EV charging networks are companies that provide a centralized system for accessing and managing electric vehicle (EV) chargers, including payment, access control and usage monitoring. Some networks partner with each other to allow users to roam and charge at stations owned by other networks. Many networks provide a mobile app that can be used to locate and navigate to charging station locations.
When developing an EV infrastructure project, site planners can engage a charging network to help plan the station’s policies, administration and advertising. A charging network can also provide advice based on experiences at other sites in similar contexts and geographic locations.
As EV ownership expands, so will the demand for chargers to support long-distance travel. This is a primary motivator behind the seven of the world’s largest carmakers partnering to build a new network called Ionity. The automakers hope Ionity’s fast chargers can reduce range anxiety, which remains a top deterrent for would-be EV buyers.
In the United States, several independent companies offer EV charging networks. These include FLO, EVgo, Instavolt and Osprey. Some of these companies offer a single branded service to end-users, while others operate multiple branded networks in different parts of the country. For example, EVgo’s network in California and Oregon includes stations that feature both CHAdeMO and CCS plug standards. Some networks also have their own private stations that are only available to members of that network. Other networks, such as Tesla’s Supercharger network, are open to all EV drivers. EV Charging Networks