For those use to charging an electric vehicle in North America like me, charging in Europe can feel like stepping into a comedy of errors, especially when you’re navigating unfamiliar systems, languages, and processes.
My first attempt at EV charging in France was a wild mix of mishaps, confusion, and learning experiences. While things did improve, it wasn’t without a lot of head-scratching moments that I hope to help you avoid.
In this post, I’ll share my experience of charging an EV in France, lessons learned, and insights on navigating Europe EV charging for the first time. Whether you’re planning a European EV road trip or just curious about renting an EV in Europe, here’s what you need to know to make your experience smoother—and funnier—than mine.
Why Choose an EV for Your European Trip?
Electric vehicles are becoming a popular choice for travelers exploring Europe. With over 632,423 public charging points available across the EU, including 118,000 in France in France alone, Europe is one of the most EV-friendly regions in the world. Choosing an EV for your trip isn’t just environmentally friendly—it can also save you on fuel costs while offering a quieter driving experience.
However, charging an EV in Europe can be daunting for first-timers. Charging networks vary by country, apps often require pre-registration, and some chargers only work with specific RFID cards. These quirks caught me off guard, leading to one of the most awkward travel experiences I’ve had.
The Comedy of Errors: My First Charging Attempt in France
After a long but pleasant flight with Lufthansa, I landed in Toulouse, France, eager to begin my European EV road trip. I picked up my rental car, a Tesla Model 3 Standard Range, from Europcar. While the rental process was straightforward, there were a few surprises:
- Rental Restrictions: I discovered that Europcar doesn’t allow rentals to cross into all countries. I had to pay an additional €60 for permission to drive into Spain, where I planned to visit San Sebastián. This was an unexpected cost and a lesson to ask about cross-border fees in advance.
- The Vehicle Condition: The car had a fair share of scrapes and dents, and the tires had some of the worst curb rash I’d ever seen. While it didn’t affect the car’s performance, it wasn’t the most reassuring start.
- Range Anxiety Begins: Unlike my usual Tesla Model Y Long Range, I had rented a Standard Range model. This meant shorter range and more frequent stops for charging—something I hadn’t fully accounted for in my ambitious 3,600 km trip.
After battling Toulouse’s evening traffic, I arrived in Carcassonne with about 30% charge remaining. Though I didn’t initially plan to charge that night, my concerns about range prompted me to seek out a charger.
- Need a Ride? Search for Tesla Rentals with EuropCar
The First Charger: Confusion and Chaos
As I pulled into my first EV charger in France, I felt a mix of curiosity and determination—this was going to be my inaugural European EV charging experience. What I didn’t expect was that it would also turn into a lesson in patience, humility, and the quirks of EV charging etiquette.
It was late, and I was jet-lagged after a long travel day. My French, while serviceable in a casual café setting, suddenly seemed inadequate in the face of technical EV charging instructions. The charging station itself was in a small, tight parking lot that seemed designed more for compact French hatchbacks.
To complicate matters, the charger I parked at had two options: one side with an attached cable and another requiring users to bring their own. Of course, the attached cable was on the opposite side of the charger from where I had parked.
No problem, I thought. I’ll just move my car to the other side. But before I could do so, a fellow driver pulled up and parked there. What followed was the first in a series of awkward exchanges. In my rough French and with plenty of hand gestures, I explained my predicament to the other driver: I needed the attached cable on his side. To his credit, he was accommodating, offering to use the other side of the charger with his own cable. Crisis averted—or so I thought.
Feeling flustered but relieved, I opened the charging app, ready to start my session. Except, in my fatigue and confusion, I somehow activated his session instead of my own. With a sinking feeling, I realized I had just paid to charge his car. Not only that, but the app offered no way to stop the session. Panic set in. What could I do? Could I unplug his car? No, that wouldn’t be good EV charging etiquette, a cardinal rule among EV drivers.
