> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.chargeapi.co/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Create an Estimation

Creates a cost estimate for a proposed charging session. Provide the charging goal plus station and vehicle context to receive estimated energy, duration, and pricing.

<RequestExample>
  ```bash cURL theme={null}
  curl -X POST https://api.chargeapi.co/v1/estimations \
    -H "Authorization: Bearer ch_sk_test_..." \
    --json '{
    "battery_level": 28,
    "battery_target_level": 80,
    "charging_station": "chst_I0GVqyJwBI3Jwd4V6yIA009ZAgLOzTGm",
    "vehicle": "veh_f4zwAgxuAkNh6HHUDorkosY6md4BB7A2"
  }'
  ```
</RequestExample>

<ResponseExample>
  ```json Response theme={null}
  {
      "id": "est_ru6IqQbvO5jXuKqAAuVX7ZevKKCHKyAJ",
      "object": "estimation",
      "battery_level": 28,
      "battery_target_level": 80,
      "charging_station": "chst_I0GVqyJwBI3Jwd4V6yIA009ZAgLOzTGm",
      "cost_breakdown": [
          {
              "cost": 1542,
              "description": "Off-peak energy rate",
              "quantity": 18.25,
              "tax_percent": "20%",
              "type": "energy",
              "unit": "kWh",
              "unit_price": 85
          },
          {
              "cost": 300,
              "description": "Session fee",
              "quantity": null,
              "tax_percent": null,
              "type": "session_fee",
              "unit": null,
              "unit_price": null
          }
      ],
      "created": "2026-04-01T00:46:52.360Z",
      "currency": "eur",
      "estimated_duration": 3600,
      "estimated_energy_kwh": 18.25,
      "estimated_total_cost": 1842,
      "valid_until": "2026-04-01T01:46:42.724Z",
      "vehicle": "veh_f4zwAgxuAkNh6HHUDorkosY6md4BB7A2"
  }
  ```
</ResponseExample>

## Parameters

<ParamField body="battery_level" type="integer" required>
  Current battery level of the vehicle before charging, as a percentage (0-100).
</ParamField>

<ParamField body="battery_target_level" type="integer" required>
  Target battery level for this session, as a percentage (0-100).
</ParamField>

<ParamField body="charging_station" type="string" required>
  ID of the charging station being evaluated.
</ParamField>

<ParamField body="vehicle" type="string" required>
  ID of the vehicle to use for battery capacity and connector checks.
</ParamField>

## More parameters

<ParamField body="currency" type="string">
  Optional ISO 4217 currency code to override the station default.
</ParamField>

## Returns

Returns the created estimation.