The MID meter in your charger: what it is and why it's required
A MID meter is the one condition for earning EREs with your charger. What MID means, how to recognise one and what your options are.
Anyone digging into earning money with home charging immediately runs into one term: the MID meter. No MID meter means no ERE registration — and no payout. Time to unpack it: what is it, why is it mandatory and how do you find out whether your charger has one?
What is a MID meter?
MID stands for Measuring Instruments Directive — European directive 2014/32/EU for measuring instruments. The directive ensures that meters used for billing (think of the smart meter in your home, fuel pumps, shop scales) are demonstrably accurate and tamper-proof.
A MID-certified kWh meter in a charging station is an energy meter factory-approved under that directive. Its readings are legally usable: you may settle costs with them and — relevant since 2026 — have charge sessions registered as EREs.
You can recognise the meter by the M mark with a year (for example "M26") on the type plate or in the datasheet, usually alongside a mention of the directive itself.
Why is a MID meter mandatory for EREs?
Every ERE is a tradable certificate for 1 kg of avoided CO₂. Fuel suppliers buy those certificates to meet their legal obligation — real money and real CO₂ accounting hang on every registered kWh.
The Dutch Emissions Authority (NEa) therefore requires the charged energy to be measured in an assured way: traceable, accurate and tamper-proof. The internal consumption measurement that virtually every charger has does not qualify — it was never certified and can be influenced by the manufacturer or user. The MID meter is the standard that does provide that assurance, per individual charging point.
In short: the kWh figure in your charger app is informative; the kWh figure from the MID meter is evidence.
Does my charger have a MID meter?
Three ways to find out, from quick to thorough:
- Run the charger check. Pick brand and model, get an instant answer.
- Browse the overview of chargers with a MID meter. It lists per brand and model whether the meter is built in.
- Check the type plate or datasheet. Look for the M mark with a year, or the text "MID" / "2014/32/EU". The type plate is usually on the side or bottom of the charging station.
Beware of a common mix-up: an energy display or kWh tracking in the app does not mean there's a MID meter inside. Almost every modern charger shows consumption; only a certified meter counts.
No MID meter — now what?
If it turns out your model has no MID meter, you have three options:
- Accept that the ERE payout passes you by. A shame, since it quickly adds up to hundreds of euros a year.
- Have an external MID meter added by an installer. Whether such a setup meets the registration requirements differs per situation — verify before you invest.
- Replace your charger with a model that has the meter built in. At an average yearly payout, a new charger often pays for itself within a few years; run the numbers for your situation.
Buying a new charger? Treat the MID meter as a hard requirement — just like charging power or smart features. The overview shows which models qualify today.
Frequently asked questions
What does MID stand for?
MID stands for Measuring Instruments Directive, the European directive (2014/32/EU) for measuring instruments. A MID-certified kWh meter is factory-approved and tamper-proof, making its readings legally usable for billing and registration.
How do I see whether my charger has a MID meter?
Check the specifications or the type plate for an M mark with a year, or search the datasheet for 'MID' or '2014/32/EU'. Faster: run our charger check and select your brand and model.
Isn't the kWh display on my charger enough?
No. Many chargers measure consumption with an internal, uncertified measurement. For ERE registration only a meter approved under the MID directive counts.
Why does the NEa require a MID meter?
Every ERE represents a claimed CO₂ reduction that is traded for money. To rule out fraud and measurement errors, the NEa only accepts assured, traceable measurements — which is exactly what MID certification guarantees.
Ready to earn with your charger?
Create a free account — Revvolt handles NEa registration, the sale and the payout of your EREs.