More and more employees are driving electric company cars. However, not everyone has charging facilities at home, especially in urban areas. Charging e-vehicles at the workplace is therefore becoming increasingly popular and thus an integral part of fleet management for many companies.
Companies are faced with the task of providing a suitable charging infrastructure, organizing billing processes and taking the legal framework into account. This article shows which aspects are relevant for charging at company locations and how practicable solutions can be implemented on a day-to-day basis.
Contents
Advantages of charging at the workplace
According to a survey conducted by energy company E.ON in 2025, 46% of electric drivers have the option of charging their vehicle at work. A charging infrastructure at the company location creates organizational, economic and practical benefits for both companies and employees. We have summarized the most important advantages for you:
Advantages for employees
Above all, a charging facility at the company location offers employees a great deal of convenience. The vehicle can be charged during working hours without having to plan additional stops. Company vehicles are reliably available with sufficient range during the working day and routes are easier to plan.
Charging at the workplace is therefore often perceived as an additional benefit and increases satisfaction. Charging an electric car at work is tax-free for employees if it is offered in addition to their salary.
Advantages for companies
An in-house charging infrastructure initially ensures that company vehicles are reliably ready for use. This facilitates deployment planning and reduces downtimes that could be caused by external charging processes.
Charging at the company location can also pay off economically. Electricity from the company’s own grid is often cheaper than charging at public fast-charging stations. Companies also get a better overview of the actual energy costs, as charging processes can be recorded and evaluated centrally.
Als Unternehmen können Sie das Ladekonzept in Ihre Strategie zur Elektrifizierung des Fuhrparks einbinden, um Ihr Image positiv nach außen zu tragen und neue Mitarbeiter zu gewinnen. Denn nicht zuletzt wirkt sich das Angebot von Lademöglichkeiten am Arbeitsplatz positiv auf die Arbeitgeberattraktivität aus. Es signalisiert Innovationsbereitschaft und Engagement für moderne Mobilitätslösungen.
Charging at the workplace: tax advantages
There are tax concessions and tax exemptions for charging equipment and charging current, which benefit both employees and companies.
Store at the company headquarters
If companies offer the charging of electric or hybrid electric vehicles at the company site free of charge or at a reduced rate as an additional benefit to wages, this isexempt from tax and social security contributionsin accordance with Section 3 No. 46 EStG . This means that there is no taxable non-cash benefit for employees if the top-up is granted in addition to their salary. The regulations are expected to apply until 2030.
Charging device for the home (wallboxes)
Wallboxes that are also provided by the employer for private use are also tax-free in accordance with Section 3 No. 46 EStG – but not the charging current. The employer can subsidize the purchase of a wallbox by the employee at a flat rate of 25 percent (Section 40 (2) sentence 1 no. 6 EStG). The regulations are also expected to apply until 2030 and are also exempt from social security contributions.
While companies were previously allowed to reimburse their employees a flat rate for charging an electric company car at home, this regulation will change at the beginning of 2026. Employers will now only be allowed to reimburse home charging electricity if full proof of actual consumption is provided.
Billing of the charging current
Companies can offer charging power free of charge, at a reduced rate or for a fee. Decide which model makes the most sense for your company. If a fee is charged, the amount of electricity supplied and the costs must be accurately recorded and invoiced. A monthly flat rate is also possible. Alternatively, you can also rely on external billing service providers who take over the measurement and billing of the charging current. You can find out more about the billing of charging current in our article E-cars as company cars.
Necessary investments and planning for the store at the company site
Even though charging at the business location offers many advantages, it requires initial investment and careful organization as part of fleet management. In order to enable charging, sufficient charging stations or charging points must be installed, depending on the number of electric vehicles. This requires planning, investment and possibly also conversion measures.
If several electric vehicles are charged at the same time, efficient load management should be implemented to avoid overloading and keep costs under control. The precise recording and billing of the charging current can also mean additional administrative work.
What companies should consider when charging at the workplace
Companies considering the introduction of a charging solution on site should consider the following aspects:
- Set goals: Define the goals that your company should achieve with the introduction of the charging solution, such as cost savings, CO₂ savings, employee development or a more positive image. Communicate these goals within the company and actively involve employees.
- Location: Is there enough space and is the location accessible to everyone? What about the electrical and data installation options, do any walls or roofs need to be erected and do they require planning permission? If you are not the owner, you must obtain permission from the landlord.
- Design of charging stations: Check whether a wallbox or a charging station is more suitable. Make sure that the charging points are suitable for different electric car models and can be flexibly expanded in the future. If necessary, introduce load management to avoid additional costs when charging several vehicles at the same time.
- Expert support: Many energy suppliers and specialists for commercial charging solutions offer design and installation from a single source, such as Vattenfall or Mobility House. This allows you to design a charging solution that precisely meets your needs. The location and the electrical system must always be inspected by a qualified electrician.
Training employees in the use of charging points in the company
The legal requirements and specifications can vary depending on the country, industry and company size. Some important points are listed below:
- The training must ensure that employees are informed about the safe operation of the charging stations, e.g. how to avoid electric shocks and how to handle the charging cables correctly.
