Home charging vs. public charging: cost comparison for the electric company car
What is the cost difference between charging at home and charging in public? Which reimbursement applies in which situation? An overview based on official CREG tariffs.
Home charging vs. public charging: what is the difference?
If you drive an electric company car, there are two main ways to charge the battery: at home via a charging point or wall socket, or on the road at a public charging point.
Both options meet a different need, but they are also treated very differently from a tax and contractual point of view — especially when it comes to reimbursement by the employer.
Home charging
- Charging via your own charging point or wall socket
- Reimbursement based on the official CREG tariff
- Tax-free up to the maximum amount per kWh
- Tariff varies by region and quarter
- Requires registration of charging sessions (date + kWh)
Public charging
- Charging at external charging points (motorway, car park, city)
- Price varies widely by operator and location
- CREG tariff does not apply
- Reimbursement via charging card or expense claim
- Employer usually reimburses the actual cost
Cost comparison
The table below compares home charging and public charging on the most important parameters. The CREG tariffs are official figures; public charging prices are described qualitatively because they vary widely by operator and have no official reference tariff.
| Parameter | Home charging | Public charging |
|---|---|---|
| Price per kWh |
CREG tariff — example Q1 2026 Flanders: 31.32 cent/kWh; Brussels: 34.26 cent/kWh; Wallonia: 35.23 cent/kWh. Current tariff |
AC charging: €0.40–€0.55/kWh · DC fast charging: €0.55–€0.75/kWh (average Belgian tariffs 2026, highly variable by operator — source: Electra). Often plus a start fee of €0.35–€0.50 per session. |
| Price certainty | Set per quarter by CREG; predictable | Varies by location, time and network |
| Employer reimbursement | Tax-free via the official CREG tariff (circular 2024/C/77) | Via employer charging card or expense claim; different tax treatment |
| Tax treatment for the employee | No additional benefit in kind up to the CREG maximum | Depends on the form of reimbursement; consult your accountant |
| Charging speed | Typically 3.7–22 kW (AC) via wallbox or wall socket | 3.7–350 kW (AC and DC fast chargers available) |
| Required administration | Date + kWh per session; exportable via the charging point app | Charging card statement or operator invoice |
| Best for | Daily use, overnight charging, saving costs | Long trips, unexpected charging needs on the road |
CREG quarterly tariffs up to Q1 2026 (historical overview)
These tariffs apply exclusively to home charging of a company car and are published every quarter by CREG.
| Quarter | Flanders (cent/kWh) | Brussels (cent/kWh) | Wallonia (cent/kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 2026 | 31.32 | 34.26 | 35.23 |
| Q4 2025 | 30.70 | 33.56 | 34.57 |
| Q3 2025 | 34.56 | 37.87 | 38.43 |
| Q2 2025 | 31.94 | 35.84 | 36.17 |
| Q1 2025 | 28.22 | 32.94 | 32.56 |
View the full CREG tariff overview for more quarters and an explanation of the calculation.
Reimbursement and tax rules
Key point: the CREG tariff applies to home charging only
The official CREG tariff applies exclusively to charging a company car at home. For public charging at external charging points, the CREG tariff does not apply. These two situations are treated separately from a tax and contractual point of view.
Home charging: tax-free reimbursement via CREG
When an employee charges their electric company car at home, the employer can reimburse that energy cost tax-free based on the CREG tariff. This is laid down in law via FPS Finance circular 2024/C/77 of 5 December 2024, which made the system permanent (no end date anymore).
- The reimbursement is tax-free for the employee up to the official maximum (the CREG tariff).
- For the employer, deductibility follows the deductibility rules of the car itself (which depend on the vehicle type and order date) — check with your accountant.
- No additional social security contributions are due on reimbursements within the CREG limits.
- Required: registration of charging sessions (date + kWh), a communicating charging point or smart meter, and a fleet or mobility policy that allows home charging.
Public charging: a different arrangement
There is no equivalent of the CREG tariff for public charging. The employer can still reimburse the costs, but this usually happens via:
- A charging card provided by the employer (the invoice goes directly to the employer).
- An expense claim with the actual charging cost based on the receipt or the operator's statement.
The tax treatment of this reimbursement depends on the specific arrangement. For specific tax questions, consult a certified accountant or tax adviser.
When to choose what?
Choose home charging when…
- Costs need to be predictable and low: the CREG tariff is set per quarter and covers the cost of home charging transparently.
- You want to qualify for the tax-free CREG reimbursement: only home charging entitles you to reimbursement via the official CREG tariff.
- You park at home at night or during the day and can plug the car into the charging point: calm, slow charging (3.7–22 kW) that is gentle on the battery.
- You want to keep the administration simple: your charging point app exports the date and kWh, which you can paste straight into the calculator.
Choose public charging when…
- You are making a long trip and the range is not enough to wait for your next home charge.
- You temporarily cannot charge at home (staying away from home, technical problem with the charging point).
- Fast charging is urgently needed: DC fast chargers (50–350 kW) are available at public points.
- Your employer offers a charging card that settles the costs directly without extra administration for the employee.
Want to widen the price gap with public charging even further in your favour? Read our guide 7 tips to save on charging costs for concrete ways to lower your home charging costs.
More general questions about CREG tariffs and reimbursements? Check out our extensive FAQ page.
Frequently asked questions
Figures checked on 13 July 2026. Public charging tariffs differ by operator and change frequently — check the tariff of your own charging card or operator. Official energy prices: CREG. Current CREG reimbursement tariffs: CREG tariff page.
Calculate your home charging reimbursement
Use the free calculator with official CREG tariffs and generate a PDF report for your employer.
Calculate my reimbursementHow to claim EV charging costs as a self-employed person in Belgium
What self-employed individuals in Belgium need to know about claiming charging costs.
As a self-employed professional in Belgium you are entitled to a refund for the electricity you use to charge your company car at home. Using the official quarterly CREG rates, this calculator works out the exact amount from your recorded charging sessions. You can export the result to PDF and forward it to your accountant.
Read more ➜Which CREG tariffs apply in my region?
Find out which CREG rate applies to your region: Brussels, Flanders, or Wallonia.
The CREG publishes maximum reimbursement rates per quarter for charging sessions. These rates vary depending on your region: Flanders, Brussels or Wallonia. Our calculator applies the correct rate automatically to ensure accurate results.
Read more ➜Example EV charging cost invoice (PDF)
Download an an PDF invoice based on your load data.
This tool lets you easily export an overview in PDF format, including date, kWh charged, rate and refund per charging session. Enter your name, address and vehicle details to generate a ready-to-use report for your accountant or tax filing.
Read more ➜