What is the right EV charging Access method for you?

There are multiple ways to charge an electric vehicle, but unless you’re using a charger in your home garage, you’ll need an access control method to initiate a charging transaction. They are known as ISO 15118 Plug & Charge, smartphone apps, web apps, RFID technology, payment terminals, and Autocharge. The question arises: How do they function and which one should we choose? The objective of this post is to determine the optimal charging access method, whether you’re utilizing a public (commercial), semi-public (fleet), or private (apartment) charging station.

What are these access methods and how do they work?

EV charging access methods encompass the technologies used to identify a driver and initiate a charging transaction, aimed at authorizing and invoicing EV drivers. These methods often utilize physical means such as RFID cards or remote access via smartphone or web applications. It’s important to understand that while these methods facilitate invoicing, they should not be mistaken for the billing protocol, which manages payments after the transaction. We have chosen to categorize access methods based on customer profiles: registered users (subscribers) or occasional users (non-subscribers).

A. Subscriber EV charging Access method: Requiring prior registration for payment

These are EV charging access solutions that necessitate registration with an eMobility Service Provider (EMPs).

Smartphone App

This method entails EV drivers downloading a smartphone application from an online store (e.g., Play Store, Apple Store…). EV drivers are required to register to access multiple functions such as charging station identification (QR code or map point selection), initiating and stopping charging sessions, setting up payment methods (e.g., credit card, Google Pay…), and other features like monitoring energy load and trip planning. These applications are connected to a backend system to facilitate transactions and manage payments.

RFID

RFID is a widely adopted technology for access control in offices, homes, or hotel rooms… To use this method, an EV driver must register and obtain a physical RFID card from an eMobility provider (EMP). The EMP registers the card with its Unique Identifier (UID) to a backend system to manage authorization. The EV driver simply swipes the RFID card on a charging station RFID reader, sending the UID data for identification to the backend. If the card identification is validated, the charging transaction will commence.

Autocharge

Autocharge is the capability to recognize a vehicle connected to a charging station automatically. This functionality allows a charging station equipped with Autocharge to directly identify a connected vehicle using its Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or MAC address. Subsequently, this data is transmitted to the eMobility platform for validation. Autocharge is considered a Plug & Charge charging method. The identification principle is similar to RFID, as the user must register the car data with the eMobility provider.

Plug & Charge (ISO 15118)

The ISO 15118 principle is comparable to Autocharge, with the distinction that this technology handles the EV driver’s subscription through smart contracts registered within the electric vehicle. Similar to registering a phone with a cellular network, the user selects their eMobility provider (network) directly from the car. This enables secure charging across multiple EV charging networks without the risk of multiple subscriptions, as with Autocharge.

B. Non-Subscriber EV Charging Access Method: On-Site Direct Payment

These are contactless methods that allow access on-site without prior registration.

QR – Web Application

This contactless payment method utilizes a QR code to open a web page, enabling users to initiate a transaction by entering payment details (such as credit cards or services like Google Pay or Apple Pay).

Payment Terminal

The payment terminal is a physical device attached to a charging station that allows drivers to initiate a charging transaction by swiping a credit card on an NFC reader. These Point of Sale (POS) software systems are connected to the charging network backend, which manages the charging process, and to a merchant bank that facilitates settlement of the credit card payment.

How shall I apply these access methods?

The decision to offer these various methods should primarily be based on the location and the type of customers.

We can observe how various technologies diverge depending on their usage. For example, contactless methods applicability depends on the type of charging stations with QR codes being suitable for Level 2, and credit card terminals being preferred for fast chargers. Additionally, in private and semi-private environments, RFID is ideal for residential settings with AC chargers, while Autocharge is well-suited for companies with fast chargers. When accessing public chargers, we recommend using a Smartphone application, and when applicable, Plug & Charge ISO 15118 due to its high level of convenience.

What Access Method Should EV Charging Networks Adopt?

 We recommend the following approach for eMobility providers and Charging Point Operators when selecting and applying access methods:

1st: Flexibility: Utilize these methods in parallel based on the service provider system (CPO or EMP backend) and charging station technology.

 

2nd: Openness: As a principle Commercial and Public charging stations should be accessible for both registered and non-registered users.

 

3rd: Convenience: Prioritize user experience, offering the convenience of using a service without registration, while registered users should benefit from features like “click & charge” or “Plug & Charge”.

Finally, commercial conditions should be tailored to the registration process. While charging services should be available to anyone, subscribers should always receive preferential conditions.

Customers Re-fueling their car after shopping has become an after-sales standard which is why many retailers operate gas stations. However, with the growth of electric vehicles, they have to think differently! EV charging is more than just a “potential full tank” after shopping; It is a chance to attract new customers, build loyalty, and valorize a forgotten asset; Car parks! This by just installing a few EV charging stations per store and – crucially – connecting these stations with their loyalty management systems to offer the best “shop and charge” experience.

Why is EV charging so interesting for Retailers? 

There are many benefits to provide EV charging services next to the obvious market transition from gasoline to electric.

