ChargePoint has introduced the ChargePoint Essential cloud plan, designed as a cost-effective alternative to traditional cloud subscriptions for electric vehicle (EV) charging. This plan offers a competitively priced software fee that can be offset by driver payments for charging, enabling small businesses to set up their own EV charging stations more affordably.
Under the Essential plan, all revenue generated beyond the initial software fee is returned to the station owner monthly, with activation of the charging stations included at no extra charge. Currently, the plan is available exclusively with ChargePoint’s CPF50, the company’s lowest-cost level 2 charging station. The offering aims to simplify the setup process by eliminating the need for software subscriptions or renewals.
ChargePoint is targeting condominiums, apartment buildings, and similar multifamily housing complexes, which often encounter difficulties in providing charging options for residents. The plan accommodates multiple users and includes a direct payment solution.
“ChargePoint aims to enable small businesses to offer EV charging in a straightforward manner,” said Rick Wilmer, CEO of ChargePoint. “Innovative offerings like the Essential cloud plan reduce the barrier to entry by covering ongoing costs and utilizing the $699 CPF50 charger to minimize upfront investments. This plan provides a way to offer charging without compromising quality or scalability.”
In addition to the new plan, ChargePoint has collaborated with Nissan to launch a charging solution in the USA and has developed a fleet charging option using CPF50 chargers. The company is also expanding its public charging infrastructure and has secured $19 million in funding to build fast charging stations in California. Additionally, ChargePoint has integrated artificial intelligence to assist in diagnosing faults in charging stations, aiming to improve the reliability of its services.
