When it comes to managing your EV charging stations, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. The way you choose to bill or manage these stations will depend on your business goals, customer preferences, and local regulations. Let’s explore the most common configurations and how they work in practice.
Note: Think outside the box—your perfect setup might be something completely new!
1) Charging by kWh
This model charges users based on the amount of electricity they consume, measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). It’s a straightforward and cost-effective approach for both the station owner and the driver. Here’s how it works:
Example:
Set price—$0.30/kWh
30kWh x $0.30/kWh = $9.00
Best for: Networked stations like Greenlots, EV Connect, or Everon.
| Pros: |
Cons: |
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- Simple for users and operators
- Directly recovers energy costs
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- Doesn’t prevent long-term parking
- Not allowed in some regions where energy resale is prohibited
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2) Charging by Time
Some locations use time-based billing, charging users for how long their car is plugged in. This encourages faster turnover and prevents “camping†at chargers. Here’s an example:
Example:
Set price—$2.25/hour
30kWh charge (at 7.4kW output) = ~4 hours
4 hours x $2.25/hour = $9.00
Best for: Networked stations like Greenlots, EV Connect, or Everon.
| Pros: |
Cons: |
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- Legal in all areas
- Discourages long-term occupancy
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- Favors cars with faster charging speeds
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3) Combo Pricing (kWh + Time)
A hybrid approach that combines both kWh and time-based pricing ensures fairness while encouraging efficient use. For example:
Example:
Set price—$0.15/kWh & $1.15/hour
(30kWh x $0.15/kWh) + (4 hours x $1.15/hour) = $9.10
Best for: Networked stations like Greenlots, EV Connect, or Everon.
| Pros: |
Cons: |
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- Fair pricing for users
- Discourages long-term parking
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- Difficult to set the right balance
- Not allowed in some regions
- Still favors faster charging vehicles
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4) Flat Rate
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A flat-rate model offers simplicity: one fee for each charge, regardless of usage or time. This can be especially useful if you’re using network-ready systems or want to keep things easy for users. You can even collect payments manually, such as through entry fees or access cards.
Example:
Set price—$9.00 per charge
No math! It’s always $9.00
Best for: Networked stations, RFID-only systems, or Plug ‘n Charge setups.
| Pros: |
Cons: |
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- Easy to implement
- Transparent pricing
- No bias toward fast chargers
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- Doesn’t discourage long-term parking
- May not reflect actual energy use
- Limited smart charging features
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5) Free Charging
Offering free charging is a great way to attract EV drivers without asking them to pay anything. It’s ideal for businesses looking to enhance customer experience and build loyalty. This option works with all types of charging systems.
Example:
Set price—FREE!
No math—it’s free!!
Best for: Networked stations, RFID-only, or Plug ‘n Charge systems.
| Pros: |
Cons: |
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- Increases customer satisfaction
- Reduces operational costs
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- No revenue generation
- Fewer advanced smart charging options
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Everything you need to know about EV charging
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