Wallbox installation and approval: what the grid operator requires

Short answer

You notify the grid operator of every wallbox before commissioning. That duty is in section 19 subsection 2 of the NAV. You also need approval if the rating exceeds 12 kVA. The Federal Network Agency treats 12 kVA as about 11 kW of active power.

RECOMMENDED PROVIDERS

Household socket and wallbox

For electrical safety you do not charge an electric car from a household socket. The wiring in homes is not designed for high currents over long charging times. At home you install a wallbox, and the Federal Network Agency names higher ratings up to 22 kW.

Notice before commissioning

You tell the grid operator about the wallbox installation before commissioning. Section 19 subsection 2 NAV requires that notice, and a qualified firm can file it for you. The grid operator needs the information to assess the load on the public network.

PROVIDERS

Approval above 12 kilovoltamperes

A wallbox above 12 kilovoltamperes needs the grid operator's approval. 12 kVA correspond to about 11 kW of active power. The grid operator responds within two months after your notice. If there is no consent, the operator must name the obstacle, remedies and the time needed.

Who may build the installation

Construction, extension and alteration may be done only by the grid operator or a listed installer. The company must be entered in the grid operator's installer register under sections 13 and 19 NAV. Other persons must not build or change the electrical installation.

Before installation an electrician can check the effort in an old or new building. In a new building, cable ducts and enough connection capacity are often already planned. In an older building, building work is more often needed.

House connection

Charging equipment up to 11 kW often still uses the existing house connection. Stronger plants more often need a reinforcement that you pay as the connection customer. Construction cost contributions can also arise.

Controllable consumption device under section 14a EnWG

A wallbox above 4.2 kW on the low-voltage grid falls under section 14a of the EnWG. That applies if you commission it after 1 January 2024. You report the wallbox and conclude an agreement on grid-oriented control.

The grid operator may dim the power draw in exceptional situations and still grants a minimum supply. A full shutdown of the wallbox does not take place. In return you pay a reduced grid fee and choose module 1, module 2 or module 3.

Tenancy and apartment ownership

Tenants can demand a building change that serves charging of electric vehicles. That is in section 554 of the BGB together with section 578. The landlord may refuse if the change is unreasonable. You as the tenant pay the costs of installation and the building work.

Apartment owners can demand reasonable building changes under sections 20 and 21 of the WEG. In new residential buildings with more than five parking spaces, empty conduits are required. For renovations that duty starts above ten parking spaces under sections 6 and 8 of the GEIG.