As Germany accelerates its transition toward electric mobility, commercial property owners are facing a new challenge: providing reliable EV charging while complying with increasingly strict energy metering and billing requirements.

For a regional supermarket chain in Munich, Germany, the growing number of EV-driving customers created a clear opportunity. Management wanted to enhance customer experience, increase parking lot utilization, and support sustainability goals by offering public EV charging services. However, the project also needed to meet local billing requirements and avoid expensive upgrades to the site’s electrical infrastructure.

After evaluating multiple charging solutions, the company selected the Penoda PDA40 40kW CCS2 DC Fast Charger, equipped with a MID-certified energy meter and intelligent Dynamic Load Balancing (DLB) technology.

Why MID Certification Matters for Commercial EV Charging

As public EV charging becomes more common across Europe, accurate energy measurement is no longer optional. Businesses that charge customers based on electricity consumption must ensure that energy usage is measured transparently and consistently.

For the supermarket operator, installing a charger with a MID-certified meter offered several advantages:

• Accurate and transparent energy billing

• Increased customer confidence

• Better preparation for future regulatory requirements

• Professional charging services suitable for public use

By choosing a charging solution designed for European compliance, the operator could focus on expanding charging services without worrying about future metering concerns.

The Challenge: Growing EV Demand, Limited Electrical Capacity

Like many commercial sites, the supermarket already relied heavily on its electrical infrastructure.

Daily power consumption came from:

• Refrigeration systems

• HVAC equipment

• Indoor and outdoor lighting

• Security systems

• Retail operations

Adding multiple DC fast chargers risked exceeding available power capacity, potentially requiring a transformer upgrade or additional utility connection.

Such upgrades would significantly increase project costs and extend installation timelines.

The operator needed a solution that could work within existing infrastructure while still delivering a high-quality charging experience.

Dynamic Load Balancing Eliminated the Need for Costly Upgrades

One of the main reasons the supermarket selected the Penoda PDA40 was its built-in Dynamic Load Balancing (DLB) system.

Rather than operating at maximum power continuously, the charger intelligently monitors the building’s total electricity consumption in real time.

When supermarket energy demand increases during busy hours, charging output is automatically adjusted to maintain system stability. When building demand decreases, charging power is restored to maximize charging performance.

This intelligent energy management approach delivered several key benefits:

Reduced Installation Costs

The site avoided expensive transformer upgrades and electrical reconstruction.

Improved Energy Efficiency

Available power was distributed more effectively across the facility.

Lower Peak Demand Charges

The system helped prevent unnecessary spikes in electricity consumption.

Future Scalability

Additional charging points can be added more easily as EV adoption continues to grow.

For the supermarket operator, DLB transformed what could have been a major infrastructure project into a cost-effective charging deployment.

Why the Penoda PDA40 Was the Right Choice

Many businesses assume higher charging power always leads to better results. However, customer behavior often tells a different story.

At supermarkets, customers typically remain parked for 30 to 90 minutes. During this time, a 40kW DC charger provides a practical balance between charging speed and infrastructure investment.

The Penoda PDA40 allows drivers to add meaningful driving range during a normal shopping visit while keeping installation and operating costs under control.

Additional advantages include:

• Compact footprint for parking lot installations

• CCS2 connector compatibility for European EVs

• OCPP support for remote management platforms

• Reliable commercial-grade construction

• Easy integration into existing parking facilities

Results After Deployment

Within months of installation, the supermarket reported measurable improvements.

EV drivers increasingly selected the location because of the available charging services. Customers spent more time on-site while their vehicles charged, leading to increased store engagement.

At the same time, the operator successfully avoided costly grid upgrades thanks to Dynamic Load Balancing technology.

Most importantly, the charging stations created a new revenue opportunity while reinforcing the company’s commitment to sustainability and customer convenience.

Building Future-Ready Charging Infrastructure with Penoda

As Germany continues expanding its EV charging network, commercial property owners need charging solutions that deliver more than just power.

They need compliance, efficiency, scalability, and long-term reliability.

The Penoda PDA40 40kW CCS2 DC Fast Charger combines MID-certified energy metering, Dynamic Load Balancing technology, OCPP connectivity, and internationally recognized CE, IEC, and ISO certifications into a single commercial charging solution.

Whether deployed in supermarkets, hotels, shopping centers, workplace parking facilities, or public parking lots, the PDA40 helps businesses prepare for the future of electric mobility while maximizing return on investment.

For commercial operators looking to deploy reliable EV charging infrastructure in Germany and across Europe, Penoda provides a smarter path toward sustainable growth.