Many companies pay the cost of charging commercial vehicles, but one important point is often overlooked: the idle fee, also known as the rotation fee. These are additional costs that arise when a vehicle remains connected to the charging station for too long after charging. Rotation fees can be as much as €0.50 per minute and are often not listed separately on the invoice, but as part of the total charging cost. This makes it difficult for companies to track costs and pass them on to employees. The result? The company pays the penalty, sometimes without realizing it. In Belgium, such rotational charging is becoming more common, which can have significant financial consequences for companies over time.
Rotation costs in Belgium and Europe
In Europe, several charging network operators apply rotation charges. For AC chargers, Allego, Shell Recharge and NewMotion charge around €0.25 per minute after four hours, with variations by country, while Blue Corner in Belgium applies location-based rates, especially in cities. Fast chargers have higher rates; for example, Ionity charges between €0.40 and €0.50 per minute after 45 minutes, and Allego charges €0.25 per minute. Currently, Allego does not yet charge a rate for AC chargers in Belgium, but given its recent introduction in the Netherlands, we can expect Belgium to follow soon.
Brussels grid operator Sibelga has found that vehicles often stay at a charging point three times longer than necessary. In Ghent, electric cars are charging only 40% of the time. There is clearly a trend of an increasing need for charging station operators, whether in discussion with local governments or not, to make the use of charging points more efficient.
Prevention is better than paying.
Prevention is better than payment
Companies can save significantly by proactively managing idle fees. Mobile apps from both automakers and charging network operators offer the ability to monitor charging sessions and often even send real-time notificationswhena vehicle is near full charge, allowing fleet managers and employees to move vehicles in time to avoid unnecessary costs.
An important aspect is the awareness and training of employees about rotation costs. This involves receiving training in smart charging strategies that include the aforementioned mobile apps and encouraging them to charge primarily at the company’s own charging station or at home, where these costs do not apply.
The car policy is an important tool to prevent rotation costs. It can stipulate that employees must charge privately as much as possible (charging station employer or charging station at home) and that employees must clear public charging stations immediately once their vehicle is fully charged. It can also stipulate that traceable (!) rotation costs be charged to the employee. This provides greater clarity and helps control unnecessary costs.
Companies can also implement a limited charging pass, where each employee is given a monthly charging budget based on their position. If the employee exceeds that budget, they are responsible for paying the additional charges. A charging pass often does not exclude international charging, and companies have difficulty tracking these charges. Some companies choose to pass on charging costs abroad to employees, while others simply reimburse everything to reduce the administrative burden.
What is in store for us?
Rotational charging is expected to become increasingly common in Belgium and Europe, especially in urban areas wheredemand for charging stations is high. So it is crucial that companies get their charging schedules and policies in order before costs skyrocket.
Conclusion
Rotational charging can be a hidden cost for businesses, but it doesn’t have to be. By implementing smart charging strategies and including clear clauses in car policies, you can avoid these unnecessary costs and significantly improve the efficiency of your electric fleet. Deploy existing technology and tools correctly, establish clear rules, and make your employees aware of the impact of their charging behavior.
Stroohm Consultancy is happy to help you stay on top of rotation costs with our targeted training and customized consulting.
Contact us today through this link and lead your electric fleet into a more efficient, cost-conscious future!
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