According to Zapmap, in September 2023 there were 29,709 public charging sites with a total of 77,531 connectors across the UK. With the EV industry growing, so is the public EV charging industry as the infrastructure continues to expand.
Although this is good news for the future of electric vehicles and the UK’s targets for Net Zero, all those public charge points need to be monitored and maintained. An organisation responsible for public or private charge points is considered a charge point operator (CPO), however, the role of charger management will likely fall on one individual within that organisation.
The role of CPO is important, but with the right charge point management software, it doesn't have to be a burden. Let’s take a look at some of the different types of CPOs.
The local authority public charging manager
The public sector can mean anything from the NHS to council services, all of which will require workplace and public chargers. Councils are beginning to provide public charging options within their towns and cities to help bolster the EV charging infrastructure and encourage more people to transition to electric.
With possibly dozens of public and workplace charge points, local authorities will require monitoring and maintenance of the charging estate and infrastructure. Having the right tools to properly track and report on charger utilisation, energy consumption and sustainability is vital.
The Fuuse Dashboard offers a quick insight into all your chargers, public and private.
The fleet manager
Business and organisations transitioning fleets to electric has accelerated as the UK works toward the goal of Net Zero in 2035. Logistics operations can be extremely involved, but managing the charges of an EV fleet does not have to be a huge undertaking. With a good infrastructure and tools, the transition to electric fleets is achievable.
One of the biggest concerns when it comes to transitioning fleets to electric is the affect the charging of the vehicles will have on the site's electricity and the grid. With the help of Energy Monitoring software and Dynamic Load Balancing, fleets can be managed safely without spiking energy demand and risking affecting the grid.
Dynamic Load Balancing safeguards site locations and the grid from energy spikes as fleets charge.
The workplace charging manager
Offering workplace charging can attract and retain staff, especially those with electric vehicles needing assurance they will have access to charging as they work. Around 24% of the UK does not have off-street parking, so having workplace charging options can encourage more drivers to transition to electric.
Providing charging facilities at the office not only displays a commitment to sustainability to clients and investors, but also allows them the opportunity to charge when they visit your location.
Though it might seem like a substantial investment, with the government Workplace Charging Scheme grant, installing a charging infrastructure is attainable. Having charge points available also helps future-proof the location, as more regulations enforcing a minimum number of charge points per carpark are being mandated.
Bookings lets staff reserve a charger, ensuring the opportunity to charge during work hours.
The destination charge point manager
Offering guests and customers charging facilities at destination locations is not only providing a convenience, but can also increase customer loyalty. When a guest stays at a destination, they can relax and rest easier knowing that they will have access to chargers while they continue to enjoy their holiday or work visit.
Shopping centres, supermarkets, and other shops providing charging to their guests can also benefit from customers dwelling longer in their location, increasing the chance they will spend more while they allow their car to adequately charge.
Multi-tariffs allow for visitor charging as well as preferential rates for staff.
The landlord
Updating your rental locations with charging options can increase the value of the property and can boost the appeal to renters searching for their new home. Listing rentals as having an available charger will also widen the market to prospective tenants who currently own an electric vehicle.
Installing chargers at rental properties will future-proof the locations against potential fines for not offering charging facilities to tenants. This is especially true with apartment buildings where regulations will begin to become enforced to increase charging availability across the UK.
Owning public charge points can be a gainful means of passive income, and landlords with chargers at apartment buildings have a unique advantage of earning further revenue by allowing charging for the public as well as for their tenants.
Subscriptions allow tenants to conveniently pay monthly for charging instead of at the time of every charge.
The Holiday home entrepreneur
Investing in charge points at holiday homes or Airbnb locations can result in a lucrative additional means for passive income. Offering charger access is also an increasingly attractive amenity in the hospitality market. Guests with electric vehicles will be more likely to select your holiday home if provided with the ability to charge their car while they stay.
Not only will charger revenue come from guests utilising the charging facilities, but opening up chargers for public consumption can lead to another steady stream of passive income.
Fuuse Public makes chargers discoverable on charge point maps such as Zapmaps.
here to support every type of CPO
Choosing Fuuse charge point management software means access to Remote Maintenance tools and the high-quality UK-based Customer Success team to cover CPOs, charge points, and drivers in all their customer support needs.
“Our Customer Success Team are passionate about ensuring a smooth and personalised onboarding experience based on our customer’s needs, allowing them to get the most out of our services.
It is important to us that we continue to build trust and deliver value to new and existing clients.”
Dana Taqi, Customer Success Manager at Fuuse
Fuuse offers fully comprehensive customer support packages covering chargers, drivers, and the platform.
