From maintenance to measurement certainty: a new role for charging station service companies

The electric vehicle market is growing rapidly. As a result, the role of charging stations is also changing. A charging station is not just a technical connection point for an electric car. With the introduction of the new European MID directive (EU) 2026/706, harmonized requirements are being introduced for the first time for measuring systems in charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. This makes the charging station increasingly a measuring instrument used for billing. Companies providing services on charging stations will experience a shift in their role.

From charging point to billing point

At a gas station, it is a given that the pump accurately measures how many liters of gasoline or diesel are delivered. The same expectation arises with electric charging. The user pays not for liters but for kilowatt-hours. These measurements must also meet the new European requirements for measuring systems in charging infrastructure in the future.

Charging stations are becoming part of a professional measurement chain. The charging station forms the link between vehicle, power grid, operator, back office, and billing. Therefore, a charging point must not only deliver reliably but also measure reliably.

Service goes beyond maintenance and malfunctions

Until now, the emphasis on charging station service has been on technical availability. Think of maintenance and troubleshooting. That remains important, but due to stricter requirements for measurement accuracy, service companies face questions from operators such as:

• Does this charging station still function within the specified measurement accuracy?
• Is the registration of the delivered energy correct?
• Is the measurement still reliable after maintenance or replacement?
• Is the documentation available to demonstrate the check?

For those service providers, an important task arises: checking and recording measurement accuracy. This requires different knowledge, skills, methods, and equipment.

Documenting becomes part of the service offering

A check only has value if the results are well documented. Operators want to be able to demonstrate that their charging points function correctly and that checks have been carried out in a structured manner.

This results in a broader role for service companies. They can support operators with measurement reports, maintenance history, and advice on next steps. Think of additional verification, repair, replacement of components, or performing a new check measurement.

Good documentation not only helps with compliance. It also prevents disputes over billing and enhances trust from users and clients.

DC chargers make testing extra specialized

Measurement accuracy is already important with AC charging points, but with DC fast chargers, the technical challenge is greater. Fast chargers work with high power and high currents. A lot of energy is delivered and billed in a short time. Therefore, a small measurement deviation can quickly have financial consequences. Per charging session, the difference may seem limited, but at intensively used charging stations, a structural deviation can accumulate significantly annually.

Moreover, many DC fast chargers have integrated measurement modules, making control under practical conditions more complex. Testing DC chargers requires extra specialized knowledge and suitable and reliable equipment. The check must be performed safely, accurately, and reproducibly, even under practical conditions with varying power and short test times.

New opportunities for service companies

The new MID directive makes reliable measurement at charging stations much less optional. This offers opportunities for service companies that want to expand their services. In addition to installation and maintenance, they can help operators with inspections during maintenance, verification after changes, testing of AC and DC charging points, and reporting of measurement results. This makes charging station service a more strategic part of professional charging infrastructure.

The key to attractive service lies not only in quickly resolving malfunctions but also in demonstrably maintaining the reliability of the measuring equipment in charging points.

We help with test and control equipment and training

Our experts provide certified equipment with which service companies can professionally test, control, and evaluate charging stations and charging points. Think of equipment from the e-Mobility Testing program for AC and DC charging points from the German brand ZERA. In addition, we train service employees in correct and optimal use of this equipment.

Being prepared on time

Service companies now have the opportunity to expand their services and help operators be prepared on time for stricter requirements around measurement accuracy. Reliable charging begins not only with a well-functioning charging station but also with a service partner who can measure, control, and demonstrate that the delivered energy is indeed accurate.