Knesset Study Reveals High Cost of Public EV Charging in Israel
Translated & summarized from Calcalist by baba
A Knesset study reveals that public electric vehicle charging in Israel can be up to four times more expensive than home charging, creating a barrier for many owners. Issues include occupied, slow, or non-functional public chargers and a shortage of available stations. While 88% of owners charge at home, public charging costs can range from 1.03 to 2.62 shekels per kWh, compared to a fraction of that for home use. Israel also offers minimal subsidies for charging infrastructure compared to European countries.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Public EV charging in Israel can cost up to four times more than home charging, according to a Knesset study.
- A significant shortage of fast public EV chargers is reported by 64.5% of users in Israel.
- Home charging is used by 88% of Israeli EV owners, while public fast chargers are used occasionally by 30%.
- Israel's subsidies for charging stations are significantly lower than those offered in countries like Austria and Ireland.
- The study highlights issues with occupied, slow, and non-functional public charging stations.
A new study by the Knesset's Research and Information Center highlights significant barriers for electric vehicle (EV) owners in Israel, primarily concerning public charging infrastructure. The research indicates that while home charging is significantly cheaper, using public charging stations can be up to four times more expensive, with issues like occupied or slow chargers and unfulfilled subsidy budgets exacerbating the problem.
EV sales in Israel surged to over 20% market share three years ago but have since declined. While multiple factors contribute to this trend, the study suggests that the high cost and inconvenience of public charging disproportionately affect those without dedicated home charging facilities. The report, authored by economist Noam Botosh, notes that as of April 2025, Israel had 25 charging providers, though some are no longer active. The three largest providers controlled 59% of charging outlets.
Between January and September of the current year, approximately 98,000 EVs and plug-in hybrids were sold in Israel. The study also references Central Bureau of Statistics data showing that while 88% of EV owners charge at home, about 30% occasionally use public fast chargers, and only 13.5% use public slow chargers. A significant majority, 64.5%, reported a shortage of fast public chargers, with 28.4% reporting a general shortage.
Regarding costs, the average price per kilowatt-hour for home charging last year was 0.64 agorot. Public charging prices are considerably higher and vary based on factors like charging time and location. For instance, last year, EV4U averaged 2.62 shekels per kWh, while Amisragreen was 2.34 shekels, and ADVICE was 2.17 shekels. Nuper Energy and EV Edge offered lower rates, around 1.03 and 1.21 shekels per kWh, respectively. The study also details tiered pricing based on time of day, with lower rates during off-peak hours. For example, ADVICE's low tariff averaged 1.88 shekels, while its high tariff was 2.48 shekels.
The research also contrasts Israel's incentives for charging station development with other countries. Israel allocated 94 million shekels for this purpose, but only half was approved, and just 69% of the approved amount was utilized by last year. Unlike Austria, which offers subsidies of up to 1,800 euros for home charging stations, or Ireland with 300 euros, Israel provides no subsidies for home charging infrastructure.
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