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In a recent study, the CREG warns about an oversupply of solar power, especially on sunny days. This means there’s a lot of cheap electricity available during peak solar production times. Perfect timing, then, to plug in your electric company car at home. You pay less while also helping to relieve the electrical grid: that’s a real win-win!

Making use of surplus solar energy

During periods of low demand and high solar production, there’s an excess of cheap electricity that puts pressure on the grid. The CREG emphasizes that flexibility in energy consumption is essential. By charging during the day, you as a home worker can take full advantage of this cheaper energy and at the same time reduce the load on the grid. With a dynamic energy contract, this can even lead to reimbursements.

Smart charging times and cost savings

Where traditionally night-time charging is the norm, charging during the day can be more financially advantageous. With a dynamic energy contract, you benefit from low rates during periods of solar energy surplus. This can even result in reimbursements, saving you even more. By aligning your charging behavior with the supply of renewable energy, you not only reduce your costs but also contribute to a more efficient energy system.

Ecological benefits

Charging during the day means making greater use of renewable energy and being less dependent on fossil fuels. This helps reduce CO₂ emissions and contributes to more sustainable energy consumption. For companies with electric vehicles, this is also an opportunity to shrink their ecological footprint and project a green image to clients and partners.

Blossom: smart home charging and energy management

At Blossom, we develop smart charging solutions to help you optimize your energy consumption.  

• Integration with dynamic energy rates: Our system charges when electricity prices are at their lowest, leading to cost savings and less strain on the grid.
• Coupling with solar panels: Have solar panels? Blossom maximizes the use of your own solar power to charge your vehicle, thereby lowering your grid consumption and costs.
• Insight into energy consumption: Our software provides real-time insight into your energy production and consumption, enabling you to charge intelligently and use other devices efficiently.
• Compatibility with various charging solutions: Our technology works with different charging stations, allowing you to switch to smart charging without modifications to your setup.

Charging during the day is saving money, going greener, and keeping the grid healthy. With Blossom, you have all the tools in hand to smartly align your charging strategy with the sun. Just plug in, and we’ll take care of the rest.

When installing or migrating a charging station, you might hear about the P1 port. But what exactly is this mysterious port, and why is it so important to keep it open? No worries—we’ll explain it in simple terms.

What is the P1 port?

The P1 port is a special connection on your digital meter. Think of it as a small gateway that allows your charging station (or other smart devices) to communicate with your meter. This enables your charger to know exactly how much power is available and charge in the most efficient way.

Why should the P1 port be open?

Simple: without an open P1 port, your charging station cannot receive real-time data about your energy consumption. This means it operates "blindly" and cannot optimize charging based on your energy usage. This can lead to issues such as:

• Less smart charging – Your charger cannot anticipate peaks and dips in your energy consumption.
• Risk of overload – Without this data, your charger doesn’t know how much electricity other appliances in your home are using, which can cause problems.
• Inefficient use of solar energy – Do you have solar panels? Then your charger won’t be able to detect when free solar energy is available. A missed opportunity!

How to open your P1 port?

Good news: it’s usually very simple. With most grid operators (such as Fluvius in Belgium), you can activate the P1 port through their online customer portal. Just log in, enable the P1 port, and you’re good to go!

Want to be sure everything is working correctly?
We’ve created a handy step-by-step guide in our FAQ to help you get the most out of your charging station and digital meter.

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The electric revolution is in full swing. More and more companies are offering their employees electric company cars as part of their sustainability strategy. But this transition also raises new questions: How does home charging work? And what are the tax implications? A recent circular from the Belgian Federal Public Service for Finance (2024/C/77) provides answers. At the same time, Blossom demonstrates how companies can seamlessly integrate this into their policies.

A look at the tax guidelines

Imagine an employee charging their electric company car at home. Who pays for the electricity? And what does that mean from a tax perspective? This is exactly what the circular clarifies. A distinction is made between electricity supplied directly by the employer and electricity paid for by the employee and reimbursed afterward.

In the case of direct supply, for example, through a charging card or a charging station at the office, the costs fall under the fixed taxable benefit of the company car. However, if an employee initially pays for the electricity costs themselves, the reimbursement is considered a separate taxable benefit—unless it concerns professional travel expenses. For commuting, employers can reimburse part of the cost tax-free, up to a maximum of €490 per year in 2025. Private kilometers, however, remain taxable.

The circular also provides a special exemption to facilitate the transition to electric driving. If a charging station is equipped with a system that accurately records the electricity used for the company car, the employer may reimburse these costs without additional taxation. A fixed rate per kWh, known as the CREG tariff, can even be used, simplifying administration as long as the rules are followed.

Practice: simplicity versus complexity

While the circular provides clarity, practical challenges remain. How do you accurately register the company car’s consumption? How do you ensure that employees are not taxed on their charging costs? And how do you keep the entire process transparent and fair? This is where technology and smart solutions become essential.

Blossom addresses these challenges by offering companies comprehensive charging solutions that not only comply with tax requirements but are also practical, user-friendly, and future-proof.

