.41/kWh
Tariff L: €0.39/kWh instead of €0.34/kWh
The applicable monthly subscription fees will remain in place.
You can find the latest conditions in the EnBW tariff overview.
What €0.41 actually costs after including the monthly fee
An advertised price of €0.41 per kWh is not automatically your actual average price. The monthly subscription fee must be divided by the amount of energy you charge.
If you charge 20 kWh per month
€5.99 subscription fee + €8.20 charging costs = €14.19 total.
Effective price: approximately €0.71/kWh.
If you charge 60 kWh per month
€5.99 subscription fee + €24.60 charging costs = €30.59 total.
Effective price: approximately €0.51/kWh.
If you charge 100 kWh per month
€5.99 subscription fee + €41.00 charging costs = €46.99 total.
Effective price: approximately €0.47/kWh.
The more you charge within the discounted operator network, the smaller the monthly subscription fee becomes per kilowatt-hour. If you only charge occasionally or frequently use other operators’ stations, the calculation can look very different.
Why StromNow does not show one uniform price per operator
The conditions can vary not only between different operators, but also between two charging stations operated by the same company.
StromNow reflects these station-specific conditions. An averaged pricing model would hide these differences: inexpensive charging points would subsidize unusually expensive ones, making it harder for you to identify which stations to avoid.
What transparency means to us:
Fair does not mean that every charging point has the same price. Fair means seeing the specific price before charging so that you can make your own decision.
Which pricing model is right for you?
An operator subscription may be the better option if …
you almost always charge at stations belonging to the same operator,
that operator’s network covers your regular routes,
and you charge enough for the monthly subscription fee to pay off.
Using several operator apps may be the better option if …
paying the lowest possible price for every charging session is your only priority,
you are willing to check and change tariffs regularly,
and using several apps, accounts, invoices and charging cards is not a problem for you.
StromNow may be the better option if …
you charge with different operators or while travelling,
you want to compare prices and available stations in one app,
you want to combine route planning, vehicle data and charging,
and you value time, availability and convenience as well as the kWh price.
Can I charge with StromNow without a subscription?
Yes. You do not need a StromNow subscription to charge. You can start a charging session without StromNow Pro through the app or with the StromNow Card.
The free tariff currently includes a €1 session fee for each charging session.
StromNow Pro costs €4.99 per month or €59.99 per year. Pro includes the advanced features and removes the charging session fee.
What should I check before charging?
Before choosing a tariff, check:
How many kilowatt-hours you charge publicly each month.
Which charging point operators you actually use.
Whether monthly, session, blocking or parking fees apply.
Whether the discounted price is permanent or part of a temporary promotion.
Whether the lowest individual price or an all-in-one solution matters more to you.
StromNow shows you the applicable price before you start the charging session. This allows you to avoid an expensive station and choose a more suitable alternative when available.
Frequently asked questions
Is StromNow the cheapest option at every charging station?
Is StromNow the cheapest option at every charging station?
No. No provider is automatically the cheapest at every station and for every charging profile. Operators can offer special subscription and promotional prices within their own networks. StromNow shows you the specific price before charging and helps you compare alternatives.
Why does the same charging station have different prices in two apps?
Why does the same charging station have different prices in two apps?
The operator’s app and the roaming app use different contracts and purchasing conditions. Subscriptions, promotions, session fees and blocking fees may also apply.
Is a subscription with a low kWh price always cheaper?
Is a subscription with a low kWh price always cheaper?
No. The monthly subscription fee must be divided by the amount of energy you actually charge. The discounted price also often applies only within the provider’s own network.
Why does StromNow not show one uniform price for each operator?
Why does StromNow not show one uniform price for each operator?
Because an operator’s conditions can vary significantly between individual charging stations. An average price would hide expensive charging points and artificially increase the price of cheaper ones.
Where can I see the applicable charging price?
Where can I see the applicable charging price?
Before every charging session, check the kWh price and any additional fees in the app you use to start the session. That specific price is the one that applies.