The Charge Point Management System (CPMS) is the beating heart of all Charge Point Operator (CPO) and Electric Mobility Service Provider (eMSP) businesses. Whether you’re managing a network of public charging stations, offering workplace charging solutions, or residential charging solutions, your CPMS will largely determine how effectively you can operate, scale, and adapt to market demands.
Making the wrong choice in CPMS can have far-reaching consequences. Beyond the immediate challenges of launch delays or limited service offerings, an inadequate CPMS can restrict your ability to implement innovative pricing models, hinder your expansion into new markets, and limit your control over critical customer interactions. Many CPOs discover these limitations only after they’ve invested significant time and resources into implementation.
The 2025 Buyer’s Guide to Selecting an EV Charging Management Platform
Get detailed insights into conducting a thorough needs assessment, evaluating product and technology requirements, avoiding common pitfalls, and selecting the right CPMS partner for long-term success.
The right CPMS, on the other hand, serves as a strategic asset that can streamline operations, reduce the total cost of ownership, enhance the driver experience, and ultimately boost your revenue. It should not only address today’s operational challenges but also future-proof your business for tomorrow’s opportunities, whether that’s expanding into new charging use cases, entering different markets, or integrating with emerging technologies.
The capabilities of your CPMS will increasingly differentiate your service offering. That’s why we’ve compiled these ten essential questions to help you evaluate potential CPMS providers.
Here are ten essential questions to help you make this critical decision.
1. How scalable is your CPMS platform as we grow our business?
Why it matters: Scalability is fundamental to your business growth and long-term success. As your charging network expands, your CPMS must handle increased load without compromising performance or reliability. Poor scalability can restrict your ability to enter new markets, add locations quickly, or support high-traffic periods, directly impacting revenue potential and customer satisfaction.
What to look for: A modern cloud-based architecture (preferably hosted by AWS) designed for seamless scaling from hundreds to thousands of charging stations. The platform should demonstrate robust performance across multiple dimensions of growth: number of charge points, transaction volumes, concurrent users, and geographic reach. Look for capabilities that support international expansion, including multi-country operations, multi-currency handling, and region-specific tax management. The system should maintain consistent performance during usage spikes and high-demand periods. Evaluate their data management approach, including how they handle historical data growth while maintaining system responsiveness.
Scoring tip: Focus on providers with proven track records of supporting large-scale deployments and successful geographic expansion. Request specific examples of customers who have scaled significantly on their platform. Consider their largest current deployments and whether they align with your growth projections.
2. What’s your approach to hardware compatibility and how do you prevent vendor lock-in?
Why it matters: Hardware flexibility is crucial for building and expanding your charging network efficiently. Being locked into specific hardware vendors can lead to higher costs, limited expansion options, and an inability to take advantage of new charging technologies. A hardware-agnostic CPMS allows you to choose the best charging stations for each location and use case, upgrade hardware as needed, and maintain negotiating power with manufacturers.
What to look for: Comprehensive support for industry protocols, including OCPP for charge point communication, OCPI for roaming, OpenADR for demand response integration, and ISO 15118 for Plug&Charge capabilities. The platform should seamlessly integrate with any OCPP-compliant charger, whether AC or DC, regardless of manufacturer. Look for proven compatibility with various hardware types, including electricity meters, dynamic load management (DLM) devices, and payment terminals.
Scoring tip: Rate providers higher if they can demonstrate true hardware agnosticism through diverse hardware partnerships and successful multi-vendor deployments. Look for those who actively maintain protocol implementations and quickly adapt to new hardware technologies.
3. How extensive are your API capabilities for customization and third-party integration?
Why it matters: Your CPMS shouldn’t limit your ability to innovate or integrate with other business systems. Strong API capabilities enable you to create unique customer experiences, automate operations, and connect seamlessly with essential business tools. Without APIs, you may find yourself unable to implement custom features, integrate with preferred partners, or scale operations efficiently. This flexibility is particularly crucial as your business grows and requires more sophisticated integrations.
What to look for: Comprehensive API documentation, including clear API versioning and support policies, pre-built integrations with common services, including payment processors, CRM systems, and energy management platforms, and flexibility in connecting with third-party systems. The platform should support custom development and functionality enhancement.
Scoring tip: Evaluate providers based on API completeness, documentation quality, and developer support resources. Look for providers who treat their API as a core part of their offering rather than an afterthought.
4. How flexible is your platform in adapting to different markets, regulations, and use cases?
Why it matters: In the rapidly evolving EV charging market, your ability to adapt to new opportunities and requirements is crucial for success. Each market has unique regulatory requirements, tax structures, and customer expectations. Without platform flexibility, you risk being unable to enter new markets, serve different charging use cases, or respond to regulatory changes quickly. This flexibility directly impacts your ability to scale and diversify your business.
What to look for: The platform should offer comprehensive support for multiple markets, including multi-currency and multi-tax (VAT) setups. Look for the ability to customize pricing structures, user interfaces, and operational workflows for different regions and use cases. The system should handle various charging scenarios (public, private, fleet, workplace) from a single platform. Ensure support for local payment methods, regional compliance requirements, and market-specific integrations. The platform should allow you to run multi-country business operations from one backend while maintaining regional customization.
Scoring tip: Prioritize vendors with proven track records of supporting diverse market requirements and multiple use cases. Higher scores for those who can demonstrate successful customer deployments across different regions and regulatory environments.
