What is it?
The Price Simulator is a tool that enables providers to verify their tariffs by modeling different charging scenarios. It allows administrators to input specific session parameters, such as time, energy, and token details to generate a calculated cost breakdown without performing an actual charging session.
Who is it for?
This feature is designed for Provider Admins who need to manage and verify pricing logic (feature not available to end-customers).
Key Benefits
Verification: Ensure tariffs are configured and applied as intended, particularly when multiple overlapping tariffs or restrictions apply.
Cost estimation: Estimate charging costs for specific scenarios.
Troubleshooting: Verify that specific tariffs for customer groups or Access Groups are working as expected.
Transparency: View a clear breakdown of different pricing components (e.g., energy, time, idle fees) contributing to the total cost.
How It Works
Access the Price Simulator: The simulator is accessible via the Actions menu under an individual charging station. Note that the tool is only available when a tariff or charging policy is configured for that charger.
Define Parameters: The user manually sets the session inputs, such as the start time, energy consumed, and duration.
Run Simulation: The system calculates the price based on the configured tariff elements, validity periods, and restrictions.
View Results: The output displays a detailed breakdown, including:
Total cost (excluding and including VAT).
Specific tariff elements applied (Session fee, Energy, Time, Idle fee, Surcharges).
Labels indicating which rates or restrictions were applied (e.g., "Rate from 18:00-22:00").
Configuration & Settings
The Price Simulator allows for precise inputs to test various conditions.
Input Fields
Session Start DateTime: Defaults to the current date/time. You can set this to the past or future to test validity periods (only applies to charging policies).
Energy Consumed (kWh): The total energy the user is expected to consume.
Charging duration: The specific time the vehicle is actively charging. Time-based fees will apply to this period.
Idle Duration: The total time the vehicle is connected but not charging, and suspended. The Idle fee will be applied to the period (if applicable)
Token UID (optional):
Default behaviour: If left blank, the simulator assumes default pricing applies.
Testing custom pricing: By entering a Token UID, you can verify if a specific tariff for a customer group or access group is executing as configured. This tests both access permissions and the applicable price.
Example Use Cases
Verifying "Time of Use" Tariffs
Scenario: A tariff has a higher rate between 18:00 and 08:00.
Action: Set the Session Start DateTime to 19:00 and run a simulation.
Result: The breakdown should clearly show the specific rate label (e.g., "Night Tariff") applied to that period.
Testing Access Group Pricing
Scenario: Employees receive a discounted rate.
Action: Enter the Token UID of an Employee and run the simulation.
Result: The simulator calculates the cost based on the specific tariff associated with that User/Token, rather than the public rate.
Simulating Multi-Day Sessions
Scenario: A car is plugged in overnight, spanning two different days.
Action: Set a long total duration that crosses midnight.
Result: The simulator splits the session and applies the correct pricing for each portion based on the day it occurs.
Limitations & Considerations
VAT Calculation: VAT is derived from the location settings; the simulator calculates Total Cost Excl. and Incl. VAT based on this logic.