Energy Measurement Requirements for Charging Stations in Norway

Requirements for energy metering in charging stations: An overview of the regulations in Norway

In Norway, specific requirements have been established for the energy meter in charging stations, but not for the charging station as a complete metering system. These requirements are laid down in the Regulations on requirements for electricity meters, also known as the electricity meter regulations. According to the regulations, electricity meters sold after 01.01.2025 must have a MID conformity assessment if they are to be used in connection with charging electric vehicles. At the same time, it is clearly stated that meters sold before this date, and which are used for measuring electricity supply to electric vehicles in commercial contexts, can be used without a conformity assessment. The requirement therefore does not have retroactive effect.

Requirements for accuracy in energy metering

The electricity meter regulations set requirements for accuracy for all energy metering, regardless of whether the meter has a conformity assessment or not. This means that any measurement of electricity supply to electric vehicles in Norway must meet the accuracy requirements specified in the regulations.

Charging stations in housing cooperatives, condominiums and similar

The Norwegian Metrology Service regularly receives questions about whether the requirements for conformity-assessed electricity meters also apply to charging stations in housing cooperatives and condominiums. In such situations, the total amount of energy is typically measured by conformity-assessed meters belonging to the grid company. The question then becomes who is responsible for the internal distribution of energy in the housing cooperative or condominium. The Norwegian Metrology Service has assessed that if the deviation between the total amount of energy delivered from the grid company and the actual energy used by the residents is distributed over common costs, there is no requirement for conformity-assessed sub-meters.

However, it has been observed that there are different business models within such systems. Some operators offer billing of metered energy directly to consumers, for example by using Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP). The Norwegian Metrology Service considers that some models – which combine loans, rental or leasing with the sale of electricity – can be classified as commercial solutions. This particularly applies if the model includes direct billing per consumer, in line with commercial charging services elsewhere. In such cases, it cannot be considered a simple cost distribution, and requirements for conformity-assessed electricity meters may therefore apply.

Changes at the European level

At the European level, changes to the Measuring Instruments Directive (MID) related to energy metering in charging stations are being planned. Some member states argue that the entire charging station should be regulated as a metering system, and detailed regulations for this have been proposed. Norway, in cooperation with Iceland and Liechtenstein, has contributed an EEA EFTA comment to the EU's decision-making process. In this comment, we express concern that an extension of the regulation to include entire charging stations could lead to increased costs, hinder innovation and delay the development of charging infrastructure. We have therefore requested a thorough impact assessment before such extensive changes are introduced in the directive.

Transition period for new MID requirements

According to the electricity meter regulations, electricity meters in charging stations must be MID-conformity assessed from 01.01.2025. In connection with possible changes to the MID, a transition period for requirements for energy metering in charging stations is expected. During this period, all countries in the EU internal market must accept national approvals. The Norwegian Metrology Service will follow developments closely and make necessary adjustments to the regulations. Until changes to the MID have been clarified and the electricity meter regulations updated, electricity meters with national approvals from EU and EEA countries may be considered to meet the requirements, provided that it can be documented that the quality of the measurements is on par with MID standards.

Source: Justervesenet