In recent years, Italy has been experiencing a significant transformation in private mobility. Electric vehicles are becoming an increasingly popular choice among Italian families, driven by the need to reduce fuel costs, the increase in public charging stations, and a growing focus on environmental sustainability.
However, the choice between home charging (electric car charging at home) and public infrastructure (public charging stations) remains one of the most important decisions for any new electric car owner.
This guide thoroughly analyzes the two main options, comparing costs, times, convenience, and economic return, to help you understand which solution is best suited to your lifestyle and mobility needs.
Electric Car Charging at Home: How a Domestic Wallbox Works
Electric car charging at home occurs via a wallbox installed on the wall in the garage or covered parking space, connected directly to the home's electrical system. There are different types of wallboxes, which vary in power, smart features, and compatibility with single-phase or three-phase systems. The most common wallboxes in Italy offer power outputs from 7 kW to 22 kW, sufficient to fully charge an average electric car overnight.
Operation is simple: you connect the Type 2 cable from the car to the wallbox, and the system automatically manages the charging, modulating the power to prevent overloads and optimize consumption. The wallbox communicates with the car and the home system, ensuring safety and continuity. With a 7 kW wallbox, a car with a 60 kWh battery fully charges in about 8-9 hours, typically overnight.
The main advantages of home charging are the convenience of charging whenever you want without depending on the availability of public charging stations, the significantly lower cost per kWh compared to fast public charging, and the possibility of integrating charging with a photovoltaic system to further reduce costs to almost zero.
Electric Car Charging Stations: Types, Operators, and Costs
Public electric car charging stations are charging infrastructures accessible to everyone, installed in parking lots, service stations, shopping centers, and urban areas. A charging station is mainly divided into two categories: AC charging stations (up to 22 kW), which offer slower charging but are compatible with most cars, and DC fast charging stations (from 50 kW to over 350 kW), which allow rapid charging in 20-40 minutes to reach 80% of the battery.
In the Italian market, electric vehicle charging stations are managed by various operators: Enel X Way, Ionity, A2A, Free To X, and Tesla Supercharger. Each charging station operator has its own network, its own app for location and payment, and its own tariffs. The cost per kWh at public charging stations varies significantly: it starts from about €0.40-0.50/kWh for slow AC charging stations, up to €0.80-1.20/kWh for DC fast charging stations on the highway.
The main advantage of public charging stations is the ability to charge quickly during long journeys, in the absence of a domestic wallbox or for those who do not have a garage. The disadvantages are the higher costs compared to electric car charging at home, the need to plan journeys, and the time spent queuing or waiting for a charging station to become free during peak hours.
Direct Comparison: Electric Car Home Charging vs. Public Charging Stations
|
Feature
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Electric Car Home Charging
|
Public Charging Stations
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|---|---|---|
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Typical power
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7–22 kW
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22 kW AC / 50–350 kW DC
|
|
Charging time (60 kWh)
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8–9 hours (7kW) / 3 hours (22kW)
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3 hours (AC) / 20-40 min (DC fast)
|
|
Cost per kWh
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0.20–0.35€ (grid) / ~0€ (PV)
|
0.40–1.20€
|
|
Cost for a full charge
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12–21€
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24–72€
|
|
Convenience
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High (charge overnight at home)
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Low (you have to travel and plan)
|
|
Availability
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24/7 unlimited
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Limited to available spots
|
|
Installation required
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Yes (wallbox)
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No
|
|
State incentives
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Yes (50% tax deductions)
|
No
|
|
Integration with PV
|
Yes, complete
|
No
|
|
Ideal for
|
Daily use
|
Long journeys
|
A public EV charging station is an open-access charging point where you can charge your car in minutes via an app or RFID card. However, for daily use, electric car charging at home with a wallbox remains the most economical solution. Considering that an average electric car consumes about 2,500-3,000 kWh per year for 15,000 km travelled, the annual cost can vary enormously: €500-1,000 with a domestic wallbox, compared to €1,000-3,600 with public charging stations.
Installing a Home Wallbox: What to Know Before You Start
Installing a home EV charger wallbox requires a few fundamental steps. First, you need to check the power of your home's meter: a 3 kW meter only supports light wallboxes with current limitation, while a 6 kW meter is the minimum recommended, and a 10 kW meter allows for more powerful wallboxes. If you have a three-phase system, you can install 11 kW or 22 kW three-phase wallboxes, halving charging times.
