Frequently asked questions

The monthly service fee starts from €5 per charger per month. There is a one-time commissioning fee that covers the remote setup and activation of each charger. See the full pricing breakdown on the Pricing page.

The commissioning fee covers the remote configuration of your charger to connect it to the KotiCharge backend, activation in our system, resident onboarding support, and testing of the first charging session. No electrician is needed for most OCPP chargers.

The monthly fee covers charger monitoring 24/7, smart charging scheduling, automated billing for all residents, monthly usage reports, power charge (tehomaksu) measurement and allocation, technical support, and software updates. There are no hidden fees on top.

A small payment processing fee applies when KotiCharge collects payments directly from residents on behalf of the housing company. This covers card processing and bank transfer costs. The exact rate is shown in your service agreement.

In the full billing model, each resident is billed individually and directly by KotiCharge for exactly what they consumed. The housing company receives a monthly refund payment covering all EV charging electricity costs, net of the residents' payments. The housing company never subsidises residents' charging.

Resident invoices are sent automatically at the end of each calendar month, covering all sessions in that month. Residents pay by card or bank transfer through the KotiCharge app. The housing company receives its refund within a few business days of the monthly settlement.

With spot-price billing, each kWh is priced at the actual Nord Pool quarter-hourly market rate at the time of charging. KotiCharge retrieves live Nord Pool prices, matches them to each session's timestamps, and calculates the exact electricity cost. Smart scheduling automatically shifts charging to cheaper overnight hours when possible.

With a fixed tariff, residents pay the same flat rate per kWh regardless of when they charge. With spot-price billing, costs vary by hour — overnight prices are typically very low, so smart scheduling can reduce charging costs by up to 50% compared to peak hours. Spot-price is the most transparent method and increasingly required by leasing companies for reimbursement.

Yes. The billing model is set at the building level. If the housing company prefers a fixed rate (for example, matching the building's electricity contract rate), that can be configured. Individual residents cannot choose their own billing mode — it is the same for all chargers in the building.

KotiCharge's smart charging scheduler monitors Nord Pool prices continuously. If a resident has set a ready-by time, the system finds the cheapest available hours within that window and avoids spikes. Residents can also set a price ceiling — if prices stay above it, charging is paused automatically until prices fall.

Almost always yes, once you account for the full cost. Managing billing in-house requires someone to read charger data monthly, calculate costs, send invoices, chase payments, and handle disputes. The KotiCharge service fee is typically less than the value of the time saved — and residents also benefit from smart scheduling savings of up to 50% on electricity costs.

Power charge is a demand-based component of the electricity network fee in Finland. Your grid operator charges it based on the three highest one-hour peak power draws of the calendar month. The higher the peak, the higher the monthly fee — paid by the whole housing company.

When multiple residents plug in at the same time — typically in the evening — the combined load creates a power spike. This spike can become one of the three monthly peaks used to calculate power charge. Without any load control, EV chargers can significantly raise the network bill for the entire building, including residents who don't own an EV.

KotiCharge measures each charger's power draw at every 15-minute interval. When a peak occurs, it calculates what share of the combined EV charging load each charger contributed to that peak. That share of the power charge is billed to the resident responsible. Residents who charge at off-peak hours contribute very little. The rest of the building's power charge — lifts, heating, shared lighting — stays with the housing company as before.

Yes — only the portion caused by EV charging is split and re-billed to residents. The baseline power charge from other building systems (heating, lifts, common area lighting) remains the housing company's cost, just as before KotiCharge was installed. In practice, smart load balancing also reduces EV-caused peaks, which can lower the total power charge for the building.

For most residents, no. The power cap limits the combined EV charging load during peak hours — typically evenings. Overnight, when building loads are lower, there is plenty of capacity and charging runs at full speed. Smart scheduling automatically moves sessions to off-peak windows when possible, so cars are still ready by morning.

