The charging infrastructure industry has aligned with a common standard called
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The Alternative Fuels Data Center and the Station Locator use the following charging infrastructure definitions:
• Station Location: A station location is a site with one or more EVSE ports at the same address. Examples include a parking garage or a mall parking lot.
• EVSE Port: An EVSE port provides power to charge only one vehicle at a time even though it may have multiple connectors. The unit that houses EVSE ports is sometimes called a charging post, which can have one or more EVSE ports.
• Connector: A connector is what is plugged into a vehicle to charge it. Multiple connectors and connector types (such as CHAdeMO and CCS) can be available on one EVSE port, but only one vehicle will charge at a time. Connectors are sometimes called plugs.
Roles and business models in EV charging industry
Site Owner / Site Host / Location Host
Site owner is the entity, natural or legal person, that owns or operates the location where charge points are installed. Often these are retail chains, restaurants, business centres, parking operators, municipalities, etc.
Charge Point Operator (CPO)
Charge point operators install, manage, and ensure optimal operations of chargers/stations from one or more manufacturers. Moreover, they offer diagnostics, maintenance, price tariff management, and other value-added services to provide smooth network operation. Charge point operators may own the charging infrastructure and/or provide the connection to owners of EV charge points. Charge point operators can benefit from roaming network hubs and also provide eMSP (see definition below) service while allowing access to the charging stations in their network from other eMSPs. Usually, CPOs work in partnership with Site Owners to install chargers at their locations, collect operation fees and optionally share the EV charging revenue.
Charge Point Installer (CPI)
Charge point installers usually sell, commission and maintain in optimal condition charger points from one or more manufacturers to location owners (also referred to as charge point hosts). Their customers can be residential (single homes or multi-family), retail, business centres, real estate developers, hotel chains, car dealers, parking operators, energy, oil and gas, CPOs, government (municipalities, councils) and pretty much everyone who owns or provides car parking space. They take care of the maintenance and support of the hardware. More and more charge point installers are looking into delivering EV charging software solutions to their customers – home charging, workplace charging and even CPO business opportunities.