Understand charge point Release detection

What is Release detection?

Release detection ensures that charging fees are accurately applied on paid charges, so charge point owners can precisely bill the EV drivers who use their charge points.

This is a charge point functionality in Monta, which specifies if a charge point can communicate when the charging cable has been unplugged, after the end of a charge. 

Why is Release detection important?

Release detection is used when the charge point owner has applied an idle or a minute charging fee in a Price Group. 

These fees are applied after a charge has finished, if the driver has not unplugged their car from the charge point. It serves as an incentive for drivers to move their cars after they are done charging, so the charge point is available for others who need it. 

An idle or a minute fee is applied per minute when the car has finished charging, until the cable is unplugged from the charge point. 

It is important for the charge point to communicate when the charge is finished and when the cable has been unplugged, as this time window is used to calculate how much the driver has to be charged. 

If the time of these events cannot be identified, Monta cannot apply the fee correctly, resulting in an overcharge or a lack of charge. 

Do my charge points support Release detection?

Supported charge points page

You can see which charge points support Release detection from this page. 

Charge point page

If you have applied a price group with an idle fee or minute fee on a charge point, which does not support Release detection, you will see this when you open the charge point in Monta Portal.

The fees will be marked in red.

Charge summary page

If an idle or minute fee has been applied on a charge point that does not support Release detection, you will be able to see this in the charge summary page on Monta Portal.

What if my charge point does not support Release detection?

If you are a charge point operator with charge points that do not support this functionality, please reach out to your charge point manufacturer and provide them with the following information. 

Charge point models can become compliant if they correctly switch between different states during charging, as described below. Hardware manufacturers can make their hardware compliant, by including the following in their firmware update. 

Charge points that support release detection:

• During the charge the state is Charging
• Charge is done, but cable is still plugged in, the state is Finishing
• Charge is done and the cable is plugged out, the state is Available

Charge points that do not support Release detection:

• Charge point goes from Charging directly to Available, even though the cable is still plugged in
• Charge point stays in Finishing after the charge is done and cable has been plugged out