ERE contracts explained: term, notice, exclusivity and corrections

Two ERE contracts with the same commission can work out very differently in practice. Contract term, notice period, exclusivity, corrections and payout frequency matter at least as much for what you keep net, and how flexible you stay, as the commission percentage itself. This article works through the key clauses one by one, with concrete examples from the market.

Why the commission isn’t the whole story

Providers typically withhold between 12% and 25% of the proceeds as commission, or work with a fixed annual fee or a guaranteed price per kWh instead. That percentage is the first thing people look at - understandably, since it directly affects earnings. But a low commission combined with a long lock-in, a reserve clause or a mandatory platform can end up less attractive overall than a slightly higher commission without those restrictions. Always compare the whole contract, not just the percentage.

Clause by clause: what to check

Clause	What to check	Example from the market
Contract term	How long you’re committed per contract period	Most providers use 12 months; Inboekdienst.nl uses 24 months; LaadBalans states a lower commission for a longer term in its terms (1, 3 or 5 years: 20% → 17% → 15%)
Notice period / lock-in	Whether you can leave early, and on what terms	Most providers state no lock-in; Inboekdienst.nl explicitly applies a 24-month lock-in
Exclusivity	Whether you must use a specific platform, app or back office	Laadnet requires your charge point to be connected to its own back office; Vattenfall requires its own app and a compatible charge point; 50five only works for charge points already connected to the 50five platform
Corrections / reserves	Whether the provider can withhold part of the proceeds pending verification	LaadBalans’s terms allow a reserve of up to 25% pending annual verification; LaadCash charges actual chain and platform costs plus a share of acquisition costs on top of its commission, capped at €3,000/year across the pool
Payout frequency	Quarterly, annual, or only after the EREs are sold	Stekker and Joulo pay quarterly; Laadbeloning and Xolvere pay annually; Lekkerladen and PowerD pay only after the sale
Cost	Commission, fixed fee or guaranteed price	Commissions range from 12% (Inboekdienst.nl) to 25% (Lekkerladen, PowerD); Groen-laden uses a fixed annual fee (€79.99, or €74.99 on a two-year contract); Vattenfall withholds 25% but guarantees a minimum of €0.05 per accepted kWh for 2026

Contract term and notice period in more detail

The market norm is a contract per calendar year, with automatic renewal unless you cancel in time. Inboekdienst.nl is an exception, applying an explicit 24-month lock-in in exchange for a low 12% commission. LaadBalans uses tiered terms: the longer you commit (1, 3 or 5 years), the lower the commission according to its own terms. That can be attractive if you plan to stay with the same provider for a long time, but it limits your flexibility if the market or your situation changes.

Exclusivity: when are you tied to a platform?

Some providers don’t operate standalone but as part of a broader charging service. Laadnet requires your charge point to be connected to its own back office; Vattenfall requires its own app and a compatible charge point; 50five only accepts charge points already connected to the 50five platform. That’s not a problem if you’re already a customer of theirs, but it does mean you can’t simply combine that provider’s ERE payment with a charging subscription elsewhere. Check this before you choose, not afterwards.

Corrections and reserves: the small print

Some providers temporarily withhold part of the proceeds, for example until an annual verification is complete. LaadBalans’s terms allow a reserve of up to 25%. LaadCash, on top of its 17% commission (falling to 13% after a number of years), passes on actual chain and platform costs plus a share of acquisition costs, capped at €3,000 per year across the whole pool of participants. That means the advertised commission percentage isn’t always the full deduction - explicitly ask about the difference between the advertised rate and the actual total deduction.

How to read this in practice

Ask every provider you’re considering for the full, current terms document, not just the summary on their website. At minimum, work through these questions: what is the contract term and notice period, does a lock-in apply, am I required to use a specific platform, can part of the proceeds be withheld or corrected, how often is payout made, and is the quoted percentage really the full deduction? Lay the answers side by side before you sign.

Always check the current terms and date

The examples in this article were checked around 10 September 2026 and illustrate how clauses can differ between providers. Terms, commissions and reserve rules change; they are not a current, exhaustive picture of every contract at every moment. For the latest position, always check the provider’s own terms page, or compare providers in our comparison, which shows a check date for each one.