1. Perfect location

Retailers have the 3 most critical success factors to make an EV charging network successful:  Locations (the stores), Drivers (the shoppers) and an Occupation while charging (shopping)

2. Attracting more customers at stores

In today’s online delivery era, having new reasons to get consumers onsite for an in-store experience is more important than ever (10 times more sales than online according to entrepreneur)

3. Generate new revenues with EV charging

Sales start at the parking, with $10 to $30 revenue per charging session!

Make or buy: Shall retailers provide or outsource EV charging services?

It is a legitimate question since electric vehicles represent only ~2% of cars on the road and specialized EV companies are willing to install chargers at “no costs”. These outsourcing models similar to a “Vending machine” proposition can be attractive if we manage a few drawbacks:

• Direct relationship with consumers: Managing EV drivers offers the benefit to engage and push targeted cross-marketing actions (product advertising, promotions…)
• Full access to charging data: Direct access to charging data (Who, when, how long, how much…) is a necessity if Retailers wants to develop their own “shop and charge” strategy
• Charging income model: Whether it is a revenue share or commission model, getting access to $10’000 to $50’000 annual income per charger shall not be underestimated

Now if retailers can operate gas stations, providing EV charging as charging station operator and eMobility provider shall not be much of a challenge. Especially as they can mandate engineering companies to install and maintain chargers while using a white label EV cloud-based platform (e.g. Saascharge) to operate and commercialize charging services (authorization, eRoaming, billing…).

What kind of EV charging strategy can retailers adopt?

Offering EV charging services while shopping is only a beginning. The real opportunity is to steer EV drivers to selected shopping sites. For this, three different aspects need to be considered:

• Integration of EV charging with loyalty and store data
• Development of commercial strategies to attract and stimulate EV drivers
• Establishment of key partnerships to valorize your EV charging assets

1. Use the power of data

EV drivers in need of a charge require a smartphone application, RFID cards (e.g. retail loyalty card) or in-car systems (Plug & Charge) to find and start charging sessions. These systems collect valuable traffic data (Consumer ID, location, usage, time, state of battery….) that can be combined with consumers and real-time retail data (e.g. store frequentation, promotions, inventory…) to create a powerful customer journey:

The principle is to feed these charging, loyalty and inventory data with advanced recommendation engines, such as reinforcement learning algorithms to push the right product to the right customer at the exact location!

2. Develop a commercial strategy to engage with EV drivers

This is about how Retailers can engage with the “Shop and Charge” experience to increase retention and convert occasional shoppers into regular ones.

A. Attract EV consumers by offering better charging rates

Segment customers by offering members better-charging conditions (e.g. $0.20 per kWh for members instead of $0.30 per kWh for guests…) and pushing guests to sign up for loyalty cards.

B. Stimulate EV driver sales with circumstantial offerings

Imagine a regular shopper driving home with low batteries and looking for a charging site on the store application. We now know who needs a charge; For example, a young professional with a shopping history indicates that she is an amateur of “fine food”. This information enables retailers to push promotions for fresh Italian pasta at a store located on their way home! On top of that, they can offer further promotions on “sell-by date” vegetables yielding better inventory turnover and reducing waste.

C. Make consumers stay longer with EV charging

Charging an electric vehicle can take from 20 to 120 minutes depending on the type of vehicle and charging stations. This is a great reason to motivate customers to get a longer shopping journey by upselling in-store services. Let’s take the example of a family getting a shopping break while charging their car. The store could offer coupons for restaurants or coffees to extend their stay. This is possible as we know who is charging (loyalty member), the level of the battery (state of charge) and shopping habits (e.g. coffee).

 3. Valorize your EV charging service by creating new partnerships

The number of stores that Walmart covers in the US (5’000), Carrefour (5,592) in France and Tesco in the UK (4’008) could make them among the largest EV networks by just adding 3 to 5 chargers per location. This is an ideal basis for partnerships as:

• Charging Point Operator (CPO) offering charging access to other EV market players such as car manufacturers with dedicated promotions to attract drivers of specific brands (e.g. Ford, Toyota, VW…).
• eMobility service providers (EMP) giving loyalty members access to other EV charging networks with eRoaming. This with preferential “charge and leisure” offers (e.g. wellness, golf club, hotels…) thanks to the large group of consumers they represent.

Going full EV is the only way! Start now, collect data and build up your future!

Some Retailers have already started providing charging services to follow a trend or for image reasons but being present isn’t enough! We believe that the real opportunity for Retailers is an end-to-end “Shop and charge” strategy! This is a unique chance to interact with consumers from home to shopping destinations.

Cars are back on the road! It’s time to speak about the rising Demand for Public EV Charging Stations in America, which is the title of the next happy hour organised by Women in Cleantech and Sustainability and Marin Energy & Transportation Group.

What are the biggest challenges of EV charging in the US? How does public connected charging stations work? Who should lead this transformation? These are the topics that Richard Albrecht, Founder & CEO will have the opportunity to address in this session!

Get seated, prepare your refreshments and join us Thursday, July 16, 2020, at 5 pm PT for this Virtual Happy Hour! Please, book your event now! The event has a small entry fee but as friends and partners of Saascharge, you can benefit from 30% discount with this code. Please contact us for further information.