An overnight charging session can incur time-based fees even while the battery is still charging. The trigger depends on your tariff: it may be time since connection, time since charging started or time after charging ended. Night-time exemptions are not automatic, and a charging fee does not replace parking rules.

What is an idle fee?

“Idle fee”, “blocking fee” and the German terms “Blockiergebühr” or “Standzeitzuschlag” are not enough to determine the calculation. Read the actual condition behind the label. Some tariffs charge after a fixed connection period; others apply when charging has finished. A driver can therefore be occupying the point lawfully and still incur a contractual time fee.

An energy price buys measured electricity. A time fee accounts for the use of the charging point. Parking charges are a separate service and can be due as well. Comparing only the kWh price misses two of these three costs.

Do fees apply at night or while charging?

Time fees may depend on connection duration, charging status, time of day and whether the station is in a partner network. Check the trigger and any cap for the exact session. A rule at one charger is not a universal rule for public charging.

Do not transfer a fee exemption from one app to another merely because the same operator’s logo is on the charger. The account used to authenticate the session determines your charging contract. Check the station details in that app immediately before starting.

Calculate a long session before you leave

Example: eight hours connected

Assume a fictional tariff allows four hours without a time fee, then charges €0.10 per minute, capped at €12 per session. Eight hours connected would create 240 chargeable minutes. The uncapped amount is €24; the cap reduces it to €12. Add the electricity and any parking charge. Without the cap, the answer would be different.

If the car only needs 25 kWh, a cheaper energy price can be outweighed by that extra €12. Conversely, moving the car simply to save a small fee might be inconvenient. Calculate first and choose a site whose permitted stay matches your plans.

A checklist for evening charging

• Read the start point of the timer, free period, rate, cap and any overnight exception.

• Check signs for maximum parking time, charging requirements and parking tickets.

• Estimate when the car will finish at its actual AC charging power.

• Set a reminder before the earliest relevant deadline, rather than relying only on an app notification.

• End the session using the supported method, unplug and move the vehicle when required.

For the technical side of overnight AC charging, see AC, DC and HPC explained. For a regular public-charging routine, read living with an EV without home charging.

What if the bill looks wrong?

Keep the session ID, start and end times, tariff displayed before charging and photographs of relevant signs. Ask the charging provider which timer and cap were applied. If the charger did not end the session correctly, give the operator its exact connector ID as well. Do not assume repeated stop-and-restart sessions are an accepted way around the tariff; they may generate extra session fees and leave the underlying parking restriction unchanged.

Plan an evening stop with StromNow

Check the station and the price before connecting, then plan a stop that fits your evening. StromNow helps you find charging options and keep the charging decision in one app. Explore StromNow and download the app.

Editorial review: 5 September 2026. Check current station conditions before charging.