All you need to know about EV charge point management

What is EV charge point management?

EV charge point management refers to the system and processes that are used to operate EV charging stations. It involves using a software platform that allows charge point owners and charge point operators (CPOs) to monitor charging stations, control energy usage, manage payments and ensure EVs are charged efficiently. A charge management platform also helps charge point operators identify issues and send remote updates for optimal operation.

A good charge point management platform ensures seamless, efficient and reliable charging for EV drivers, and easier and optimal operation for CPOs.

Who needs an EV charge management platform?

An EV charge management platform suits a wide range of users involved in charging infrastructure. These include:

Retail and hospitality owners

Businesses running public chargers that need to manage multiple sites, monitor performance, handle payments and provide support at their establishments.

Fleet operators

Companies with EV fleets that manage large numbers of vehicles, sessions, scheduling and energy use.

Employers

Businesses that offer on-site charging for employees, needing to manage access, energy and reimbursements for employees charging at work, at home and on the go.

Real estate and parking developers

Property owners and agents who want to boost their property’s value with a seamless platform.

Homeowners associations

Property managers overseeing shared chargers at residential buildings, with controlled access and billing for tenants.

Municipalities

Public entities who provide public charging, needing tools for monitoring, automated billing, maintenance and regulation compliance.

Car leasing companies

Companies who want to unlock an efficient, secure and reliable charge experience for their lease drivers.

Why is EV charge management important?

EV charge management is important as it offers a seamless experience for EV drivers and CPOs.

Benefits include:

Increased visibility

Any publicly available charge points will be found on Google Maps, Apple Maps and charging apps, enabling you to increase your visibility, attract new customers and grow your revenue.

Optimised efficiency

Charge management systems streamline energy use and enhance charging station performance, lowering operational costs and minimizing grid pressure.

Increased convenience

The platform enables easier charging for drivers by giving real-time updates on station availability, seamless payment options and in some cases, 24/7 support.

Enhanced scalability

As the EV market expands, charge management platforms make it easier to grow networks, enabling operators to scale their infrastructure smoothly.

Efficient billing

Automated billing saves time and increases reliability.

Reduced costs

Load balancing and smart charging during off-peak hours can reduce charging expenses.

Minimal downtime

Real-time monitoring and remote troubleshooting minimise downtime, ensuring charging stations are available and operational when needed.

What are the challenges of EV charge management?

The following are some of the difficulties facing CPOs:

Net congestion

Managing high energy demand, especially in peak time, is difficult. Without proper load balancing, multiple fast chargers can overload the local grid.

Interoperability issues

Achieving seamless integration between various charging stations, software systems and payment methods across different networks can be complicated.

High costs

Installing and maintaining EV chargers, particularly DC fast chargers, requires significant financial investment, which can be an obstacle for smaller operators.

Cybersecurity risks

Charging systems are increasingly vulnerable to hacking and data breaches, posing risks to both operators and users.

Managing multiple locations

As EV usage grows, efficiently managing a vast network of charging stations across multiple locations can be complex.

Regulatory and compliance issues

CPOs need to adhere to regulatory requirements, which can be time consuming and difficult.

Learn more about charge point management [here.]

(/en/products/charge-point-management)

What must I consider when choosing an EV charge management platform?

When choosing a charge point management system, these are the key features you should consider:

Automated invoicing and reimbursements

You don’t want you or your colleagues to spend time and hassle with manual invoicing and reimbursements. A good platform will ensure seamless billing and settlement of all employees’ charge sessions - whether at home or on the go.

24/7 support for drivers

Don’t underestimate how crucial customer service can be for drivers if they experience any tech or charging difficulty. After all, you don’t want to get a phone call in the middle of the night if a driver needs support at your site.

Access control

A platform that enables public charging is useful if you either want to generate revenue, or simply make it more convenient for visitors at your workplace.

Tariff setting

You’ll want the flexibility to be able to set individual tariffs for different segments, for example employees and visitors.

Compatibility

Choose a system that supports open standards like OCPP and OCPI to ensure interoperability across different networks and devices.

Hardware agnostic

New chargers differ from older charger technology, and when combined with hundreds of different models and manufacturers, integration can be tricky. Your chosen platform has to be flexible and support different brands and terminals.

Proven reliable uptime

Any downtime of charge points can disrupt operations, whether it's due to technical issues, maintenance or power outages. It is crucial that charge points are always available when needed.

Data security

The software needs to offer iron-clad data security by combining secure architectural principles, information integrity safeguards, and a GDPR-compliant design.

Smart charging management

Look for a platform that has smart energy management features such as static and dynamic load balancing, and vehicle grid integration capabilities to manage consumption and save costs.

Roaming support

Drivers want to be able to charge anywhere with their charge cards. Roaming agreements need to be in place to make this simple and seamless, no matter what payment type is used.

Scalability

Ensure the system can scale with your network’s growth, supporting an increasing number of charge points and users.

Ease of use

The interface should be user-friendly for both operators and drivers. A seamless app experience can improve customer satisfaction.

AFIR compliance

All charge point operators in Europe need to comply with the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) payment requirements, which mandates full pricing transparency and common payment options at all public charge points.

Features

Look for key features like real-time monitoring, load balancing, smart charging capabilities and remote troubleshooting.