A home charger from your employer: nothing but advantages?

It’s true that electric driving requires some adjustments. But anyone with a home charger already has one major worry less: studies show that 80% of charging sessions take place at home or at the office, so charging on the road will (usually) not be a problem. Although installing a home charger raises new questions, such as: 

In this article, we’ll look not only at the advantages but also at all technical, financial, and legal aspects — so you won’t face any unpleasant surprises down the road. 

Let’s start with the obvious: charging at home while you’re in bed, working or watching TV is far more comfortable than searching for a petrol station or waiting at a charger in the middle of nowhere. Just like your smartphone, you plug in your car and head out the next day with a full battery. 

But the biggest win is financial: (smart) home charging can be up to 3 times cheaper than refuelling and even up to 4 times cheaper than public AC charging! You may think: “Not my problem, my employer pays anyway!” True — but we’ll explain shortly why this still benefits you too… 

Which charging station or wallbox is ultimately installed at your home depends on many factors: your car, your home, your electrical connection, and your employer’s policy. Here are the key aspects:

Your connection: single-phase or three-phase?

Older houses often still have a single-phase connection, while three-phase is standard in newer homes. This affects the maximum charging power:

Your cable: fixed or removable?

There are two main types. A fixed-cable charger comes with the cable attached — plug in and go. A removable-cable charger uses the cable supplied with your car. Advantages of the latter: suitable for cars with different plug types (though Type 2 is becoming standard). Disadvantages: you need to take the cable out of the boot and store it again — sometimes wet or dirty.

Mounting: pole or wall?

Depending on your home situation, you can choose wall mounting or a pole. The Q8 models are suitable for both options and offer full flexibility.

The costs: what does the car policy say?

Employers usually pay for the installation of home and office chargers. But always check the car policy: all agreements regarding charging points and related costs must be clearly stated in writing. The policy also specifies what happens to the charger if you change employers, and under what conditions you can take it over.

Some chargers are little more than glorified sockets. But smart chargers — such as the Alfen Eve Single Pro-line or Peblar Business offered by Q8 — actively think along with you. How can a smart charger be extra beneficial? 

No worries about overload

Imagine: you plug in your car… and at that same moment your partner starts the oven, the washing machine and the dishwasher! A standard charger might overload your home network. A smart charger with load balancing continuously monitors electricity consumption and lowers your car’s charging speed to prevent a power outage.

Save (or earn!) money while charging

In Belgium, energy suppliers are required to offer dynamic tariffs. Prices are lower when demand is low (e.g., at night) or when production is high (e.g., sunny or windy days). In some cases, you even get paid for consuming electricity! A smart home charger adapts to these fluctuations and charges at the cheapest times.

An example… 
You plug in your car at 6 p.m. and it needs 8 hours to fully charge. A smart charger waits until 10 p.m. to start charging — taking advantage of lower night rates and reducing strain on the grid during peak hours. 

In euros… 
Charging a 50 kWh battery during peak hours can cost up to €16.30, while the same session at night may cost only €7.50 — a saving of more than 50%! 

Submit the bill to your employer 

Home charging reimbursement allows your employer to refund the electricity your company car consumes — based on precise usage data. 

The charging station and installation usually cost between €1,500 and €2,500, paid by the employer. They also reimburse your charging costs. 

This process is legally regulated. If you have a smart charger, your employer can refund your electricity costs using the official home charging reimbursement system — tax-efficient for them. The official tariff is set quarterly by the CREG and differs per region. Your employer may apply regional tariffs or one single tariff for all of Belgium. 
Some conditions apply: 

Contrary to earlier government plans, this regulation remains in force until further notice. 

1. Assess your situation
Do you have single-phase or three-phase? Where will the charger be placed? Gather the information and pass it on to your employer’s partner (e.g., 50five on behalf of Q8). Do you live in an apartment? Then you’ll need approval from the Owners’ Association via the building manager.

2. Your employer’s partner will contact you
This partner (e.g., 50five for Q8) assists your employer in selecting the right charger and manages the entire planning. And you? You have one point of contact and nothing to worry about!

3. An expert carries out the installation
They install your charger, handle the mandatory inspection, and provide instructions. The job usually takes half a day. Your employer arranges the system that tracks electricity usage. Your only tasks: notify your home insurance and the grid operator that you have a charger.

Charging at home is smart, charging with a smart charger is even smarter! It’s the best way to get the most out of your energy, and it enables proper reimbursement from your employer. And if your employer partners with a reliable provider like Q8, you can relax: you’ll receive the home charging solution that fits your needs, and we handle the installation from A to Z. 
And if you still need to charge on the road, your Q8 electric charging card gives you access to more than 99% of all charging points across Europe.