What is Eichrecht?
The Eichrecht Measurement & Calibration Act is part of the German Measurement and Calibration Law (Mess- und Eichgesetz, or MessEG). This law governs the proper calibration of measuring devices, including those used in EV charging stations. It states that the kWh meter should be visible to the EV consumer to ensure accurate and transparent measurement of electricity consumption. The so-called Eichrecht Act includes regulations for compliance, such as the verification of data storage and transparency for the end consumer.
“Eichrecht” ensures that consumers are charged fairly and accurately for the electricity they consume, particularly in public charging stations for electric vehicles. Compliance with this law is mandatory for operators in Germany who wish to provide charging services. This information should also be accessible via the e-mobility provider (EMP) application.
Eichrecht regulations impact three crucial areas in public and semi-public charging
- Metering – the customer should have the ability to verify the kWh reading on the charging station, either through a display or the physical kWh meter. As per Eichrecht, the meter must be officially registered and periodically calibrated.
- Data security – the data flow going from the charge point to the back-end system has to be secure and compliant. Digital signatures utilize asymmetric cryptography, consisting of a private-public key pair. This cryptographic system ensures secure communication and transaction validation.
- Pricing – under Eichrecht regulations, electric vehicle charging tariffs must be calculated exclusively based on kWh consumption. Time-based and flat-rate session fees are prohibited as part of the primary charging fee. However, charges such as parking duration fees and session initialization costs are permissible. These additional charges must be itemized separately from the kWh consumption on the invoice to maintain billing transparency.
How does “Eichrecht” affect EV charging?
The “Eichrecht” requirements for EV charging stations came into effect in Germany in April 2019. After this date, all new DC and AC charging stations had to comply with these regulations.
However, there was a transitional period for existing charging stations. The law allowed charging stations that were already in operation before April 2019 to continue operating until April 2023 without meeting the new requirements.
How is Eichrecht regulated?
The Measuring and Verification Ordinance (Mess- und Eichverordnung / MessEV) establishes guidelines and standards for ensuring compliance with the “Eichrecht” regulations. The National Metrology Institute of Germany (PTB) is responsible for conducting type testing and pattern approval procedures to ensure compliance. To carry out market surveillance, the PTB has assigned 16 local control measurement offices in each federal state, which work alongside local inspection bodies.
What are the key benefits of Eichrecht for EV drivers?
- Fair Measurement and Billing – The goal is to protect consumers from being overcharged or charged inconsistently.
- Certified Hardware and Software – The charging station’s software must allow users to access detailed billing information.
- Transparent Data Access – Users should be able to verify this information, typically via displays, receipts, or digital interfaces.
- Applicability – Primarily enforced in Germany, but the principles of Eichrecht are influencing other European markets.
Eichrecht compliance use cases
- Home charging with reimbursement – companies that offer home charging options to their employees must require them to charge at charging stations that have MID-certified meters.
- Workplace charging – if employees are charging for free at their work location, there is no requirement to be Eichrecht compliant. The law affects only paid sessions.
- Public and semi-public charging – all public and semi-public EV charging stations must be compliant with the Eichrecht regulations.
How Eichrecht affects EV charging stakeholders
- CPOs (Charge Point Operators): They must install charging stations that are compliant with Eichrecht regulations. This includes certified hardware with verifiable kWh readings and mechanisms to provide transparent charging data to consumers.
- eMSPs (Electro-Mobility Service Providers): They need to integrate Eichrecht-compliant data into their platforms, ensuring users can validate charging session details, such as energy consumed and pricing.
- Manufacturers: Charger producers must design equipment that meets Eichrecht standards, incorporating precise energy meters and secure data transmission features.
- Consumers: EV drivers benefit from improved trust in the charging process, as they can verify the energy consumed, the session’s start values, and related costs through independent interfaces.
- Regulators: They oversee the compliance of stakeholders, ensuring that measurement and billing practices align with legal standards to protect consumer rights.
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