Open the KotiCharge app and set a smart charging schedule with your required ready-by time. The system will automatically avoid charging during the highest-risk peak hours. If you want to manually pause charging, tap 'Stop session' in the app at any time. You can also set a maximum charging power limit in your profile to reduce your peak contribution permanently.

Power charge is measured at the building's main connection, not at your individual charger. The 15 kW peak reflects the combined load of all EV chargers plus other building equipment that were running at the same time as your session. KotiCharge attributes only your charger's proportional contribution to that peak — so if your 3.7 kW charger was one of four chargers running during the peak, you'd be allocated roughly one-quarter of the EV-caused portion, not the full 15 kW.

In the KotiCharge app, go to your session history and open the monthly summary. The report shows the three peak events for the month, their timestamps, and each charger's contribution. Property managers receive the same breakdown in the monthly usage report delivered to their inbox automatically.

KotiCharge supports any charger using the OCPP 1.6J standard or higher. Confirmed compatible brands include Zaptec, Defa, Garo, Easee, Charge Amps, Alfen, KEBA, go-e, Harju Elekter, Kempower, ABB, Ensto, Eaton, Etrel, Schneider Electric, Wallbox, Malmbergs, Elinta, and Finlux/Vestel. If you don't see your brand listed, contact us — we'll test it.

OCPP (Open Charge Point Protocol) is the international standard that allows EV chargers from any manufacturer to communicate with any charging management software. A charger that supports OCPP 1.6J or higher can be connected to KotiCharge regardless of brand. Proprietary chargers that only work with the manufacturer's own app cannot be managed by KotiCharge.

Yes. Any OCPP charger can be switched. The process is: update the OCPP server URL in the charger's settings to point to KotiCharge (wss://ocpp.koticharge.link), then notify us of the charger's ID. We activate it in our system within one business day. For Alfen and KEBA chargers, the firmware needs reconfiguration, which requires a brief electrician visit.

General steps: (1) Connect the charger to the internet via Wi-Fi or Ethernet. (2) In the charger's management interface, disable 'free vending' or 'plug and charge' so the charger waits for authorisation. (3) Set the OCPP URL to wss://ocpp.koticharge.link. (4) Send us your charger's ChargeBox Identity. We'll activate it and confirm by email. See the brand-specific guide for your charger model.

In most cases, no. For Zaptec, Defa, Garo, Easee, go-e, and most other brands, the OCPP configuration is changed remotely through the charger's web portal or manufacturer app — no physical work needed. Alfen and KEBA require a firmware change that currently needs an electrician visit. We'll tell you which applies to your charger.

You can start a session in three ways: (1) From the KotiCharge app — tap 'Start session' on your charger. (2) With your RFID tag — tap it on the charger's reader. (3) Automatically when you plug in — if your charger is set to auto-start in your profile, no authentication is needed. For smart overnight charging, set a schedule once in the app: after that, just plug in and the system starts charging at the cheapest hours before your ready-by time.

The most common causes are: (1) The charger is offline — check your router and the charger's status light. (2) The cable is not fully inserted into the car — remove and re-insert until it clicks. (3) The charger is waiting for a smart schedule to begin — check your scheduled sessions in the app. (4) Your account has a billing issue — check for a notification in the app. If none of these apply, contact support with your charger ID.

Common reasons: (1) Your car's onboard charger limits the AC input — most EVs accept 7.4 kW or 11 kW maximum, regardless of charger capacity. (2) Load balancing is active and the building's total power is being shared between multiple chargers. (3) The charger is in a thermal protection mode — this is automatic and temporary. (4) The cable or car charge port is not making full contact. Check the session details in the app for the reported power level.

Three ways: (1) In the KotiCharge app, tap 'Stop session'. (2) Tap your RFID tag on the charger reader again. (3) Some chargers have a physical stop button. After stopping, wait for the charger's status light to change before unplugging the cable — unplugging while the session is still active can lock the cable on some charger models.