Blossom: bridging the gap between regulations and ease of use

At Blossom, simplicity is key. Our goal is to relieve companies and their employees of both technical and administrative burdens. We start with a high-quality home charging solution: reliable chargers designed with the whole family in mind. An employee can charge their company car, while other family members can use the charger for their private vehicles. The smart system automatically records the electricity used for the company car.

But Blossom goes even further. Thanks to our Fleet Dashboard, employers have real-time insight into each employee’s consumption. This allows for effortless reimbursements based on the CREG tariff. Additionally, all our home chargers are equipped with MID-certified meters, ensuring the highest standards of measurement accuracy. This guarantees that every kilowatt-hour charged is correctly recorded.

By combining technology with tax expertise, Blossom perfectly aligns with the requirements of the circular. Reimbursements are processed smoothly, with no surprises for employers or employees. The result? Less administrative hassle, happier employees, and a company ready for the future.

A step forward in sustainability

The transition to electric driving is more than just a technical adjustment; it’s a step towards a more sustainable world. With solutions like those from Blossom, this transition becomes simpler, more feasible, and more attractive—not only for employers looking to become more sustainable but also for employees who want to switch to electric driving worry-free.

Blossom proves that the future of mobility can be green, smart, and user-friendly. Curious about how we can support your company? We’re ready to help you build an electric mobility policy that works for everyone.

Want to learn more? Check out the circular here: MyMinfin

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At Blossom, we believe that managing an electric fleet can be easier and smarter. That’s why we offer fleet managers an intuitive and reliable platform to effortlessly manage home chargers, charging cards and associated costs. No unnecessary complexity – just all the support you need to transition smoothly to a modern, sustainable fleet.

From invitation to installation
The Blossom platform starts by inviting employees who need a home charger or charging card. This process is completed in a few simple steps:

• The fleet manager enters the employee’s email address and they receive an invitation.
• The employee is guided to request their charging card and/or home charger on the platform.
• We arrange the installation appointment.
• The fleet manager can track each employee’s progress through the installation process.

This approach ensures a streamlined onboarding experience while keeping the process simple and transparent.

Full visibility and control
Once the home charger is installed and the employee is fully ‘on board’, Blossom provides a detailed overview of all charging sessions, costs and any reimbursements. This gives fleet managers the insights they need to effectively monitor and manage energy consumption and associated costs. Clear reports and a user-friendly interface make it easy to optimise charging costs and fleet usage efficiently.

Discover how Blossom makes fleet management easier
From onboarding and installation to managing charging sessions and costs, Blossom’s easy-to-use solution saves fleet managers significant time and effort throughout the entire process. Whether you’re setting up a new electric fleet or optimizing an existing one, we’re here to help.

Curious about how we can improve your fleet management?
Contact us and see for yourself!

Together, we can make electric driving easy and worry-free.

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At Blossom, we love simplicity, efficiency, and smart technology. Your charging card is the key to hassle-free charging, but how do you keep it in top shape? A few smart habits can help prevent damage and ensure you can hit the road worry-free.

How does your charging card actually work?

Inside your card, a small antenna and an RFID chip draw power from the charging station’s signal.
This signal activates the chip, which then sends a unique code: “It’s me, and this is my key.” Once the charging station recognizes your key, charging begins. No batteries are required. The system is lightning fast and super energy efficient.

But because the antenna and chip are delicate, it’s important to handle your card with care. Here are the biggest pitfalls and how to avoid them.

Biggest mistake: Leaving your card in “the storage compartment”

Many drivers leave their charging card in the car’s storage compartment, right next to their wirelessly charging phone. Big mistake! Wireless charging creates an electromagnetic field that can damage your card’s antenna. This is one of the most common reasons charging cards stop working.

Other risks to your charging card

1. Physical damage: Your card isn’t designed to be bent or scratched. Store it in a secure place, such as a sturdy cardholder.
2. Heat and moisture: Avoid extremes of temperature and humidity. Don’t leave your card in a hot car or expose it to water.
3. Magnetic fields: Strong magnets can interfere with your card. Keep it away from magnetic clips or speakers.

Blossom’s tips for a happy charging card

• Keep it away from your phone: Never place your card near a wireless charger or in the same pocket as your phone. Use a dedicated cardholder instead.
• Give it a permanent home: Keep your card safely secure in a wallet or holder to prevent accidental damage.
• Keep it clean: Wipe it with a soft cloth to remove dust and grease.
• Protect it from the elements: Keep it dry and away from extreme heat.

What if your card stops working?

No worries! If your card stops working, just let us know. We’ll get you a new one in no time. Of course, prevention is always better than cure.

Charge with confidence, the Blossom way

At Blossom, we make things simple and seamless. Taking good care of your charging card will help you avoid unnecessary hassle and keep your charging experience as smooth as the rest of our solutions. Store it wisely and make sure you’re always powered up and ready to go.

Let’s keep it simple, smart, and seamless – just the way you like it!

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