For smart charging you need a dynamic energy contract. But which one? There are now dozens of suppliers with dynamic contracts. We compare the most important ones.
What is a dynamic energy contract?
With a dynamic contract, your electricity price changes every hour. When there’s lots of sun and wind, electricity is cheap. During peak times it’s expensive.
Good to know:
– Only the delivery price varies
– Energy tax and grid costs stay the same
– You can always switch without penalty
Who offers what?
The most important suppliers with dynamic contracts:
ANWB Energie
– Day-ahead prices (next day known)
– €5/month service costs
– No minimum term
– Also gas (dynamic per day)
EasyEnergy
– Day-ahead prices
– No service costs
– No minimum term
– Very transparent app
Tibber
– Day-ahead prices
– €3.99/month
– Nice app with smart features
– Integration with smart home
Zonneplan
– Day-ahead prices
– No service costs
– Also dynamic return tariff
– Good if you have solar panels
Energize
– Day-ahead prices
– €3.95/month
– Focus on smart charging
– Good customer service
What do they cost?
Dynamic contracts consist of:
– Variable delivery price (changes per hour)
– Fixed service fee (per month)
– Energy tax (fixed)
– Grid costs (fixed)
The delivery price is the same for all suppliers: they all buy on the EPEX day-ahead market. The difference is in the service costs.
Calculation for 3,000 kWh charging per year:
EasyEnergy (€0 service costs)
– Energy: 3,000 × €0.15 = €450
– Service costs: €0
– Total: €450/year
Tibber (€3.99/month)
– Energy: 3,000 × €0.15 = €450
– Service costs: 12 × €3.99 = €48
– Total: €498/year
So: EasyEnergy and Zonneplan (no service costs) are cheapest for pure electricity price.
Which one is best for smart charging?
It depends on your situation:
Only electric car, no solar panels?
→ EasyEnergy or Energize
– No frills, lowest price
– Works great with Stekker app
Electric car + solar panels?
→ Zonneplan
– Also dynamic return tariff
– Optimal for self-consumption
Also smart home devices?
→ Tibber
– Good integrations with smart home
– Nice app
– Worth the €4/month
Want certainty + service?
→ ANWB Energie
– Good customer service
– Clear communication
– ANWB reliability
What about fixed contracts?
For smart charging, a dynamic contract is almost always better than fixed. Even if you’re risk-averse.
Why?
– You automatically charge at cheap times
– Average price is lower than fixed
– You benefit from wind and solar
– No penalty for switching
Exception: if you can’t charge flexibly (no smart charging), a fixed contract can offer more security.
How do you switch?
Switching is simple:
1. Choose supplier
2. Register online
3. They arrange switch (takes 2-4 weeks)
4. You pay nothing to old supplier
You can switch anytime, without penalty.
Tips for choosing
1. Calculate your consumption
How much do you charge per year? That determines your savings.
2. Check service costs
€4/month sounds like little, but that’s €48/year. Worth it for good app/service.
3. Test the app
You check that app daily. Does it work well? Is it clear?
4. Read reviews
How’s customer service? Do people get their refunds on time?
5. Check solar integration
Have solar panels? Then also check the return tariff.
What does Stekker recommend?
Stekker works with all dynamic suppliers. Our recommendations:
Best all-round: EasyEnergy
– No service costs
– Clear app
– Good service
– Works perfectly with Stekker
Best with solar panels: Zonneplan
– Dynamic return
– Self-consumption focus
– Good for combination
Best smart home: Tibber
– Lots of integrations
– Nice app
– Active community
Frequently asked questions
Can I also go back to fixed?
Yes, you can always switch. No penalties.
What if prices stay high?
Then you can switch back. But with smart charging you automatically charge at the cheapest times, so risk is limited.
Do I need to switch meter?
No, your current smart meter is sufficient.
What about night rate?
Night rate is outdated. Dynamic is better: more price moments, better aligned with solar/wind.
Conclusion
For smart charging, a dynamic contract is a must. Which supplier exactly matters less – they all buy at the same prices.
Choose based on:
– Service costs (lower is better)
– App quality
– Solar panel integration
– Customer service
And most importantly: combine with smart charging via Stekker. Then you automatically get the lowest prices, regardless of supplier.
Want to get started? Download Stekker and connect your dynamic contract. We’ll take care of the rest.
