What is EV Roaming?
Roaming, it’s a term anyone who uses a cell phone is familiar with. Imagine you’re taking a long awaited trip overseas. As you step off the plane, you turn on your phone and instantly, it switches to the local network.
You’re free to take calls, send texts, and surf the web, all without the added stress of having to purchase a new mobile contract. Sound convenient? Roaming for EV charging networks works almost the same way.
Whether you’re taking a cross-country road trip or driving across borders, EV roaming allows drivers to seamlessly charge up at stations belonging to different networks. Let’s take a closer look at how EV roaming works and what it means for your business.
How does EV Roaming Work?
Similar to mobile roaming networks, EV roaming is made possible through collaboration among EV charging service providers. This is enabled through Open Charge Point Interface (OCPI) protocol, custom API or roaming hubs like Hubject, Gireve and others. OCPI allows for connections between electric-mobility service providers (eMSPs) and charge point operators (CPOs).
Charging management platforms, like AMPECO, provide eMSPs and CPOs with the tools necessary to optimize their use of OCPI. Our platform connects eMSP customers to the CPO’s charging stations. Customers are given the convenience of locating, booking, and paying for charge point services all through the same app.
EV Roaming Structure
Put simply the structure of EV roaming networks can be broken down into three components:
Your internal EV charging network
AMPECO’s charging management system manages the connections between the CPO’s charging stations and the eMSPs using the network. This opens up the network to a wider number of drivers who can view and book charging stations.
External charging networks
Outside of your network is a large chain of other eMSPs, each with its own network of drivers.
The charging management platform
The centralized platform acts as the link between your network and the vast market of EV drivers. You can view the charging stations of AMPECO clients, or connect to hubs such as Hubject or Gireve, enabling you to view CPOs and MSPs of non-AMPECO clients.
EV Roaming Trends
Demand for electric vehicle infrastructure continues to grow both in size and complexity. As the number of EV drivers grow, service providers are being forced to adapt to the demands of their customers. Given that the market is still relatively new, service providers are experimenting with multiple roaming strategies.
Two main alternatives for EV roaming
Peer to peer (P2P) Contracts:
Many eMSPs choose to enter into bilateral agreements, allowing their drivers to use each other’s networks. This lets the service providers expand their networks while increasing revenue from new users.
Sounds nice, doesn’t it? Well, not so fast. This presents a major inconvenience to drivers as they constantly have to monitor trends in the industry. Even worse, drivers are still limited in the number of charging points they can use.
Should you still decide to set up your own EV roaming contracts, AMPECO can help you manage your contracts and process each roaming transaction.
Charging Management Platforms
Two of the main barriers preventing drivers from switching to EVs include concerns over autonomy and range. Charging Management Platforms, like AMPECO, tackle these issues through providing drivers with a selection of charging stations in a centralized app.
By using services like AMPECO, users are able to view and access multiple networks of EV charging stations in their area. Simply connect to hubs such as Hubject or Gireve and view thousands of charging stations worldwide through the touch of a button.
By centralizing charging station networks under a single customer account, charging hubs provide the convenience and flexibility demanded by drivers. Service providers avoid the high costs and complexity of operating bilateral, peer to peer agreements while still accomplishing the goal of providing more options for their users.
What does this mean for your customers?
In many ways, the current structure of EV charging is one of the main barriers preventing the mass adoption of electric vehicles. Intense competition and lack of common regulations are keeping roaming prices high.
This directly conflicts with drivers’ demands for a seamless charging experience. Just like their mobile counterparts before them, EV charging service providers must adapt to customer demands.
By opening up networks through charging management platforms, eMSPs and CPOs place drivers where they belong: in the driver’s seat. Let’s take a closer look at how AMPECO’s charging management platform allows you to optimize your customer experience:
Expanding choice
Drivers can view multiple charging locations through the touch of a button. With just a click, drivers know where local charging stations are located, their price, and their availability.
Transparency
No guessing or unpleasant surprises. Simply take a look at the listed price and the availability before driving up to the charging station.
Ease of use
From selecting a charging station, to charging up, to payment, everything is achievable through one system. No need to surf through multiple apps. Just enter payment information and go.
Opportunities for EV charging businesses
Expand your customer base
Why limit yourself to your existing customers? Your network and charging stations can be found and accessed by any app user. Expand your visibility and attract new customers through AMPECO’s platform.
Build customer loyalty
Driver not in your network? No problem. Drivers can pull up and use your charging stations without having to change networks.
Increased your charge point utilization
Maximize the revenue potential of your charging stations. By opening up your stations to a wider range of customers, more users can see and access your charging stations, increasing your utilization rate.
Multiply revenue streams
Set your pricing models and promote your charging locations to a wider audience with AMPECO’s roaming solutions.
How we can help
If you’re interested in leveraging the power of your network to deliver an incredible customer experience, AMPECO offers a number of roaming solutions customized to your business needs.
From optimizing charger maintenance costs, to managing payment systems, to delivering an outstanding branded system for your clients, AMPECO is committed to helping you get the most out of your charging network.
If you’re interested in learning more, set up a roaming consultation with us today. Our e-mobility experts will answer all your questions about EV charging software. We’ll discuss strategies to outline your EV charging strategy, growing your revenue, and limiting your risk.
The bottom line
With more and more electric vehicles hitting the road each day, now is the time for service providers to optimize their customer experience. The best charging systems allow drivers the flexibility to charge up anywhere.
EV roaming not only provides drivers with an effortless charging experience, it also allows service providers to attract new customers and expand their revenue streams. AMPECO’s EV charging platform, through harnessing the power of OCPI protocol, provides EV service providers with a fast and easy platform to connect to the biggest roaming hubs.
Effortlessly optimize connections between eMSPs and CPOs, manage your charging station networks, and customize the user experience to your brand. The EV roaming platform provides you with the flexibility to add charging stations to your network, create payment transaction systems, and monitor charging station status.
No matter what your organization’s EV needs are, AMPECO is here to help every step of the way. If you’d like to learn more about how AMPECO can help you optimize your charging network, set up a consultation with us.
