Power2Drive 2023: Zaptec brings MID-compliant charging solution and targets fleets

The Norwegian charging solution specialist Zaptec has introduced a MID-certified charging solution for the German market. The new charging system is equipped with a built-in electricity meter in accordance with the EU Measurement Instruments Directive (MID). This facilitates the use of semi-public charging stations for consumers and is crucial for Zaptec's international expansion into new European markets. The MID-certified Zaptec Pro will be available starting June 13.

The European Commission regulates the Measurement Instruments Directive and its compliance. The new charging system displays accumulated electricity consumption in kWh, allowing users to see how much electricity has flowed through the charging station. The charging history is stored in the Zaptec Portal, and the meter provides a measurement as accurate as an electricity meter installed in a fuse box, the provider advertises.

“With the MID-certified Zaptec Pro, we have developed a charging solution that includes an integrated measuring device and is now approved according to the MID Directive. This precisely measures the power delivered to the vehicle, ensuring EV drivers pay exactly for the electricity they have effectively charged,” explains Peter Bardenfleth-Hansen, CEO of Zaptec.

For other charging stations without MID, measurement accuracy and billing basis vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, argues the provider. Here, the measuring device has been developed in-house, and the charging station has undergone numerous tests to ensure the product functions independently of weather and temperature. While many other charging solution manufacturers integrate a third-party measuring device, the charging station itself functions as the measuring device here, making the entire system MID-certified, Bardenfleth-Hansen further explains.

Certification as an important component for expansion

The certification is seen as an important step in opening up new European markets, as several large markets, such as Germany, require MID certification for semi-public charging stations. The Norwegians expect that this requirement will soon extend to the rest of Europe and the Nordic countries.

“In the German market, the introduction of the integrated MID-compliant meter brings an enormous competitive advantage and is a reliable quality seal for all end consumers who only want to pay for the energy that their vehicle consumes,” says Zaptec Germany Managing Director Daniel Gwercher.

With the certification, tax authorities in the Benelux countries, France, and Germany also accept the tax deductibility of electricity for company cars. Six out of ten cars sold in Europe are company cars, which drive twice as much as private vehicles. Therefore, the certification opens up great potential for the Norwegian company in Europe, says the provider, who will also present his product portfolio at Power2Drive in Munich from June 14 to 16, 2023.

Power2Drive: Present with lectures on charging

In particular, there will be two lectures at the forum: on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, Daniel Gwercher, Managing Director of Zaptec Germany, will speak from 13:40 to 14:00 on the topic “AC Charging for Commuters: Disproving Range Anxiety,” explaining with facts and examples why a synergy of private and public charging is the right way to go. Florian Kienzle, CEO of Zaptec Switzerland and Regional Director of Zaptec DACH, will give a lecture on Thursday, June 15, 2023, from 14:20 to 14:40 titled “Bidirectional Charging: Why Vehicle2Home is Gaining Importance,” exploring the phenomenon of Smart Charging.