IoT connectivity key to managing fast-growing EV infrastructure

• Ericsson partnered with Blue Corner, a Blink Charging company, to show how cellular IoT plays a central role in connecting electric vehicle charging stations – a fast-growing market driven by a global push for phasing out gas-powered vehicles.
• Report reveals how cellular IoT streamlines the orchestration, administration, and maintenance of EV charging stations, decreasing annual monitoring costs by 15%.
• By implementing cellular IoT, mid-size EV charging providers can increase revenue by 40%, as a result of interoperability revenue share.

Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) today released a Connected EV Charging report in collaboration with EV charging provider Blue Corner, their connectivity provider Orange Belgium, and Arthur D. Little.

The report highlights the value of cellular IoT in connecting and orchestrating electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. As consumers, governments, and the automotive industry look toward a more sustainable and efficient alternative to fossil-fueled vehicles, EV charging providers recognize a business growth opportunity.

However, they are facing the challenge of effectively operating and maintaining a fast-growing number of charging stations, and ensuring that stations are utilized and profitable, while offering a seamless charging experience to their customers.

Ericsson’s report explores how cellular IoT connectivity can help EV charging providers improve their charging station deployment, operations, maintenance, and service provisioning. Specifically, IoT supports the authorization of users, payment processes, station monitoring and maintenance, and smart energy management, while also providing valuable data to improve planning and develop new customer services.

Another advantage of cellular IoT connectivity is its built-in security measures to protect data and sensitive information, creating an immediate value add in addition to reliable coverage no matter the location.

The report analyzed a European, medium-sized EV charging firm with 9m EUR in revenue and found that it can expect:

• 40% revenue increase due to interoperability, i.e., revenue share from its customers using other EV charging providers’ stations.
• About 15% decrease in annual monitoring costs, as a result of remote monitoring – saving time and effort associated with physical inspections.
• More rapid response times to technical issues, improving uptime and customer experience, as a result of remote monitoring.

Other stakeholders benefit as well. For instance, a parking operator who owns connected charging stations can earn additional revenues as a result of IoT-enabled interoperability.

"This report demonstrates the value of cellular IoT connectivity in keeping up with the fast-paced growth of EV charging networks. Ericsson IoT Accelerator provides vital capabilities, including subscription lifestyle management, service management, and business insights – enabling EV charging providers to deploy, manage and scale their IoT-powered business from a single connectivity management platform,” says Jess Thompson-Hughes, IoT Enterprise Sales Director, Energy & Utilities, Ericsson.

Olivier van Schap, Managing Director, Blue Corner, says, “Blue Corner joined forces with the Blink Charging group in 2021 with the ambition to grow into a leading player in the European EV market in the short term. With a network of over 10,000 charging points throughout Europe, we’re working towards a more sustainable society by reducing carbon emissions through innovative charging solutions. With our connectivity partner Orange Belgium and its IoT solutions powered by Ericsson IoT Accelerator, we can ensure that our charging stations are always connected and well maintained, making us ready to serve the driver needs today.”

Werner de Laet, Chief Enterprise Officer, Orange Belgium, says, “We equip each charging station with a SIM card connecting the stations to a public cellular network, allowing for real-time data transfer and asset management, providing the framework for Blue Corner to remotely manage their charging stations – one of the key factors in cost savings – and optimize performance based on data insights.”

With inevitable disruptions on the horizon including the ongoing energy crisis, the demand for EVs has provided cities and governments with challenges as they struggle to keep up with the growing need to ensure steady adoption of new infrastructure. Through cellular IoT, EV charging companies can manage complex stakeholder ecosystems, from drivers to hardware providers by enhancing network functionalities, while simultaneously building a solid, future-proof foundation to scale their business.

EV charging providers and other ecosystem stakeholders can calculate the potential value of cellular IoT connectivity to their business using Ericsson’s Business Value Calculator.

Ericsson will be presenting and discussing key findings of the study at the EV World Congress 2022 EV World Congress 2022in London 5–6 October.