What does Session Fee mean?

Explanation

A session fee is a fixed amount added to every charging session regardless of how much energy you receive. It might be 0.50 EUR, 1.00 EUR, or more, applied on top of the per-kWh or per-minute charges. Think of it as a minimum transaction fee or connection cost.

Session fees are more common with roaming transactions (when you use Network A's charger through Network B's card) and at certain smaller network operators. Some networks use session fees instead of higher per-kWh rates, which benefits drivers who charge large amounts but hurts those who stop for a quick top-up.

Always check the full pricing breakdown before starting a session. A charger advertising 0.35 EUR/kWh plus a 1.00 EUR session fee is effectively 0.37 EUR/kWh if you charge 50 kWh, but 0.45 EUR/kWh if you only charge 10 kWh. For quick top-ups, a charger with no session fee might be cheaper even if the per-kWh rate is slightly higher.

For official definitions, visit European Alternative Fuels Observatory.

Where you'll see this

• In charging network apps
• On your charging receipt

Common confusion

Drivers sometimes do not notice the session fee in the pricing details and are surprised by a higher-than-expected bill. Always check for session fees, especially when using roaming cards or ad hoc payment.

Example

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