The widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) is expected to bring significant changes and challenges to various consumer verticals. From energy demand and supply management to grid infrastructure upgrades, charging infrastructure availability, and battery disposal and recycling, the EV revolution is set to transform the way we think about transportation.
The shift to EVs has already impacted other industries, such as oil and gas, auto repair, and insurance. Even more intriguingly, there is a more subtle effect related to how humans react to these new services. Many consumers are still unfamiliar with the benefits and challenges of owning an EV. However, if they do decide to own one, they are soon confronted with the challenging setup of the current landscape. Especially in Europe, which has been a leader in the adoption of electric vehicles, the region has experienced significant growth in EV sales and infrastructure development in recent years. But with growth logistical challenges emerged, and now a simple trip to the supermarket can become a problem when you have limited mileage and a couple of chargers to share with other needy EV drivers eager to claim the available spot. The “rush” for chargers is creating a negative experience that was unimaginable in a landscape dominated by fuel.
For businesses that provide charging stations, managing the demand for charging can be challenging. There is a risk that customers may become frustrated if they cannot access a charger when they need it. The original intention is however to provide charging stations and create a positive location/brand loyalty behavior, encouraging customers to revisit and generate more traffic for the business.
Check here some (not so) funny stories :
● A Frustrating Hassle Holding Electric Cars Back: Broken Chargers — The New York Times (nytimes.com)
● Driver hit with fine for charging electric car at Lidl reveals crucial mistake — Mirror Online
The standard setup for charging stations can be complicated for businesses that are not EV-oriented. An expensive, medium-capacity charger managed via an EV-oriented Charge Point Management System (CPMS) is the norm. The CPMS has little knowledge about the needs of the business owning the charger and is even further from concepts such as customer loyalty and rewards. This can lead to good intentions going bad, with businesses struggling to make charging stations work for them.
Recently I stumbled over an ambitious project from Walmart — Leading the Charge: Walmart Announces Plan To Expand Electric Vehicle Charging Network. The article showcases how 4 chargers have been installed in a seemingly busy parking lot, with only two cars currently charging and another one arriving. It’s worth considering how the charging infrastructure would accommodate an increasing number of electric cars. Such challenges highlight the importance of convenience and accessibility when it comes to EV charging. It is also important to consider how these developments may impact the behavior of consumers, who may choose to order groceries or other convenience goods online to avoid the hassle of finding a charging station.
Fortunately, visionary companies like Jibe are leading the way in providing custom EV solutions that cater to the needs of businesses. Jibe’s products and services enable companies to have a unique EV experience that is tailored to their specific use case. This is made possible by moving away from the traditional monolithic architecture of the Charge Point Management System (CPMS) and adopting the more advanced EV Architecture 2.0. By decoupling EV technicalities from location-specific services and needs, businesses can provide a more seamless and enjoyable experience for their customers.
As we undergo the electric vehicle revolution, it’s worth considering the parallels to the auto vehicle revolution of the previous century. While the basic functionality of a car such as starting, driving, and stopping has remained constant, improvements in safety standards and advertising have changed the way cars are perceived. However, what truly sets modern cars apart is the integration of all systems via sophisticated software engines, giving a seamless and powerful driving experience. In this way, the electric car of today is vastly different from those of the past.
As we move forward, software integration will play a key role in the continued evolution of electric vehicles and with them the connected charging services.
To provide more concrete examples of what is possible, I will be publishing a series of articles that build upon this first post. Every other week, I will share a new article focusing on a few specific use cases where I have worked closely with customers and software delivery teams. These articles will cover topics such as EV reservation, Customer Loyalty concepts in EVs, Parking and Charging, and Energy Management.
To sum up, it is vital for businesses to prioritize convenience and accessibility in their EV charging infrastructure as electric vehicles become increasingly popular. Thankfully there are emerging software companies that have a deep understanding of business components and offer custom EV solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of businesses. In other words, there is still hope for a seamless and enjoyable EV experience for the end customers, us. Stay tuned for my upcoming articles to learn more about the possibilities of custom EV solutions.
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