Legally Compliant E-Mobility in Germany
Charging in Compliance with Metrology Laws Using the Pico EV Charging Station
In this article, you’ll learn why metrology-compliant charging is so important, what legal regulations apply to charging stations in Germany, and how the Pico charging station helps you implement legally compliant billing in e-mobility.
Electric mobility is on the rise, but so are the challenges it brings—especially when it comes to fair and transparent billing for charging electricity. Whether in apartment buildings, for company fleets, or in customer parking lots: How can you ensure that everyone pays exactly for what they use? The answer lies in smart, metrology-compliant charging stations like the Pico.
Compliant with calibration regulations
Legally compliant billing thanks to MID-certified meters and digitally signed charging data.
Automatic Billing
No manual effort required. Create invoices for tenants and employees with just a few clicks.
Optimized Solar Power
Take advantage of excess PV energy through dynamic load management and reduce your charging costs.
Plug & Charge
Just plug it in and charge it. Automatic authorization via ISO 15118 —no app or card required.
The Solution: Billing in Compliance with Metrology Laws
German calibration law and the Austrian MessEN Regulation stipulate that only calibrated meters may be used for energy billing. The Pico electric vehicle charging station fully complies with this requirement. Each charging session is assigned a digital signature and securely stored. This not only provides legal certainty for landlords and businesses but also builds trust among users, who can view their charging data transparently at any time.
Why is metrology-compliant charging so crucial in Germany?
More and more people are driving electric cars, and companies and local governments are also turning to fleets of electric vehicles. This is increasing the need for reliable, legally compliant charging infrastructure in Germany. However, many operators underestimate the responsibility they are taking on—especially when it comes to billing for charging electricity.
As soon as a charging session is billed—for example, by kWh—the Measurement and Calibration Act applies. The electricity meter in the EV charging station must be calibratable, and the user has the right to transparent, verifiable billing. This is based on the Measurement and Calibration Act (MessEG) and the associated Measurement and Calibration Ordinance (MessEV).
Of particular relevance here is Section 3 of the MessEV, which stipulates that measurement values must be recorded in a tamper-proof manner and stored and processed in accordance with OCMF—a requirement that only certain certified charging stations meet.
Legal Requirements for Electric Car Charging Stations: What You Need to Know
Anyone who wants to operate an electric vehicle charging station in Germany in compliance with the law must meet the following requirements:
Compliance with metrology laws: The charging station must comply with all provisions of the MessEG and the MessEV.
MID Meter: The electricity meter used must be certified in accordance with the EU MID (Measuring Instruments Directive) Directive .
Transparency Software: Customers must be able to verify the billed charging data themselves.
Signature Module: Every billing transaction must be cryptographically secured—a key requirement for electric vehicle charging stations that comply with metrology regulations .
Documentation & Traceability: All data must be stored and retrievable in a legally compliant manner for a specified period of time.
These requirements apply to publicly accessible charging stations as well as to semi-public areas, such as a company parking lot or the underground parking garage of an apartment building.
smart-me Pico: The calibration-compliant charging station
The " Pico " charging station from smart-me is a PTB-certified solution that meets all legal requirements—and also stands out for its well-thought-out, user-friendly design.
Compliant with calibration regulations
The Pico is certified in accordance with German measurement and calibration law. It meets all requirements of § 3 of the Measurement and Calibration Ordinance (MessEV)—including a signature module, encrypted data storage, and calibration-compliant billing of charging power accurate to the kWh. This makes it fully legally compliant and ready for use in a professional setting.
Integrated MID meter
Pico features a MID-certified energy meter that measures electricity consumption directly and precisely. This ensures that every kilowatt-hour consumed is accurately recorded, legally documented, and billable—providing full transparency and trust during charging.
Transparent Billing
With the Pico , you receive a fully traceable billing statement. Using the integrated transparency software, users can view their charging sessions and verify them in accordance with Section 33 of the MessEV. All data is securely stored and can be verified at any time—simple, clear, and compliant with the law.
Future-Proof for the Charging Infrastructure
smart-me Pico relies on open standards and modular expandability. The charging station can be easily integrated into existing back-end systems and scaled as needed—ideal for apartment buildings, housing cooperatives, or municipal utilities that plan for the long term.
How Transparent and Legally Compliant Billing Works
A common criticism of the charging infrastructure is the lack of transparency in billing. Often, you don’t know exactly how much you’ve actually charged or how the price is calculated. The Pico charging station from smart-me solves this problem with a clearly structured and transparent billing system:
• Every charging session is cryptographically signed and protected against tampering.
• All data is accessible at any time via the transparency software—even weeks or months later.
• Billing is done directly on a kWh basis, based on the calibratable MID meter.
• Your charging sessions and payments are fully documented and archived in an audit-proof manner.
For you as a user, this means: You only pay for what you actually download.
For operators, this means: All legal requirements are met—securely, transparently, and without the risk of cease-and-desist letters or fines.
Who is the Pico charging station designed for?
smart-me Pico is not only of interest to energy providers and real estate portfolios—smaller companies, housing associations, hotels, medical practices, and municipalities also benefit from the combination of legally compliant technology and ease of use.
Property Management Companies
Offer your tenants a modern charging infrastructure and benefit from fully automated, legally compliant, and usage-based billing with no administrative hassle.
Condominium Owners (STWEG)
Ensure a fair distribution of costs in the underground parking garage. Everyone pays only for what they actually use. The charging data is transparent and accessible to all owners at any time.
Electricians & Plumbers
Install a future-proof and user-friendly charging station. With its simple Wi-Fi setup and integration into the smart-me ecosystem, Pico is the ideal choice.
Examples of use cases:
• Semi-public parking lots (e.g., at supermarkets, pharmacies, corporate headquarters)
• Tenant electricity models with charging options in underground parking garages
• Apartment buildings in underground parking garages or visitor parking lots
• Charging stations for employees at the company
In all cases, legally compliant and verifiable billing is essential—both for operational reliability and for user trust.
Conclusion: A Legally Sound Path to the Future of E-Mobility with “ smart-me ”
Anyone in Germany who wants to operate an EV charging station in compliance with the law has no choice but to use a solution that meets metrology regulations, featuring a MID meter and transparent billing. The Pico charging station from smart-me combines all these requirements in a compact, high-performance product—ideal for today’s and tomorrow’s charging infrastructure in Germany.
Whether you're a residential property owner, a business, a municipality, or a fleet operator: If you want to bill for charging electricity with a clear conscience and full legal certainty, you'll find the right solution in the " Pico ."
Contact Form
Discover the benefits of partnering with smart-me AG and play an active role in shaping the digital energy transition. Our innovative solutions help you manage energy efficiently and reduce costs. Take advantage of our expertise and become part of a forward-looking network.
This form is protected by reCAPTCHA to prevent spam.