Do not force the cable. The locking mechanism is normally released when the session ends. Steps: (1) Stop the session in the app or with your RFID tag. (2) Wait 10–15 seconds for the lock to disengage. (3) Try unplugging again. If the cable is still stuck, unlock your car first (some cars lock the cable from the vehicle side), then try again. If it remains stuck, contact KotiCharge support — we can send an unlock command to the charger remotely.

Wait 2–3 minutes — the app syncs with the charger at intervals and may not update immediately. If the session still shows as active after 5 minutes and you have already unplugged, tap 'Report a problem' on that session in the app. We will close the session on the backend and ensure you are only billed for actual energy consumed.

An offline charger has lost its internet connection. Steps to resolve: (1) Check that your Wi-Fi router or the network the charger is connected to is working. (2) Reboot the router if needed. (3) Reboot the charger (see 'How do I reboot my charger?' below). (4) Check the charger's status light — it should turn solid when reconnected. If the charger is still offline after 10 minutes, contact KotiCharge support with the charger ID and we'll investigate from our end.

Error states are shown in the KotiCharge app with the charger's error code and a plain-language description. The first step is always to reboot the charger. If the error clears after a reboot, you can resume charging normally. If the error returns, note the error code shown in the app and contact KotiCharge support — we'll diagnose remotely and, if hardware repair is needed, coordinate with the electrician and manage any warranty claim on your behalf.

The most common causes are: (1) The cable was unplugged before the schedule window began — the charger cannot start without a cable connected. (2) The charger went offline before the scheduled start time. (3) The ready-by time you set had already passed when you plugged in, so the system skipped the schedule. (4) Your car's own charge timer blocked the session — check whether your car has its own scheduled charging feature enabled, and disable it so KotiCharge controls the timing.

When a smart charging schedule is created, the KotiCharge app shows a green 'Scheduled' indicator on the active session card on the home screen. You will also receive a push notification (if enabled) confirming the schedule start time and the planned charging window. You can view all upcoming scheduled sessions under 'Sessions → Upcoming' in the app.

The method varies by brand, but the general approach is: (1) Unplug the charging cable from the car. (2) Either hold the charger's reset button for 5–10 seconds, or switch off the charger's circuit breaker, wait 30 seconds, and switch it back on. (3) Wait for the charger to reconnect — the status light will turn solid when ready (typically 1–2 minutes). For Zaptec and Garo chargers, you can also send a remote reboot command from the KotiCharge app under 'Charger settings → Reboot'.

After the initial setup, practically nothing. KotiCharge bills residents automatically, sends the housing company a monthly refund, and delivers a usage report. The board does not need to review individual sessions, handle disputes, or manage payments. If a charger develops a fault, KotiCharge handles technical support directly with the resident.

After the initial setup, typically less than 10 minutes per month for the property manager. The monthly usage report arrives automatically by email. You attach it to the accounting record for the KotiCharge payment — and that's your entire monthly EV charging workload.

In the full billing model, yes. KotiCharge collects payments from residents directly and refunds the housing company monthly. In the Lightweight Report model, KotiCharge only provides the data — the property manager invoices residents themselves and all money flows within the housing company. KotiCharge never touches resident payments in that model.

With the Lightweight Report, KotiCharge reads usage data from the chargers and sends the property manager a monthly invoice-ready breakdown per resident. The property manager invoices residents directly. With full KotiCharge billing, KotiCharge handles everything: invoicing residents, collecting payments, and refunding the housing company. The Lightweight Report is better suited for housing companies that prefer to keep money flows internal.

Residents contact KotiCharge directly through the app or by email. KotiCharge diagnoses the issue remotely. If hardware work is needed, we contact the electrician and manage any warranty repair. The property manager is not involved — they only receive a summary in the monthly report if a repair occurred.

The outgoing resident's access is deactivated in the app — their charger stops accepting their authorisation. The new resident submits a join request through the app and is activated after verification. No action is needed from the property manager or board for either step.

Yes, at any time. New chargers are added to your KotiCharge account and configured remotely. They appear in the system within one business day. The monthly service fee adjusts to reflect the new number of chargers from the following billing period.

