{"id":33898,"date":"2025-07-28T11:52:24","date_gmt":"2025-07-28T11:52:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/etecnic.bisiestodeveloper.es\/sin-categoria\/opinion-piece-community-simplicity-and-data-the-hidden-keys-to-electric-vehicle-charging\/"},"modified":"2026-07-07T10:53:31","modified_gmt":"2026-07-07T10:53:31","slug":"opinion-piece-community-simplicity-and-data-the-hidden-keys-to-electric-vehicle-charging","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/etecnic.bisiestodeveloper.es\/en\/projects-2\/opinion-piece-community-simplicity-and-data-the-hidden-keys-to-electric-vehicle-charging\/","title":{"rendered":"Opinion piece: Community, simplicity, and data: The hidden keys to electric vehicle charging"},"content":{"rendered":"

Promotions and accessibility: what really drives charging in ultrafast hubs?<\/h3>\n

In recent months, we have analyzed two types of ultrafast charging hubs<\/a>. A first group actively applies promotions<\/strong> through our EVcharge app<\/a>, while a second group offers no discounts<\/strong> and bases its appeal on good locations and stable tariffs.<\/p>\n

The data reveals a key lesson: building a community and ease of payment matter more than we think<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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The power of promotions<\/h3>\n

In hubs where promotions are offered, the majority of charging sessions (around 56%) are carried out through the EVcharge APP<\/a>, where users can activate discounts and offers. The EVcharge payment totem<\/a> and RFID cards<\/a> account for a lower share (25% and 4%, respectively). Interoperability via OCPI agreements barely represents a fraction of a percent.<\/p>\n

Why? Because promotions build community: users who download the app and receive offers get used to always charging at the same location, recommend the station, and become recurring customers.<\/p>\n

We are launching a pilot project for SMARTPRICING<\/strong><\/a>, a system that will recommend promotions to the hub administrator based on the source and cost of energy as well as occupancy forecasts. Imagine arriving at a station and receiving a notification: “Charge today at \u20ac0.25\/kWh because the wind is blowing strong.”<\/em> This kind of experience transforms an occasional customer into a community member.<\/p>\n

The totem: pure accessibility<\/h3>\n

In hubs where promotions have not been applied, the EVcharge payment totem<\/strong><\/a> takes center stage: 61% of charging sessions are activated from this terminal.<\/p>\n

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The totem is a centralized payment point with an integrated POS terminal that accepts credit and debit cards without requiring registration. It can manage multiple chargers and link each session to a QR code, which simplifies operations and reduces costs by concentrating several charging points into a single terminal. It complies with Royal Decree 184\/2022 and the European AFIR regulation, which require ad-hoc charging sessions to allow transparent card payments.<\/p>\n

The conclusion is clear: when we do not offer incentives, people charge where it is easiest. A visible totem, offering payment without registration and located in a convenient environment, becomes the gateway to our charging network.<\/p>\n

More information at EVcharge<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What about interoperability?<\/h3>\n

Many operators place their hopes on interoperability (agreements with eMSPs). However, in both promotional and non-promotional hubs, interoperability barely brings in any sessions. The new European regulations<\/a> mandate facilitating payment with contactless cards or devices, but they do not guarantee that users will prefer third-party apps. Sales cannot be delegated<\/strong>. The bulk of charging sessions comes through our own channels: the EVcharge app and the totem.<\/p>\n

Final reflections<\/h3>\n

The numbers invite us to reflect:<\/p>\n