Why managed roaming in the EV Sector Is still far from smooth
In a sector that’s evolving faster than ever, we see it as our mission to keep professionals in the world of EV charging sharp and informed. We’re starting with a topic that’s often discussed but rarely resolved: Managed Roaming.
1. Integrating with multiple roaming platforms is complex
CPOs looking to connect with several roaming platforms (like Hubject or Gireve) face a patchwork of technical requirements, certification processes, and protocol versions. Connecting to just one platform is already a major project, let alone multiple. It requires time, technical know-how, and flexibility that isn’t always readily available.
2. Limited visibility into roaming traffic and involved parties
Many CPOs have no clear picture of who’s actually charging on their network via roaming. Which MSP is behind a session? Which platform passed it along? This lack of transparency makes it difficult to steer performance, business development, or customer experience.
3. Delayed or incomplete session data = delay in everything
A common issue: session data comes in late or with errors. Missing start or end times, wrong identifiers, or even entire sessions that never show up. This directly affects billing, reimbursements, and customer service, because you can’t fix what you can’t see.
4. Protocol and standards uncertainty
Roaming mostly relies on the OCPI protocol, but multiple versions are in use. Not every platform implements it the same way, and updates don’t happen in sync. CPOs are expected to “keep up”, which requires specialized knowledge and technical follow-through. What works today might suddenly break tomorrow.
5. Scaling up? That’s when the real challenge begins
As your network grows in popularity, so does the number of roaming partners and the complexity skyrockets. More connections mean more chances for errors, inconsistent data, and pressure on support. Where you once managed a handful of relationships, you now become a data hub.
In Closing
The transition toward a more efficient roaming landscape is underway, but there are still plenty of hurdles. With this Industry Monitor, we want to map them out so the sector gains a clearer view of where the real frictions lie. In a future edition, we’ll explore how things might be done differently. But for now, let’s start with insight.
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