Yes. With the Lightweight Report model, property managers receive the usage data and invoice residents themselves — you can add a management fee on top of the electricity cost. This creates predictable, recurring monthly revenue per building with very little extra work per property.

KotiCharge tracks every home charging session for enrolled employees. At the end of each month, it sends a consolidated invoice to your company or leasing company covering all employees' charging costs. Each employee is reimbursed automatically — no expense forms, no receipts, no spreadsheets.

No. KotiCharge connects to any charger that supports the OCPP 1.6J standard or higher — including Zaptec, Defa, Garo, Easee, Charge Amps, Alfen, KEBA, go-e, and many others. Connecting an existing charger takes about 15 minutes remotely, at no cost.

Fully supported. KotiCharge already operates in housing companies across Finland. The employee's home charger is connected normally, and the employee reimbursement flow runs in parallel — KotiCharge handles both the resident billing and the employer invoice automatically.

KotiCharge is compatible with major Finnish leasing companies including Secto Automotive, Drivalia Lease, LeasePlan, and SmartFleet. Our invoices include quarter-hourly spot-price detail in a standard format that leasing company finance teams can directly reconcile. Contact us to confirm compatibility with your specific provider.

Yes. KotiCharge supports both spot-price reimbursement (based on real Nord Pool hourly prices) and flat-rate reimbursement (a fixed amount per kWh, agreed with your leasing company or accounting department). Spot-price is the most accurate method and increasingly the preferred option for leasing companies.

The employee downloads the KotiCharge app, connects their home charger, and selects your company as their employer. You receive a notification and approve the enrolment in your company dashboard. From the next charging session, their costs are tracked and included in your monthly invoice. The whole process takes under 15 minutes for the employee.

You deactivate the employee's enrolment in the company dashboard. Their charging costs stop appearing on the company invoice from the next session. The employee's personal KotiCharge account remains active — they can continue using the charger as a private user if they wish.

Nothing ongoing. After initial setup, KotiCharge runs fully automatically. HR receives one consolidated invoice at the end of each month for all enrolled employees. Approve it, pay it — done. No individual claims to process, no receipts to collect, no spreadsheets.

KotiCharge handles it. Residents contact support directly through the app or by emailing support@koticharge.com. We diagnose the issue remotely and, if hardware work is needed, we manage the electrician visit and any warranty process. The property manager does not need to get involved.

You will only ever be charged for the energy that was actually delivered during the session. If a session ends unexpectedly, we calculate the cost based on the kWh recorded up to that point. If the session shows as completed in the app but you believe no energy was delivered, report it using 'Report a problem' on that session and we'll investigate and correct the charge if needed.

Open the session in the KotiCharge app and check the timestamp, location, and kWh. If you still don't recognise it, tap 'Report a problem' and select 'Billing dispute'. Include any relevant details. Our team will review the session data within one business day and contact you with the outcome. If the charge was incorrect, it will be credited on your next invoice.

First, close and reopen the app. If the error persists, log out and log back in. If you still see the error, take a screenshot and send it to support@koticharge.com with a brief description of what you were doing when it appeared. For billing-related errors, do not attempt to start a new session until the error is resolved.

Residents: use 'Report a problem' on the relevant session in the KotiCharge app, or email support@koticharge.com. Companies and housing companies: contact your account manager directly, or email invoicing@koticharge.com. We aim to resolve all billing disputes within two business days.

The quickest way is through the KotiCharge app: go to 'My charger' → 'Report a problem'. Describe the issue and include the error code shown on the charger (if any). You can also email support@koticharge.com. We'll diagnose remotely and respond with next steps — usually within a few hours on business days.

We aim to respond to all support requests within 4 business hours. Critical issues (charger completely offline, billing errors) are prioritised and typically resolved same day. Non-urgent requests (configuration changes, account updates) are handled within one business day. Emergency technical support outside business hours is available for housing companies with active service agreements.