What is Eichrecht?
Eichrecht, Germany's calibration law, ensures transparency and accuracy in billing for EV charging. It requires that the kilowatt-hour (kWh) electricity meters used for billing are periodically calibrated and accessible to the customer. To comply with the law, charging stations must display the kWh reading directly on the station or make the physical meter visible to customers. Each charging station is also equipped with a unique public key. This allows customers to independently verify the "starting meter value" through an authorised web or app interface which adheres to Eichrecht standards.
Where does Eichrecht apply?
When charging electric vehicles, compliance with Eichrecht depends on location and use. Home charging stations are not obligated to comply with Eichrecht regulations. For paid electric vehicle charging at the workplace by employees or visitors, Eichrecht compliance becomes mandatory. If the service is offered free of charge, the regulations do not apply. By contrast, all public and semi-public charging stations must fully comply with Eichrecht standards, which ensures clear, fair billing practices and protects consumers' rights in more open, accessible charging environments.
Eichrecht requirements & certification
Requirements
- Calibration for accuracy
The electricity meter must be regularly calibrated to ensure precise kWh consumption measurement.
- Customer visibility
The kWh reading must be easily accessible to the customer, which can be achieved through a display integrated into the charging station or by positioning the meter in a visible location.
- Data security
Charging stations must ensure secure end-to-end data transmission, guaranteeing reliable and tamper-proof transactions.
- Verification via public key
Each charging station must feature a unique public key (e.g., a QR code). This enables customers to independently verify the "start meter value" using a web or app interface.
- Transparent billing
Billing should be exclusively based on the electricity consumed (kWh), avoiding time-based or flat fees. Receipts must detail the kWh used, pricing, and other relevant transaction information.
Certification of electricity meters
- Type testing and pattern approval
The electricity meter must pass type testing and receive pattern approval from Germany's National Metrology Institute (PTB).
- MID certification
The meter must be certified by a notified body under the Measuring Instruments Directive (MID).
- Compliance with MessEV
Adherence to the Measuring and Verification Ordinance (Mess- und Eichverordnung, MessEV) is mandatory, ensuring the meter meets all regulatory requirements.
Eichrecht & the future: a global outlook?
Although Eichrecht is specific to Germany, it could become a blueprint for global EV charging standards. As electric mobility grows worldwide, there is an increasing demand to standardise how energy is measured, billed and verified. Eichrecht offers a model that balances consumer protection, fair competition and technical interoperability. As countries look to expand EV infrastructure, Eichrecht - or a similar framework - could become the international standard. Eichrecht is more than a legal requirement: it is a mechanism that creates trust in the growing world of electric mobility.