5. What’s your strategy for ongoing platform development and how do you incorporate customer input?
Why it matters: Your CPMS needs to evolve alongside your business and industry requirements. A provider’s development strategy and responsiveness to customer needs directly impact your ability to innovate and stay competitive. Without a clear product roadmap and customer feedback mechanisms, you risk being stuck with outdated functionality that doesn’t meet your evolving business needs.
What to look for: Regular and seamless software release cycles that don’t disrupt operations. Clear visibility into planned features and improvements. Formal processes for gathering and incorporating customer feedback into product development. Evidence of responsive development – how quickly they adapt to new market requirements or customer requests. Look for a balance between maintaining current functionality and developing new features.
Scoring tip: Favor providers who can demonstrate a history of consistent platform improvements with transparent development processes and regular communication about updates. Look for evidence of proactive development that anticipates market needs.
6. What level of control do we have over our data and business relationships?
Why it matters: Your CPMS provider should enable your business growth, not restrict it. True business control means having the freedom to manage your network, partnerships, and data independently. Maintaining autonomy over your business relationships and data is crucial for adapting your business model, entering new markets, and staying competitive.
What to look for: Clear data ownership policies and the ability to manage your own relationships with payment service providers (PSPs), hardware vendors, and roaming partners. Freedom to export your data at any time and use it as you see fit. No restrictions on working with third-party providers or expanding your partner network. The ability to independently manage B2B partnerships and site host relationships, including revenue-sharing agreements and settlement reports. Look for providers that allow you to maintain direct relationships with your partners rather than acting as intermediaries.
Scoring tip: Prioritize vendors that position themselves as enablers rather than gatekeepers. Higher scores for those offering complete data portability, freedom in partner selection, and no restrictive partnership requirements.
7. What security measures do you have in place to protect data and ensure compliance?
Why it matters: Your CPMS handles sensitive operational data, payment information, and customer details, so robust security is non-negotiable. Data breaches can devastate customer trust and brand reputation, while non-compliance with regulations like GDPR can result in significant penalties.
What to look for: Comprehensive security infrastructure, including data encryption at rest and in transit, multi-factor authentication (MFA), and role-based access control with dynamic permissions. Strong password policies and regular security audits. Industry-standard certifications (ISO 27001, SOC 2) demonstrating commitment to security best practices. GDPR compliance mechanisms, including data privacy controls and user consent management. Clear security incident response procedures and regular system monitoring. Audit logs for tracking all system activities and changes. Single Sign-On (SSO) capabilities for enhanced access security.
Scoring tip: Evaluate vendors based on the depth and breadth of their security measures. Higher scores for those with relevant security certifications and demonstrated compliance with international standards. Consider their track record in handling security incidents and their transparency about security practices.
8. How do you support onboarding and training?
Why it matters: The initial implementation phase is critical for your business launch. A comprehensive onboarding process minimizes deployment time and ensures a smooth transition. Without proper training and setup support, you risk delays in market entry and underutilization of platform capabilities.
What to look for: Dedicated onboarding teams, ideally multilingual, who can guide you through initial setup. Look for comprehensive training programs that cover both technical and operational aspects. The provider should offer specialized consultants for different areas (hardware integration, technical architecture, product features, and policy compliance). There should be extensive documentation, training materials, and clear implementation milestones.
Scoring tip: Evaluate providers based on the structure of their onboarding program, quality of training materials, and availability of specialized expertise during implementation. Higher scores for those offering customized training paths for different user roles within your organization.
9. What ongoing support and maintenance services do you offer post-implementation?
Why it matters: Your CPMS is a long-term strategic partnership, not just a one-time software purchase. As your business grows and evolves, you’ll need consistent, reliable support for everything from routine maintenance to complex technical challenges. Quick resolution of issues is crucial for maintaining network uptime and customer satisfaction.
What to look for: 24/7 technical support availability through multiple channels (phone, email, chat). Clear Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for response times and issue resolution. Regular maintenance schedules and proactive system monitoring. Access to ongoing technical consultation for network optimization and expansion. A robust ticketing system for issue tracking and a knowledge base for self-service support. Regular platform updates and clear communication about maintenance windows.
Scoring tip: Prioritize vendors offering comprehensive support packages with clear SLAs. Higher scores for those demonstrating proactive maintenance approaches and providing access to senior technical resources for complex issues. Consider their track record in supporting businesses similar to yours in scale and complexity.
10. What is your pricing model and how does it change as our business expands?
Why it matters: Transaction fees that seem minor initially can significantly impact your profitability as you scale. Your pricing model needs to support growth rather than penalize it. Understanding the total cost of ownership is crucial for accurate business planning and long-term financial sustainability.
What to look for: The provider should clearly outline all costs, including base platform fees, per-charger costs, integration expenses, maintenance fees, support package options, training costs, and any volume-based charges. Be particularly vigilant about pricing models that take a percentage of charging revenue or per-kWh fees, as these can substantially impact profitability at scale.
Scoring tip: Assign the highest scores to vendors offering transparent, flat-rate pricing models. Evaluate how the pricing model scales with your business growth projections. Consider the total cost of ownership over a 3-5-year period, including all additional services and scaling costs.
Final thoughts on choosing your CPMS
Selecting the right CPMS is a strategic decision that will significantly impact your business’s success in the evolving EV charging market. Use these questions to thoroughly evaluate potential providers, ensuring they can support your current needs and future growth plans. Remember, you’re not just choosing a software solution—you’re selecting a strategic partner for your business’s future.
The Complete CPMS Buyer’s Guide 2025
Ready to make an informed CPMS provider decision? Download our comprehensive 45-page CPMS Buyer’s Guide for an in-depth evaluation framework and detailed checklists to help you select the perfect EV charging management platform for your business needs.
