Driving to Prague in an EV? Here is what charging really costs — and where to find the cheapest electrons

Illustration photo for evmagazine.eu
Illustration photo for evmagazine.eu
Planning an electric road trip to Prague or the Czech countryside? The local charging market is a mosaic of legacy energy giants, discount supermarkets and Tesla's growing Supercharger footprint — and the price spread between them is surprisingly wide. We compared the five networks every cross-border EV driver should know, converted the rates to euros, and uncovered the one app trick that unlocks the cheapest DC fast charging in the country.

The landscape: Type 2 and CCS dominate

Czechia runs on Type 2 (Mennekes) for AC and CCS Combo 2 for DC fast charging, the same standards used across Germany, France, Benelux and the Nordics. If your car is equipped for Central European travel, the hardware will fit. Most public stations also accept roaming via apps such as Plugsurfing, Shell Recharge or Maingau, but local provider apps often shave a few crowns off the price — and sometimes require a Czech-language interface to show the domestic tariff.

ČEZ: The incumbent with a three-tier puzzle

As the country's largest utility, ČEZ operates the widest network. Its public pricing (valid from 1 January 2025) is split into three subscription levels:

TariffMonthly feeAC ≤ 49 kWDC 50–149 kWDC ≥ 150 kW
Basic0 Kč11 Kč (~€0.44)13 Kč (~€0.52)16 Kč (~€0.64)
Standard100 Kč (~€4)10 Kč (~€0.40)10 Kč (~€0.40)14 Kč (~€0.56)
Premium300 Kč (~€12)8 Kč (~€0.32)8 Kč (~€0.32)11 Kč (~€0.44)

All rates include 21 % VAT. The Premium tier pays for itself after roughly 150 kWh of fast charging if you are staying in Czechia for more than a weekend. Occasional visitors should stick to Basic or use a roaming partner that resells ČEZ electrons at a flat rate. After a generous free grace period, an occupancy fee of 2 Kč/min kicks in — watch the clock.

E.ON: Day-and-night split rewards late arrivals

E.ON Drive CZ keeps things simpler with two time-of-use bands. Registered users pay:

Power classDay (08:00–20:00)Night (20:00–08:00)
AC / DC ≤ 100 kW9.50 Kč (~€0.38)8.00 Kč (~€0.32)
DC 101–200 kW13.00 Kč (~€0.52)10.00 Kč (~€0.40)
DC 201–400 kW16.90 Kč (~€0.68)12.00 Kč (~€0.48)

The night discount is steep — up to 29 % on ultrafast chargers — making E.ON a smart choice for an evening top-up after a long drive from Munich or Berlin. Free parking minutes range from 30 to 480 depending on power class, after which you pay 2 Kč/min.

PRE: The Prague specialist with a new Platinum tier

Pražská energetika (PRE) runs the densest network in the capital and recently introduced PRE Charge Platinum, a €12/month subscription that undercuts almost everyone on DC and ultra-fast charging:

TariffMonthly feeACDCUFC ≥ 150 kW
Start (no contract)0 Kč9 Kč (~€0.36)12 Kč (~€0.48)14 Kč (~€0.56)
Silver (PRE energy customers)0 Kč8 Kč (~€0.32)11 Kč (~€0.44)13 Kč (~€0.52)
Gold150 Kč (~€6)7 Kč (~€0.28)10 Kč (~€0.40)12 Kč (~€0.48)
Platinum300 Kč (~€12)7 Kč (~€0.28)10 Kč (~€0.40)11 Kč (~€0.44)

For a week-long city break, the Start tariff is perfectly adequate. If you are a frequent business traveller to Prague, Platinum is worth a look — it also bundles roadside assistance, a nice safety net on winter trips.

Tesla Supercharger: The benchmark for speed and pricing discipline

Tesla's 10 Czech locations (including Prague-Vestec, Čestlice, Brno, Plzeň and Ostrava) are now open to all EV brands, but the price gap between Tesla owners and "Non-Tesla" drivers is significant.

