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European energy trends: electricity theft penalties and EV charging costs
In Greece, the Regulatory Authority for Waste, Energy and Water (RAAEEY) has confirmed that administrative costs for electricity theft and the prices used to calculate unrecorded energy will remain unchanged for the second half of 2026. Penalties for electricity theft include the cost of unrecorded energy plus administrative fees to HEDNO (DEDDIE), which can reach up to 662.21 euros depending on the voltage level and whether a meter replacement is required. Unrecorded energy can be billed for up to five years.
Across Europe, the energy crisis is accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), photovoltaics, and battery storage. As fuel prices rise, consumers are increasingly viewing EVs as energy assets. However, the surge in solar power is leading to negative electricity prices in some regions, such as Germany, which recorded 573 hours of negative prices in 2025. This trend is driving a need for increased battery storage capacity, which is expected to exceed 50 GWh in 2026.
Despite the growth of the EV market, drivers face challenges with unexpected costs. An analysis by the Dutch motoring association ANWB revealed that an EV driver in Paris was charged over 400 euros for a single charging session. These extreme costs were largely attributed to idling or occupancy fees charged when a vehicle remains connected to a charger after the battery is full. While charging costs are becoming more transparent in many European countries, such fees remain common in France.
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What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] RAAEEY decided that administrative costs for electricity theft will remain unchanged for the second half of 2026.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Battery storage installations are expected to exceed 50 GWh in 2026. www.insider.gr
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The high charge in Paris was primarily due to occupancy fees after charging was complete. www.4troxoi.gr
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Administrative costs for electricity theft can reach up to 662.21 euros.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] An EV driver in Paris was charged over 400 euros for a single charging session. www.4troxoi.gr
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Germany recorded 573 hours of negative electricity prices in 2025. www.insider.gr