In electromobility, measuring the energy delivered is crucial for billing charging processes. There is a specific category of measuring devices, “6.8 - Measuring devices in the field of e-mobility ” in Germany. This category considers the wallbox as a measuring device. Retrofitting to a legally compliant device of category 6.8 is not easily possible, as each installation would require costly certification. Learn how retrofitting a legally compliant measuring unit is still possible in certain applications.
Retrofitting in the home area
In the home area, a solution can be found by using a commercially available active energy meter of category 6.1. This allows for the reimbursement of charging energy while complying with legal requirements. The Regulatory Determination Committee (REA), which includes representatives from the calibration offices, has defined exceptions for this.
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Our guide highlights the requirements for a home charging solution and explains what is needed to use it for legally compliant billing of company cars. Learn more about the installation of wallboxes, legal frameworks, and efficient billing solutions for home charging.
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Here are the conditions:
- The charging energy is measured with a meter that exclusively records the electrical energy transferred to the electric vehicle, i.e., no other consumers are connected.
- The electrical energy is obtained from only one contract partner through this meter.
- The measuring device meets the general legal requirements for electricity meters, is conformity assessed or validly calibrated, and is used correctly. (Proper use also includes the correct installation of the meter. The meter must be installed so that the meter reading can be read by laypersons on the display. MID meters installed in a wallbox generally do not meet this requirement.)
Further information can be found here (German only).
With this approach, the user is limited to charging only the company car at the home wallbox. As soon as a private charging process takes place, legal compliance for billing is no longer given.
Patented procedure for e-company cars: Retrofitting with Phoenix Contact
Phoenix Contact has developed a doubly patented procedure. This allows a wallbox to be expanded with a compliant meter. This meter records the energy needed to charge the company car. At the same time, other non-billable vehicles can be charged. The company car driver can distinguish between private and business charging processes in the web app of the Charge Repay Service.
Procedure for retrofitting with Phoenix Contact
An MID meter of type EEM-EM357 (future EEM-XM357) is installed in the supply line of the wallbox. It is important that the wallbox is installed in compliance with standards and has only one charging point. The meter is connected to the Charge Repay Gateway. The gateway can connect to the Charge Repay Service via WLAN, LAN, or mobile network.
You can read the process for company car drivers in detail in our Driver Portal . After the initial registration in the service, users have the option to distinguish between private and business charging processes in the web app and view all charging processes.
Retrofitting by Phoenix Contact vs. retrofitting with a simple MID meter
When retrofitting with a simple MID meter, only the company car may be charged at the wallbox. Only in this way can the charging processes be billed in compliance with the law. With the patented procedure from Phoenix Contact, it is possible to distinguish between private and business charging processes. Billing remains legally compliant.
Conclusion
Retrofitting a wallbox with a simple MID meter has its limitations, as only business charging processes can be billed in compliance with the law. In contrast, the patented procedure from Phoenix Contact offers an innovative solution that distinguishes between private and business charging processes and reliably records them. This method ensures transparent and precise billing and is therefore the optimal choice for use at the home wallbox.