For Tesla vehicles (updated February 2026):

  • Vestec, Čestlice, Brno, Plzeň: 5.80 Kč (~€0.23) off-peak (00:00–09:00, 22:00–24:00) / 9.40 Kč (~€0.38) peak
  • Olomouc: 6.20 Kč (~€0.25) off-peak / 9.40 Kč (~€0.38) peak
  • Ostrava: 8.10 Kč (~€0.32) off-peak / 9.60 Kč (~€0.38) peak
  • Kamenný Újezd: 9.70 Kč (~€0.39) flat
  • Lovosice, Humpolec, Jamné: 10.10 Kč (~€0.40) flat

For other brands (Non-Tesla Supercharging):

  • Vestec, Čestlice, Brno, Plzeň: 8.10 Kč (~€0.32) off-peak / 13.10 Kč (~€0.52) peak
  • Olomouc: 8.80 Kč (~€0.35) off-peak / 13.10 Kč (~€0.52) peak
  • Ostrava: 11.50 Kč (~€0.46) off-peak / 13.30 Kč (~€0.53) peak
  • Kamenný Újezd: 13.60 Kč (~€0.54) flat
  • Lovosice, Humpolec, Jamné: 14.14 Kč (~€0.57) flat

Tesla charges an idle fee of 10–20 Kč/min if you block the stall after charging is complete, but you get a five-minute grace period. The app shows live prices before you plug in — a transparency standard other networks are still catching up on.

Lidl: The supermarket stealth bargain

Here is the hidden gem. Lidl has been rolling out DC fast chargers at its Czech stores and, at the time of writing, charges:

  • AC: 7.00 Kč/kWh (~€0.28)
  • DC: 10.00 Kč/kWh (~€0.40)

That DC rate matches or beats most dedicated networks, and the electricity is certified 100 % green. You can start a session via the Lidl Plus app or simply scan the QR code on the stall and pay through e-mobility.lidl.cz without installing anything.

Critical tip for international visitors: If you do install the Lidl Plus app, switch the language setting to Czech in the app menu. Only then does the Czech e-mobility section appear; in the default German or English storefront, the charging feature is often hidden or redirected to the retail catalogue. Once the language is set to Czech, the map of Lidl charging points across the republic loads normally and you can filter by real-time availability, power level and connector type.

What does a full charge actually cost?

Imagine you arrive in Prague with a 60 kWh battery at 20 % state of charge and want to refill to 80 % — a typical tourist top-up of 36 kWh.

Network / tariffApprox. cost
Lidl DC~€14.40
Tesla Supercharger (Tesla owner, off-peak)~€8.30
Tesla Supercharger (non-Tesla, peak)~€18.70
PRE Platinum (UFC)~€15.80
PRE Start (DC)~€17.30
ČEZ Basic (DC 50–149 kW)~€18.70
E.ON DC 101–200 kW (day)~€18.70

The spread is wide: the same electrons can cost anywhere from €8 to €19 depending on where and when you plug in. For a two-week Central European tour, that difference adds up quickly.

Practical advice for travellers

Plan ahead with Czech apps. While Plugshare and A Better Routeplanner work well, the local Mapy.cz navigation app now integrates real-time charger availability and is often more accurate for rural Czech locations than Google Maps.

Carry a Type 2 cable. Some older AC stations (especially in small towns) are socket-only, not tethered. A 22 kW three-phase cable takes up little boot space and removes that risk.

Watch for parking fees. Several Prague shopping-mall chargers bill parking separately from energy. The charging price may look cheap, but a 50 Kč/hour parking fee can erase the savings.

Payment. Czech networks have largely abandoned RFID cards in favour of smartphone apps and QR-code web payments. Keep a credit card ready for the occasional legacy stall, but do not expect to tap and charge everywhere.

Do I need a Czech bank account or phone number to register for charging apps?

No. ČEZ, PRE, E.ON and Lidl all accept standard EU credit cards and e-mail registration. Only the Tesla app requires a Tesla account, which can be created with any international e-mail address.

Is overnight charging at E.ON or PRE really cheaper?

Yes. E.ON cuts night rates by up to 29 % after 20:00, and PRE's Night tariff waives parking fees entirely between 22:00 and 06:00 for AC charging. If your hotel has no charger, arriving at a PRE Point late evening can be the most economical option.

Can I charge at Lidl outside store opening hours?

Often yes, but not always. Lidl states that charging is possible outside opening hours, yet some store car parks are gated or charge parking fees overnight. Check the Lidl Plus map — with the app set to Czech — for real-time status before you detour.

Source: https://www.evmagazine.eu