Electric Vehicle Service Providers (EVSP) can be described as an entity which offers end-to-end EV charging services. EVSPs are responsible for both the operation of the charge points and the amelioration of the EV driver’s experience.
Electric Vehicle Service Providers have under their supervision the IT systems and everything else that ensures the stability and smooth function of EV charging networks.
For instance, ESVPs monitor the energy management system as well as any other type of EV charging operations which have an influence on the stability of the grid and the way energy flows from and to the charge point.
At the same time, an Electric Vehicle Service Provider is also interested in the experience which EV drivers get when they choose to charge their electric car in charging stations operated by the EVSP.
EVSPs deliver multiple EV charging solutions in an effort to satisfy the diverse needs of EV drivers. That can be home charging solutions, charging on the go, workplace or residential charging, fleet depot charging, etc.
What should Electric Vehicle Service Providers focus on?
Due to the holistic nature of their mission, Electric Vehicle Service Providers should take into consideration a number of factors. In particular:
Network stability
Building a stable network of charge points which is available 24/7 is the top priority for every Electric Vehicle Service Provider.
EVSPs should always have full overview of the status of their charge points and be able to fix any problems the moment they arise.
Automation and self-healing technologies are their most valuble ally in this effort, as they give them the option to remotely address software problems, reduce onsite maintenance needs and all in all minimise downtime.
Such a proactive approach towards issue resolution can empower the driver experience and increase customer satisfaction.
Scalable EV charging infrastructure
Electric vehicles have taken the market by storm and they are here to stay.
However, this rapid development of the sector means that the EV charging infrastructure is in need of constant expansion, as well.
An Electric Vehicle Service Provider should always keep this in mind when developing their business. That being said, it is highly recommended that ESVPs invest in scalable EV charging infrastructure so that they are in position to deal with the continuous increase of demand.
User-friendly service solutions
Another area where EVSPs should invest in is the delivery of easy-to-use and reliable self-service tools to EV drivers.
In other words, an EVSP should be in position to support drivers in every single step of their charging experience with the help of a customer-centric digital solution.
Drivers should be able to use the self-service tool to complete a vast array of actions such as getting a real-time overview of the available charging stations on their path, reserving a charge point, commencing a charging session, managing payments and, of course, reporting an issue that might appear.
Protocol compliance
As the EV charging industry expands, EVSPs need to navigate complex operation protocols (e.g. OCPP, ISO 15118, IEC 63110, etc).
By adhering to those standards, an Electric Vehicle Service Provider ensures the seamless connection between charge points and software tools across the entire EV ecosystem. This focus on interoperability makes the EV charging experience smoother and user-friendly.
Limitless connectivity
When it comes to EV charging, connectivity is key. Regardless of where they are, EV drivers should have the option to charge their car. For that to happen, it is important that the Electric Vehicle Service Provider has invested in EV roaming (also known as e-roaming).
In that way, drivers will be able to charge their vehicles in charge points outside of the EV charging network they are subscribed to without extra costs or other issues. Limitless connectivity is an integral part of enhancing the driver’s charging experience.
Agile EV billing
EV industry’s global reach makes agile biling a priority for all EVSPs. The support of different billing models is a necessity, given the plethora of customer needs an EVSP has to satisfy.
This billing versatility can take a number of forms, the most common of which we have listed right below:
- pre-pay vs. post-pay
- support of different currencies
- flexible EV tariffs and tax incentives
- compliance to local regulations
- payment reconciliation (roaming)
Learn more: Payment options and invoicing for EV charging
How can EVSPs increase the efficiency of their business
By now, it is already clear that successful EVSPs have continuously many different balls on the air. How they tackle the various issues that come in their way can really “make or break” their EV charging business.
Here are some of the areas they need to focus to increase efficiency and future-proof their investment:
Timely maintenance and issue-resolution
The EV charging industry relies both in hardware and software solutions. For that reason, EVSPs have no room for getting lazy with maintenance and issue resolution.
They should always be one step ahead of their customers, ensuring that everything works as it is intended to.
Automation can make a difference here, as it provides EVSPs with the overview they need in order to solve problems as soon as they emerge.
Smart power management
As the demand for EV charge points increases, power management is a topic that attracts more and more attention.
Finding alternative ways to ensure the stability of the grid is of paramount importance for keeping the energy cost low and the driver satisfaction high.
Renewable energy sources (e.g. solar energy) can be a game-changer here. They can help EVSPs increase their energy storage, making electricity cheaper during peak hours.
Billing as a ticket to growth
We analysed above the value of agile EV billing for customer satisfaction. If used correctly, billing can help EVSPs improve their business model, as well.
An end-to-end billing process will allow you to gain a measurable overview of the actual needs of your customers and adjust your growth journey accordingly.
Bidirectional EV charging
Turning the electric cars which are connected to your grid into flexible resources of energy can benefit both you and your customers.
Especially in the case of residential buildings, workplaces and fleet depots, energy cost can be significantly reduced by making use of bidirectional EV charging.
Give control to the customer
Providing your customers with self-service tools can bring operational costs down and accelerate the charging process as a whole.
Higher efficiency and stronger customer control will eventually also mean an improved customer experience.
What is the difference between an EVSP, a CPO and an EMSP?
The EV industry is full of acronyms and technical terms. In that sense, it is no surprise that there is often a lot of confusion around EVSPs and their connection to Charge Points Operators (CPOs) and E-Mobility Service Providers (EMSPs).
To make things easier, we shortly present below the difference between a CPO, an EMSP and an EVSP:
What is a CPO?
A CPO (also known as Charge Point Operator) is the one who is responsible for the installation and management of the charging infrastructure connected to the grid.
That can be both private and public charging stations, and they often stand for hardware as well as software management.
What is an EMSP?
An EMSP (E-Mobility Service Provider) is a company or an entity which is mainly focusing on making the charging process as simple and customer-friendly as possible. They typically prioritise two things:
- the connection of their drivers with a large charge point network.
- the standardisation of EV charging transactions and the EV charging experience in general.
To make that happen, they normally rely on an app through which they can get in touch with their customers, share personalised tips and recommendations and allow them to manage payments.
How a CPO and an EMSP relate to an EVSP?
Both a CPO and an EMSP are vital for the success of an EVSP. They are two of the main pillars that support the success of an Electric Vehicle Service Provider.
Furthermore, an EVSP may also function as a CPO and/or an EMSP if necessary.
