Charge electric company cars at home and bill in compliance with calibration law with the Charge Repay Service

Julia Krüger: Company cars are widespread in Europe and account for around 60 percent of all new car sales. More and more companies are electrifying their fleets and offering their employees electric company cars. In the case of classic combustion engines, employers often also cover the entire fuel costs. Billing is simple by using a fuel card or by submitting receipts to the employer. The charging costs for electric vehicles, on the other hand, are somewhat more complicated, as you can not only charge publicly, but also at your private home charging station. So what does the company car driver need in order to be able to settle the bill with the employer correctly? Mr. Schönenberg, can you answer this question for our readers? 

Anton Schönenberg: Of course. Company car drivers basically have various options for settling the costs of charging their vehicle. In the case of public charging or charging at the employer’s premises, the costs are usually borne directly by the employer, either through charging cards or through the charging infrastructure at the workplace. 

With home charging, on the other hand, the driver initially bears the costs as part of their electricity costs and must then be reimbursed by the company through a process. There are various reimbursement options: a flat-rate reimbursement or consumption-based reimbursement, which can be carried out either manually by the HR department or automatically by an external provider. A basic requirement for consumption-based reimbursement in Germany is compliance with calibration law in accordance with the German Measurement and Calibration Act. 

Julia Krüger: It definitely sounds like it would either involve a lot of effort or, in the case of a flat rate, could result in preferential treatment or disadvantages. But not only for the person driving the vehicle on business trips, but also for companies, right? 

Anton Schönenberg: Yes, that’s right. Companies are also facing several challenges. On the one hand, this includes expanding the charging infrastructure at the company location and removing the barriers to e-mobility for company car drivers. The solutions must be simple and convenient. 

On the other hand, another problem has already been mentioned: managing the costs of electric company cars. In contrast to combustion engines, where there was only one fuel card, there are three scenarios for electric company cars: public charging, charging at work and charging at home. Charging at home poses a particular challenge, as compliance with calibration law must be guaranteed here. Many employees already have a simple home charging station at home, which they have purchased through subsidy programs. However, this is often not usable for the company car and needs to be replaced. In addition, the charging solutions must be integrated into existing HR and billing systems. 

Julia Krüger: Can it still be an advantage for companies if their employees charge their electric company cars at home? 

Anton Schönenberg: Definitely. Charging at home can significantly reduce operating costs, as cheaper electricity tariffs can be used in the private sphere. Compared to public charging, up to 50% of the costs can be saved. Charging at home also increases satisfaction for employees, as it increases their personal flexibility and they are not dependent on public charging facilities.