30 hryvnias per kilowatt — the end of the era of electric cars? We explain why this is not so

In Ukraine, the cost of public charging of electric vehicles has increased sharply — in fact, it has doubled. In some networks, the tariff has reached more than 30 UAH per 1 kWh. In practice, this means that the cost of charging an electric vehicle on a fast charger is actually equal to the cost of gasoline cars. This situation will definitely affect the electric vehicle market in Ukraine, but does this mean the end of the "electric era"? Stanislav Buchatsky and Ostap Novytsky, founders of the Institute for Research on the Auto Market, spoke about this in a recent podcast.

What exactly has changed?

At public charging stations of one of the largest networks in Ukraine, tariffs at the level of 30 UAH per kWh appeared, and in some places — 32 UAH. Previously, the typical price level for public charging was in the range of 16–18 UAH per kWh, rarely reaching 20 UAH. Thus, the growth is truly sharp and tangible for the end consumer.

Thus, with an average electric vehicle consumption of about 20 kWh per 100 km, charging at a rate of 30 UAH/kWh means costs of 600 UAH per 100 km. This level of costs corresponds to approximately 10 liters of gasoline. Under such conditions, the savings that were previously a key argument in favor of electric vehicles virtually disappear at public charging stations.

Reasons for price increases

The increase in tariffs is due to changes in the terms of purchasing electricity for businesses. Public charging stations are non-household consumers for which the state

sets maximum prices on the electricity market. After the increase in these maximum prices on January 16, 2026, the cost of electricity for charging network operators increased.

The final price of charging is formed from several components: the base cost of electricity, transportation, tax burden, bank acquiring when replenishing the account, equipment depreciation, connection costs, land lease and operating costs. Given the totality of these factors, a tariff of 30–32 UAH per kWh becomes economically justified for business.

Home charging: a limited alternative

Unlike public charging stations, electricity tariffs for residential consumers have not increased. This makes home charging a temporary solution for some electric vehicle owners. However, this option has significant limitations.

Charging at home depends on electricity supply schedules and voltage levels. In conditions where electricity is supplied only a few hours a day or with reduced voltage, a car can only be charged for 30–40 km of range. To obtain a range of 80–100 km, about 10 hours of stable electricity supply are required. In addition, there is a technical limitation on the power per apartment — about 5 kW, of which only 1.5–2 kW can actually be directed to charging the car.

The new tariffs will have the greatest impact on taxis and couriers. These categories of users mainly charge at fast public stations, as home charging does not provide the necessary daily mileage. With the new electricity price, the economics of such operation become much tougher.

Potential impact on the electric vehicle market

The increase in the cost of public charging is compounded by several other factors. From January 1, VAT on electric vehicles returned, making them more expensive at the import stage. At the end of the year, the market received a significant supply volume, which exceeded the usual level of sales. Blackouts, electricity supply schedules and winter conditions have an additional negative impact.

Together, these factors could slow down the pace of electric vehicle sales. At the same time, owners are reluctant to sell their cars unless they can buy a similar model for the same price, which is holding back prices on the secondary market.

At the same time, a decrease in demand for public charging while maintaining high fixed costs could put pressure on charging network operators. Under such conditions, there is a risk of reducing the number of stations, which is especially critical for intercity routes. If the network is reduced, electric vehicles could again become tied mainly to the borders of one city.

In general, the increase in public charging tariffs to UAH 30–32 per kWh is a systemic event for the electric vehicle market. It changes the economics of operation, increases dependence on home charging, and creates additional risks for both users and the charging infrastructure. Further developments will depend on the state of the power system and regulatory decisions.

Practical advice for electric car owners: what to do in the new conditions?

There is no reason to panic and urgently sell an electric car. The current situation with public charging tariffs is unpleasant, but it does not in itself mean the "end of the electric car." The market has already experienced sharp price and infrastructure shocks — both with fuel and electricity.

Selling an electric car is now difficult and often unprofitable. The market is oversaturated with supply, and demand is slowed down by several factors at once. In such conditions, a quick sale at a “normal” price is unlikely. In most cases, the owner is faced with a choice: either significantly reduce the price or keep the car. For many, the second option seems more rational.

Home charging remains a key advantage. If you have access to a stable charging station at home or at work, the economics of owning an electric vehicle are significantly better than those who rely entirely on public fast charging stations. Even with power limitations and electricity schedules, this is often cheaper than constant charging at 30–32 UAH/kWh.

Public charging should be considered a backup, not a baseline scenario. With the new tariffs, the logic of “only charging at fast EV charging stations” no longer works for most private users. It is more expedient to plan routes and operating modes in a way that minimizes dependence on them.

Have a "plan B." Itʼs worth considering backup scenarios — access to charging during the day, arrangements at work, a garage, renting a place with power, or, in extreme cases, a generator as an emergency option. Ukrainians already use many of these.

For commercial use, a cold calculation is needed. Taxis, couriers and other professional users should calculate the economy separately: with the new electricity price, an electric vehicle may lose its advantage in daily work. Here, solutions are no longer universal and depend on the specific operating mode.

The strategy of “waiting it out” seems logical. The current situation is largely due to energy constraints. It is unpleasant, but not unique or unprecedented. Abrupt decisions at the peak of emotions usually turn out to be more expensive than adapting to difficult conditions.

Key recommendation: do not make impulsive decisions. If an electric car already exists and covers daily needs, it is more rational to adapt to new conditions than to hastily exit the market at a time when it is most difficult to do so.

Subscribe to the Telegram channel of the Auto Market Research Institute to receive information first, without advertising and spam.