The cost of a wallbox typically ranges from €500 to €2,500 for the device, plus €300-800 for installation. However, in Italy, state incentives are available that allow for a deduction of up to 50% of the total cost through the Casa Bonus, significantly reducing the initial investment. Some regions also offer additional contributions for wallbox installation.
Among the wallboxes available on the market, GONEO solutions offer a wide range: the 22 kW Flexi EV Charger Wallbox model is ideal for three-phase installations with fast charging, EV Combi and EV Combi Pro offer advanced smart functionalities, and the Mini EV Charger is perfect for those seeking a portable and compact solution. For those looking for maximum integration with a storage system, the GONEO Combi 3.0 Pro directly integrates a 7 kW EV charger within the storage system, eliminating the need to install a separate wallbox.
2026 Electric Vehicle Bonus Guide: Wallbox Installation and Concessions
This electric vehicle bonus guide 2026 includes the following opportunities:
- Home Bonus: 50% IRPEF deduction on the total expense (wallbox + installation), recoverable over 10 years.
- Domestic Charging Station Bonus: specific contribution for the purchase and installation of domestic charging infrastructure, with varying amounts based on power.
- Regional Incentives: some Italian regions offer additional contributions of up to 30% of the cost, cumulative with state deductions.
Integration with Photovoltaic and Storage: Maximum Savings
The true potential of home charging is realized when it is integrated with a photovoltaic system and, ideally, with a storage system. In this configuration, the energy produced by solar panels during the day can be used directly to charge the car, reducing the cost per km to values close to zero. In the summer months, an average Italian family with a 6 kW system can produce enough energy to cover both domestic consumption and the full charge of an electric car.
Integration with a storage system adds an additional level of flexibility: solar energy produced during the day is stored in domestic batteries and can be used to charge the car even in the evening, after returning from work. More advanced systems like the GONEO Combi 3.0 Pro use intelligent algorithms to prioritize solar and stored energy during car charging, minimizing grid consumption and maximizing savings.
This configuration transforms the electric car from a cost to an economic advantage: the cost per km becomes up to 10 times lower than a petrol car, and the initial investment is repaid in increasingly shorter times thanks to incentives and accumulated savings.
Conclusion: Which Solution to Choose
The choice between home charging and public charging stations is not an either/or: the two solutions are complementary. Electric car charging at home with a wallbox is ideal for daily use, offering minimal costs, convenience, and integration with photovoltaics. Public charging stations remain essential for long journeys and for those who cannot install a wallbox at home.
For most Italian families, the optimal solution involves installing a domestic wallbox combined with a photovoltaic system and a storage system. This combination allows for nearly free car charging, taking advantage of the electric vehicle bonuses available in 2026. GONEO Italy solutions, from the Flexi EV Charger wallbox to the integrated Combi 3.0 Pro systems, offer a complete answer to every charging need.
Evaluate your driving habits, garage availability, and the possibility of accessing government incentives. With the right combination of technologies, electric mobility becomes a convenient, sustainable choice perfectly integrated into daily family life.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to charge an electric car at home?With a domestic wallbox powered by the grid, the cost for a full charge of a 60 kWh car is about €12-21. With a photovoltaic system, the cost can drop to almost zero during the summer months.
How much does it cost to charge at a public charging station?The cost per kWh varies from €0.40 to €0.80 for AC charging stations, up to €0.80-1.20 for DC fast charging stations. A full charge can cost from €24 to €72.
Can I install a wallbox if I have a 3 kW meter?Technically yes, but with limited power. It is advisable to upgrade to at least 6 kW, and ideally to 10 kW three-phase to use 11-22 kW wallboxes.
Are there incentives for wallbox installation?Yes, the Home Bonus provides a 50% IRPEF tax deduction on the total expense (wallbox + installation), recoverable over 10 years. Some regions offer additional contributions.
Is home charging slower than at a public station?Yes, a 7 kW wallbox charges in 8-9 hours, compared to 20-40 minutes for a DC fast charging station. However, by charging overnight, this limitation is not felt.
Can I use photovoltaic panels to charge my car?Yes, it is one of the most advantageous combinations. With a 6 kW PV system, it is possible to cover both domestic consumption and the charging of an average car during the summer.
Is a dedicated wallbox or an integrated charger in the storage system better?A dedicated wallbox is ideal for systems without storage. For those who have or plan to have a storage system, integrated solutions such as the GONEO Combi 3.0 Pro with an integrated 7 kW EV charger simplify installation and optimize energy flows.
