What is the German Eichrecht standard?

As more electric vehicles hit the road, accurate billing of electric vehicle charging services becomes increasingly important. In Germany, this is enforced by the German calibration law known as the “Eichrecht,” which sets guidelines for transparent billing and pricing comparisons between various EV charging providers. Eichrecht must be complied with in Germany, and it is expected that similar regulations will be introduced in other countries as electric vehicles become more popular.

How does the German calibration law affect electric vehicle charging service providers?

To operate an electric vehicle charging network in Germany, you must have Eichlecht-compliant hardware and software. All public and semi-public charging stations must comply with the Eichrecht Regulation, which covers three key areas: metering, pricing and data security.

Measurement

Eichrecht requires that all public electric vehicle charging stations be equipped with certified and calibrated electricity meters to ensure accuracy and reliability. Each charging point must have a visible kilowatt-hour meter and be calibrated regularly. EV drivers can quickly confirm kWh readings via the display or actual kWh meter device and verify it on their EV app or web interface, ensuring billing transparency.

Pricing

Charging stations must provide clear pricing and receipts detailing the power consumed, the price charged and other relevant information. Electric vehicle charging prices can only be based on kilowatt-hour consumption. Time-based fees and flat-rate meeting fees are not allowed. Eichrecht calls for transparent billing, with any additional electricity priced separately from the kilowatt-hours billed on the invoice.

Data Security

Eichrecht requires the use of unique public keys to ensure data integrity during electric vehicle charging. Public key encryption ensures secure communication between charging stations, electric vehicles and central management systems, preventing unauthorized data access. The public key can be a QR code, allowing drivers to check energy consumption, time and costs. Through secure signatures and encryption, charging stations can generate transparent invoices for drivers.

If you are interested in energy meters that comply with German Eichrecht standard, please feel free to contact us.