- Emergency measures, e.g. procedure in the event of a power failure, cable fire or other incidents in connection with the use of the charging points.
- If charging stations have a usage management or payment function, it is important to inform employees about data protection, how their personal data is handled and which data protection guidelines apply.
More safety in the fleet
Instruct your drivers in the safe handling of company vehicles, including the special features of e-cars, via an e-learning course.
Charging on the company premises: organization in everyday life
Once the charging infrastructure has been set up at the company location, the focus shifts to smooth operation in daily use. Clear processes and responsibilities help to use the existing charging points efficiently and avoid conflicts.
- Determine who is allowed to use the charging points and how access is organized. Many companies rely on RFID cards or app-based solutions for this, which can be used to clearly assign company cars.
- If the number of charging points is limited, it is advisable to define usage rules – such as a maximum standing time after the charging process has been completed or prioritizing company vehicles over privately used vehicles.
- Those responsible in the company should ensure that charging points are functional, software updates are carried out and faults are rectified promptly.
Common mistakes when charging electric vehicles at the workplace
Typical mistakes can occur when setting up and operating a charging infrastructure at a company location, but these can be avoided with foresighted planning. The most common mistakes include
- Insufficient number of charging points: If demand is underestimated, bottlenecks occur in everyday life and vehicles cannot be charged in time.
- Charging power selected too low: Vehicles do not absorb enough energy within the available standing times and are not ready for use at the desired time.
- Lack of load management: If several vehicles are charged at the same time, this can lead to peak loads, unnecessarily high electricity costs or even overloading of the electrical system without intelligent control.
- Unclear or no usage rules: Without fixed responsibilities or defined charging times, for example, charging points can be blocked – for example by vehicles that are not reparked after charging is complete.
- Underestimating the organizational effort: It is essential to plan for issues such as billing, documentation of charging processes or maintenance of the charging points at an early stage.
- Lack of future planning: If the infrastructure is not designed to be scalable, additional costs will arise when the fleet grows or more electric vehicles are added.
Manage e-vehicles digitally with Fleethouse
A digital fleet solution such as Fleethouse helps companies to manage e-vehicles and expenses transparently and to display the costs per vehicle. This makes the profitability of the e-fleet measurable.
In day-to-day business, however, fleet software not only relieves the burden of cost control. With Fleethouse, you can bundle all records and documents – from leasing contracts to insurance certificates – centrally in one place. Deadlines, contract terms, UVV instructions or maintenance dates are automatically monitored and reminders sent out in good time. This makes organization much easier and reduces the risk of missing important deadlines.
Instead of maintaining tables manually or compiling information from different systems, you can access a central database for fleet management. This saves time, reduces sources of error and creates clarity in day-to-day business – especially when the fleet grows and the number of electric vehicles increases.
Digital control of e-fleet
Manage your e-vehicles digitally with Fleethouse for just €2.90 per month per vehicle.
The most important facts about charging an electric car at the workplace
Charging at the workplace increases the availability of electric company cars, reduces operating costs and offers employees greater convenience and tax-free charging options.
Companies should define the charging capacity, number of charging points, load management, billing and usage rules at an early stage to ensure smooth operation.
The scalable and strategic planning of charging points creates the basis for gradual electrification and efficient mobility concepts in the long term.
FAQ - Frequently asked questions about charging at the workplace
If companies offer their employees the opportunity to charge an electric or hybrid vehicle at the company site in addition to their salary, this is generally tax and social security free. There is no monetary benefit for employees.
This is decided by the company. The charging current can be offered free of charge, at a reduced rate or for a fee. In many cases, the employer covers the costs in full and books them as operating expenses.
Yes, if the company allows this. In this case, clear usage rules and, if necessary, separate billing should be defined in order to distinguish between business and private charging processes.
Further Fleet Knowledge
If you liked this article and would like to know more about this topic, we recommend these articles.
E-vehicle car policy: this is what an e-car policy is all about
E-mobility in the fleet: tips for integrating e-vehicles
Electromobility: building charging infrastructure for companies
Further blog articles
E-car as a company car: taxes, charging costs and insurance
E-car vs. combustion engine: who performs better?
E-mobility in the fleet: tips for integrating e-vehicles
Costs for an e-vehicle: companies can expect these expenses
Electromobility: building charging infrastructure for companies
E-vehicle car policy: this is what an e-car policy is all about
Digital fleet management: Why even small fleets should digitize their fleets
Fleet management: How to manage your vehicles efficiently
Measures for sustainable fleet management
Cost Drivers in the Vehicle Fleet: How you can Reduce your Costs
The company car: advantages, challenges and future prospects
Sample company car policy: Clear regulations in the company
Claims management: 1×1 for fleet managers
Accident with company car: Who pays?
Car subscription for electric cars: everything you need to know
Employer driving license check: What you need to consider in the fleet
Duties in the Fleet: UVV Instruction for Drivers
Owner liability in the fleet: what fleet managers should bear in mind
