EV Charging Pricing Terminology

Usage Pricing
Some EV charging networks price their chargers by just $/kWh used. This price might be called by different names in their App. For example as Charging Rate $k/Wh, Fee per kWh $k/Wh, Energy Delivered Rate $/kWh, Tariffs $/kWh, Price $/kWh, Session Fee $/kWh, Units $/kWh, Charge Fee $/kWh, Energy Fee $/kWh. The rate may be fixed or change with time of day.

The $/kWh price is the most common method used by EV charging networks, but many use a mix of pricing methods.

Parking/Duration Fee
Pricing may include a time based fee. Some networks call these a Duration Fee, Parking Fee, Cost Per Minute or Congestion Fee and are priced as $/min while you are connected to the charger.

Duration fees may start immediately on commencing charging, or may start after a period of time, or after your car reaches a set % of charge.

Some duration fees, like a Congestion Fee, might only be charged if the chargers are busy. The App should describe when it applies.

A network may use Duration Fee in addition to, or instead of, a $/kWh price.

Idle Fee
An idle fee is a Duration Fee that continues or starts after you finish charging but remain parked in the EV charging bay after charging. Some networks call idle fees an Idle Fee, Overstay Fee, Occupancy Fee, Overtime Penalty or Congestion Fee.

Minimum Charges
Some networks list a Minimum Price, Minimum Cost or Minimum Spend to be charged, to cover their costs.

Some networks add an additional Connection Fee, usually a set charge of around a dollar,  once you connect. Some networks call these a Session Fee, Starting Tarrif or Service Fee.

Grace Period
Some networks will display a period of time before a Duration Fee or an Idle Fee will commence.

Reservation Fee
Some networks may charge a fee for you to reserve an EV charging bay until you arrive.

Table: Sample pricing terms used by network Apps as at 12 September 2025. (May vary with each charger).

EV Charging Pricing Terminology