Hoping to resolve the situation, I decided to wait for the other driver to return so we could sort it out. I lingered awkwardly by my car for a while, refreshing the app every few minutes to monitor his session. But as time ticked on, it became clear he wasn’t coming back anytime soon. Eventually, I gave up and moved on, leaving my app still connected to his charging session.
Back at my hotel, I continued to check the app periodically, hoping to see that the session had ended. Instead, I watched in disbelief as his charging time stretched into hours.
Four hours turned into eight, and eight turned into an astonishing 14 hours. For half a day, I was essentially sponsoring this man’s electricity needs. There was still no option in the app to stop the session remotely, and the absurdity of the situation grew with each passing hour.
It was a bad start to my French Riviera road trip however, looking back, I can laugh at the comedy of errors that unfolded that evening. The language barrier, the tight parking lot, and my complete unfamiliarity with European EV charging protocols collided in a way that made this first attempt unforgettable.
To make things more embarrassing, I would later find that the car, indeed, comes with the cables needed to connect meaning I could have used the charger on my side.
It was a humbling start to my European EV road trip and a vivid reminder that, no matter how prepared you think you are, you should always expect a learning curve—and a few surprises—when driving an EV abroad.
The Second Charger: No Service, No Luck
My next attempt took me to an underground parking garage with multiple EV chargers. This seemed promising, but there was one major problem: no cell service. Without cell reception, I couldn’t use the app to activate the charger, and I didn’t have the RFID card required to start the session.
Defeated and exhausted, I decided to call it a night and try again the next day.
A Slight Improvement in Carcassonne
After a restless night, I woke up before sunrise, determined to figure out charging an EV in France. Following a relaxing morning stroll in one of the most sterotypical European settings ever, I returned to my car and tried a new charging location near the castle.
This time, out of four available ports, only one worked—but it was enough to get me back on the road. While this small victory felt good, it highlighted a common issue with not only EV chargers in France, but back home in North America as well: some stations are unreliable, with faulty ports or outdated equipment. See my post on an EV road trip from Minnesota to Manitoba for an example.
Lessons Learned from Charging an EV in France
1. Familiarize Yourself with the Charging Networks
France has several major EV charging networks, including Ionity, TotalEnergies, and Freshmile. Each requires its own app or RFID card, and many don’t accept credit card payments directly at the station. Download the necessary apps and register your payment methods in advance to save time.
2. Plan Charging Stops Strategically
Unlike traditional gas stations, EV chargers aren’t always conveniently located. Use apps like PlugShare or Chargemap to plan your route and identify chargers along the way.
3. Bring an RFID Card
Some chargers in Europe, especially those in underground parking garages or remote locations, don’t have cell service. An RFID card can be a lifesaver in these situations. Apply for these well in advance of your trip.
Reflecting on My Experience
Despite the initial challenges, my experience with EV charging in France improved as I traveled. By the time I reached Spain, I felt more confident navigating the charging networks and even managed to plan charging stops efficiently during my 24 hours in Bilbao.
Looking back, my first attempt at charging an EV in France was both frustrating and hilarious. It reminded me of my first EV road trip to Saint Pierre, technically my first time driving an EV in France, where I had to rely on an exterior outlet due to the lack of chargers.
Should You Rent an EV for Your European Trip?
Absolutely! While my first charging experience was awkward, it was also a valuable learning opportunity. Once I got the hang of it, driving an EV through Europe was an incredible experience. The smooth ride, environmental benefits, and access to scenic routes—like my EV road trip through the Swiss Alps—made it worth the effort.
If you’re considering an EV rental, check out my post on my Europcar rental experience for tips on choosing the right vehicle.
Final Thoughts on Charging an EV in Europe
Charging an EV in Europe can be tricky at first, but with a little preparation, it’s entirely manageable. Learn from my mistakes: plan ahead, bring an RFID card, and approach each charging session with patience.
Whether you’re planning a cross-country road trip or a weekend getaway, renting an EV can enhance your travel experience and reduce your environmental footprint. Ready to hit the road? Check out my European EV road trip plan for inspiration and tips!
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