The Swedish furniture giant has just ended a decade of generosity. Since January 1, 2025, charging stations for electric vehicleshitherto free in the parking lots of Ikea stores, have become paid. A change which marks the end of an era and which risks making a few teeth cringe among the regulars.
No more time when you could fill up with electricity for free while you filled your frame with scented candles and furniture with unpronounceable names. This gratuitousness, established in 2013 during the installation of the first terminals, had made Ikea a pioneer of electric mobility in retail. But now, times are changing, and equipment is aging.
Faced with terminals that have become obsolete (some do not even work), Ikea had to resolve a complete overhaul of its infrastructure. The brand turned to Izivia, a subsidiary of the EDF group, to orchestrate this modernization. The contract provides for the installation of at least 20 electric terminals per storebut which is accompanied by a major change: the end of free.
In addition to becoming paid, The charging stations become a real headachethe price varying according to the mobility operator chosen. The holders of the Izivia Pass, for example, are largely advantaged since they escape interoperability costs.
More expensive on weekends
Most of the time, invoicing a recharge is done at the kilowatt consumed. But at IKEA, the Niçois will be entitled to a special treatment with invoicing at charging time. As if all this was not complicated enough, a progressive increase applies after three hours of load, and Prices double the weekend (as if by chance!). Finally, access to the terminals is limited to the opening hours of stores, there is no question of recharging your car during a night trip.
Meanwhile, our German neighbors rub their hands: their Ikea Family card offers them a reduction of 20% over the first 1,000 kilowatt hours. An initiative that has not yet crossed the Rhine, leaving French customers in the face of a note that may make them forget the savings made on their furniture purchases.
This decision by IKEA, which reflects the gradual end of free services, affects only part of the French population. However, at a time when consumers are pushing to turn more towards electric mobility, everything seems to put them off. For IKEA, this historical change makes task in its communication focused on low prices.
- IKEA electric charging stations have become paid since January 1, 2025, after more than 10 years of free
- A minimum of 20 terminals per store will be installed and managed by Izivia (EDF group), with variable prices according to the mobility operator
- The complex pricing system includes increases on weekends and after 3 hours of load, without loyalty program in France unlike Germany
