Hamburg’s energy utility has massively increased its charging prices. Customers are now paying up to 38 percent more. At AC charging stations, a kilowatt hour costs 59 cents, and at DC charging stations, 69 cents. Previously, the price was 49.9 cents. This affects both private users and businesses. At the same time, the municipal company is introducing a new app designed to make charging electric cars easier. (electrive: 22.08.25)
Registration at Hamburger Energiewerke only digitally
Previously, customers required a form or a personal application at the customer center. Charging their electric car was only possible after receiving the charging card by mail. Today, registration takes place online or via the “HEnW Drive” app. Users enter their data, select a tariff, and confirm via email. However, charging only begins after approval from Hamburger Energiewerke. The charging card also still arrives by mail.
At the same time, the tariff structure has changed. There is no longer a standard price. Customers now have to choose between “Basic,” “Plus,” and “Combi Smart.” The latter only applies to households with an existing electricity contract. This puts the company’s electricity tariffs more into focus.
Charging infrastructure Hamburg with roaming partners
The new rates are not only valid at municipal charging stations. Partners such as the municipal utilities of Norderstedt, Wedel, Elmshorn, Lüneburg, Rostock, and WestfalenWeser Netz also accept the charging cards. This creates a broader charging infrastructure in Hamburg. A complete overview of the locations is publicly available.
The Horizont Mobil rate is ending for existing customers. An official letter announces the end of the service at the end of September. Starting in October 2025, the existing card will no longer be valid unless a new contract is signed.
New electricity tariffs for companies
Business customers are also affected. Previously, they paid the same price as private customers. Now, there are “Fleet” and “Fleet Discount Level starting at 10,000 kWh/year.” tariffs. While private customers pay no base fee for the basic tariff, companies pay a tiered fee based on the number of accounts. Up to 19 cards can be ordered online. For larger fleets, an email request is required.
To justify this, Hamburger Energiewerke emphasizes the need for flexible structures. In an FAQ, they state: “Our HORIZONT Mobil charging tariff is one of the pioneering offerings for e-mobility in Hamburg. The simple structure was just right for the start-up phase. However, it has since proven too inflexible for the new conditions and diverse requirements of modern e-mobility.” The new electricity tariffs are intended to cover different charging habits and offer added value.
Political criticism of rising charging prices
The company cites cost-effectiveness and additional services. Critics call it a “brazen price increase” and warn that it will slow down the transition to electric vehicles. In a question to the Senate, Stephan Jersch demands that mobility must remain affordable.
There is also an ad-hoc charging option. Here, a kilowatt-hour costs 50 cents, plus an activation fee of €1.99. Prices vary for partners. Westfalen Weser, for example, charges additional blocking fees at its Im Ekenknick location. This entails additional costs for customers who want to charge their electric vehicles flexibly.
Competition strengthens charging infrastructure in Hamburg
Other providers are expanding their networks. Qwello, Enercity, Vattenfall, eze.network, and Ubitricity each plan to install 500 charging points in Hamburg by 2027. Ubitricity already operates 75 charging points. However, these cannot be used with the Hamburger Energiewerke app or card. Whether a connection will be made remains to be seen. This is increasing competition for the Hamburger Energiewerke (Hamburger Energiewerke) has massively increased its charging prices. Customers are now paying up to 38 percent more. At AC charging points, a kilowatt hour costs 59 cents, and at DC charging stations, 69 cents. Previously, the prices were 49.9 cents. This affects private users and businesses alike. At the same time, the municipal company is introducing a new app designed to make charging electric cars easier.
Registration at Hamburger Energiewerke only digitally
Previously, customers required a form or a personal application at the customer center. Charging their electric vehicle was only possible after receiving the charging card by mail. Today, registration takes place online or via the “HEnW Drive” app. Users enter their data, select a tariff, and confirm by email. However, charging only begins after approval from Hamburger Energiewerke. The charging card also continues to arrive by mail.
At the same time, the tariff structure has changed. There is no longer a standard price. Customers now have to choose between “Basic,” “Plus,” and “Combi Smart.” The latter only applies to households with an existing electricity contract. This brings the company’s electricity tariffs into greater focus.
Charging infrastructure Hamburg with roaming partners
The new rates are not only valid at municipal charging stations. Partners such as the municipal utilities of Norderstedt, Wedel, Elmshorn, Lüneburg, Rostock, and WestfalenWeser Netz also accept the charging cards. This creates a broader charging infrastructure in Hamburg. A complete overview of the locations is publicly available.
The Horizont Mobil rate is ending for existing customers. An official letter announces the end of the service at the end of September. Starting in October 2025, the existing card will no longer be valid unless a new contract is signed.
New electricity tariffs for companies
Business customers are also affected. Previously, they paid the same price as private customers. Now, there are “Fleet” and “Fleet Discount Level starting at 10,000 kWh/year.” tariffs. While private customers pay no base fee for the basic tariff, companies pay a tiered fee based on the number of accounts. Up to 19 cards can be ordered online. For larger fleets, an email request is required.
To justify this, Hamburger Energiewerke emphasizes the need for flexible structures. In an FAQ, they state: “Our HORIZONT Mobil charging tariff is one of the pioneering offerings for e-mobility in Hamburg. The simple structure was just right for the start-up phase. However, it has since proven too inflexible for the new conditions and diverse requirements of modern e-mobility.” The new electricity tariffs are intended to cover different charging habits and offer added value.
Political criticism of rising charging prices
The company cites cost-effectiveness and additional services. Critics call it a “brazen price increase” and warn that it will slow down the transition to electric vehicles. In a question to the Senate, Stephan Jersch demands that mobility must remain affordable.
There is also an ad-hoc charging option. Here, a kilowatt-hour costs 50 cents, plus an activation fee of €1.99. Prices vary for partners. Westfalen Weser, for example, charges additional blocking fees at its Im Ekenknick location. This entails additional costs for customers who want to charge their electric vehicles flexibly.
Competition strengthens charging infrastructure in Hamburg
Other providers are expanding their networks. Qwello, Enercity, Vattenfall, eze.network, and Ubitricity each plan to install 500 charging points in Hamburg by 2027. Ubitricity already operates 75 charging points. However, these are not accessible via the Hamburger Energiewerke app or map. Whether a connection will be made remains to be seen. This is noticeably increasing competition for Hamburg’s charging infrastructure.