Spot electricity prices are one of the most important concepts in modern energy — and the key to affordable EV charging. In this article, we explain what spot prices are, how the OTE energy exchange works, and why dynamic pricing is better than fixed tariffs.
What Are Spot Electricity Prices?
A spot price is the current market price of electricity on the energy exchange. Unlike fixed tariffs, it changes every hour based on supply and demand. When there's plenty of electricity (sun shining, wind blowing) and demand is low (nighttime), the price drops. During peak hours (morning, winter evenings), it rises.
How Do They Differ From Fixed Tariffs?
| Parameter | Fixed Tariff | Spot Price | |---|---|---| | Price | Same 24/7/365 | Changes every hour | | Transparency | Supplier margin hidden | Exchange price + clear surcharge | | Risk | On supplier | Shared (but historically more favorable) | | Savings | No optimization | Up to 30–70% with proper timing | | Best for | Those wanting certainty | Those wanting to save, flexible |
How Does the OTE Energy Exchange Work?
OTE (Electricity Market Operator) runs the organized short-term electricity market in the Czech Republic. Prices are determined through daily auctions.
Price Setting Process
- Day-Ahead Market: Producers and traders submit bids and offers for each hour of the next day
- Auction: OTE matches bids and offers — the result is the clearing price
- Publication: Prices for all 24 hours are published around 1:00 PM the previous day
- Delivery: Electricity is delivered and billed at the established prices
Spot prices are traded in EUR/MWh and converted to CZK/kWh at the current exchange rate. Find current and historical prices on our spot electricity prices page.
What Influences Spot Prices?
Factors That Lower Prices (Cheaper Charging)
- Solar energy: Midday prices in summer often drop to zero or negative
- Wind energy: Strong wind = more electricity in the grid
- Low demand: Nights, weekends, holidays
- Production surplus: Especially in transitional seasons (spring, autumn)
Factors That Raise Prices (More Expensive Charging)
- Peak consumption: Morning (7–9 AM), evening (5–8 PM)
- Winter: Short days, less sun, heating demand
- Power plant outages: Planned and unplanned shutdowns
- Gas prices: Gas power plants often set peak prices
Why Does ZAspot Use Spot Prices?
Most charging networks (ČEZ, E.ON, Shell Recharge) charge fixed prices per kWh. This means you pay the same whether electricity on the exchange costs 1 CZK or 5 CZK. The operator must build in margins for the worst-case scenario.
ZAspot offers a transparent model:
- Current spot price from OTE (visible in the app and at the station)
- Plus a platform fee (fixed, transparent)
- Transparent fees — idle fee only after generous grace periods (AC 3.5h / DC 1.5h), AC night free
How Much Do You Actually Save?
In 2026, average spot prices are around 2–4 CZK/kWh. With ZAspot's platform fee, you typically pay 3–6 CZK/kWh.
For comparison: ČEZ charges 13 CZK/kWh for DC charging and Shell Recharge 15 CZK/kWh. The savings with spot prices are 50–70%.
How to Track Spot Prices?
On our spot prices page you'll find:
- Current hourly price — what charging costs right now
- Daily chart — price overview for the whole day
- Weekly and monthly overviews — trends and averages
- EUR/CZK conversion — automatic conversion at current rate
Data updates automatically, and you can set alerts in the ZAspot app when prices drop below your chosen threshold.
The Future of Spot Prices in the Czech Republic
The trend is clear: the share of renewable energy is growing, and with it price volatility. This is good news for spot tariff users because:
- More solar panels = cheaper electricity during the day
- More wind turbines = lower prices in strong wind
- Battery storage helps balance peaks
ZAspot is prepared for this future through integration with energy management (EMS) and dynamic pricing.
Summary
Spot electricity prices are transparent, market-based prices that change every hour. For EV charging, they represent the cheapest method — with savings of up to 70% compared to fixed tariffs. ZAspot brings spot prices directly to charging stations, whether you charge via the app or payment terminal.
