Stellantis, the multinational automotive group, has launched its new subsidiary, Free2Move Charge, which offers access to over 800,000 charging stations across 29 European countries. The service, known as ‘Free2Move Charge Go,’ is part of Stellantis’s broader strategy to enhance electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure and energy management.
This new initiative follows the announcement of the Free2Move Charge ecosystem last year, which encompasses home, business, and public charging solutions. With the introduction of Free2Move Charge Go, Stellantis has rolled out the second of its three strategic pillars, alongside ‘Free2Move Charge Home’ and the upcoming ‘Free2Move Charge Business.’
Free2Move Charge Go provides customers with two pricing options. The first is a ‘pay-as-you-go starter tariff,’ which has no monthly fee but includes a charge of 90 cents per charging session plus the associated electricity costs. The second option, the ‘Pay-as-you-move-Advanced’ tariff, eliminates the charge per session but comes with a monthly fee of €4.99. This Advanced plan may be more cost-effective for users who require six or more charging sessions per month.
However, the pricing structure of Free2Move Charge Go has been noted as complex. Unlike some competitors that offer straightforward pricing, Free2Move Charge Go includes various tariffs that can lead to confusion. For instance, pricing for DC chargers differs among providers: €0.82 per kWh at EnBW, €1.02 at Aral Pulse, and €1.16 at Mer. Access to Ionity charging stations is currently unavailable, and AC charger prices in cities like Leipzig can range from €0.66 to €1.06 per kWh.
In comparison, some competing services, such as EWE Go, are set to introduce a more uniform tariff of €0.62 per kWh across all roaming partner charging points starting November 1, with a lower rate of €0.52 at their own stations. This highlights the varying approaches to pricing in the EV charging market.
Mathilde Lheureux, CEO of Free2Move Charge, commented on the launch, stating, “With the launch of Free2Move Charge Go, we are empowering EV drivers to travel freely across Europe, with a peace of mind experience. By giving our customers access to an extensive charging network, combined with intuitive tools that simplify their experience, we are removing key hurdles to adopting electric mobility.”
The service is accessible through a free app available for iOS and Android, which allows users to find charging stations, check their status in real-time, monitor power capacities, and manage the charging process. An RFID charging card is also available, providing an alternative method for users who may encounter connectivity issues.
