Electricity cost reimbursement is usually the first topic companies address when they want to enable employees to charge company cars at home. That is understandable, as business-related charging sessions must be accurately recorded and reimbursed.
However, a second aspect is often underestimated: responsibility for the wallbox itself. Depending on how the charging infrastructure is provided, different organizational and technical obligations may arise. Companies should therefore look beyond reimbursement when designing a Charge@Home concept. An equally important question is who selects, purchases, installs, and operates the wallbox.
Who Is the Operator of a Wallbox?
According to DIN VDE 0105-100 (in Germany), every electrical installation must have a designated operator. The operator is the person or organization that bears overall responsibility for the safe operation of the installation. The operator and the owner are not necessarily the same entity. That is why it is worth taking a closer look at how the wallbox is made available to employees in the first place.
When the Company Provides the Wallbox
Many companies initially choose a centralized procurement model. A specific wallbox model is selected, purchased, and installed at employees’ homes. The main benefit of this approach is standardization. Everyone uses the same hardware, technical requirements can be aligned more easily, and the charging infrastructure can often be managed centrally.
Benefits for the Company
Uniform charging infrastructure
Standardized procurement and installation processes
Clearly defined technical requirements
Easier integration with additional systems
However, this model may also result in additional organizational responsibilities. Depending on the arrangement, the company may take on operator obligations as well. In that case, topics such as documentation, inspections, and liability become more important. The requirements of DGUV Regulation 3 are particularly relevant. Electrical installations must be inspected regularly. As the number of home charging points grows, so do the administrative effort and costs associated with inspecting installations that may be spread across the country.
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Potential Implications for the Company
Organizing inspections and maintaining documentation
Managing inspection intervals and records
Clarifying responsibilities in the event of damage or incidents
Increased administrative workload for larger vehicle fleets
Potential Implications for Employees
For employees, a mandatory wallbox specification can also create limitations. Many company car drivers already own a wallbox. In many cases, it is integrated into a broader energy ecosystem that includes photovoltaic systems, home battery storage, or energy management solutions. Replacing an existing installation with an employer-specified system would often be neither economical nor practical.
Why Many Companies Choose a Bring-Your-Own-Wallbox Approach
For this reason, many companies deliberately allow employees to choose their own charging infrastructure. The wallbox is selected, purchased, and operated by the employee. Existing systems can continue to be used, and individual requirements remain intact.
Benefits for Employees
Freedom to choose the most suitable wallbox
Existing charging infrastructure can continue to be used
Continued integration with PV systems, battery storage, and smart home solutions
No unnecessary replacement investments
Benefits for Companies
Companies often benefit from this approach as well.
Clear ownership structures
Reduced administrative effort related to charging infrastructure
No need to standardize on a single manufacturer
Simpler processes when employees join or leave the company
The Real Challenge Is Not the Wallbox
Allowing employees to choose their own charging infrastructure does not automatically solve the electricity reimbursement challenge. Companies still need a reliable way to determine how many kilowatt-hours were used to charge company vehicles and how much should be reimbursed.
This is where many organizations encounter the real challenge. Different wallbox manufacturers, different installations, and varying technical prerequisites must be aligned with the need for a standardized reimbursement process.
How Phoenix Contact Solved the Challenge
Phoenix Contact faced exactly this situation when introducing a Charge@Home concept for its own company car fleet. Rather than mandating a specific wallbox, employees were allowed to continue using their existing charging infrastructure. At the same time, electricity cost reimbursement needed to remain reliable and transparent.
This approach led to the development of the Charge Repay Service. The solution enables the recording and reimbursement of business-related home charging sessions regardless of the wallbox model used. Existing wallboxes can continue to be used. If required, non-meter-compliant systems can be integrated through a retrofit solution. This allows companies to standardize their reimbursement processes without restricting employees’ freedom to choose their charging infrastructure.
Conclusion
Operator responsibility should be considered at the earliest stages of planning a Charge@Home program. In practice, the key factor is often not the wallbox itself but the organizational model behind it. The party that purchases, installs, and operates the charging infrastructure also influences the responsibilities that arise later. That is why many companies choose a model in which employees select and operate their own wallboxes. This preserves existing systems and often creates a clearer separation of responsibilities. Once that foundation is in place, companies simply need a reimbursement process that works independently of the wallbox model being used.
