ChargePoint has unveiled plans to implement round-the-clock proactive monitoring for its extensive network of over 243,000 charging points. The company’s newly established Network Operations Centre (NOC) is poised to swiftly identify and address charging station issues, thereby bolstering overall reliability and contributing to a smoother EV charging experience.
ChargePoint’s NOC initiative is geared towards revolutionizing the manner in which charging stations are maintained and serviced. Through seamless integration of hardware and software, a continuous line of communication will be established between the charging stations and the NOC. This seamless connection will enable rapid identification of malfunctions and subsequent notification of charging station owners, leading to expedited maintenance and repairs.
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The cornerstone of this endeavor also lies in fostering competence within the industry. ChargePoint has announced a comprehensive training and certification program for electrical contractors, slated for launch in early 2024. This program is intended to ensure flawless installation of charging stations from day one, thus preemptively reducing reliability issues. Moreover, it will facilitate effective repair procedures when needed.
Rick Wilmer, Chief Operating Officer at ChargePoint, emphasized the crucial role of dependable EV charging in the ongoing transition towards electric mobility. “We believe that our methodology of calculating uptime is the most transparent in the industry and the most relevant to drivers, which provides us with the necessary benchmark to build upon,” Wilmer stated. The goal is to improve the entire charging ecosystem, encompassing the network, installers, site hosts, and app users, ensuring every driver enjoys a seamless charging experience.
These advancements are underpinned by ChargePoint’s robust commitment to research and development, with investments exceeding $194 million in fiscal year 2023. These resources are geared towards optimizing charger uptime and expediting error response times. The NOC’s design is scalable to align with the company’s extensive network, currently comprising over 243,000 active charging points along with partnering roaming services.
As ChargePoint aspires to broaden its presence, securing a credit line of $150 million from reputable financial institutions—JP Morgan, HSBC, Citi, and Goldman Sachs—positions the company for further growth. This credit influx will fortify ChargePoint’s expansion plans and contribute to the evolution of its North American charging network.
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In an industry marked by innovation, ChargePoint remains agile and adaptable. When several prominent automakers recently announced their decision to incorporate Tesla’s NACS fast-charging system in forthcoming North American EV models, ChargePoint was quick to respond. The company committed not only to providing additional NACS cables for new charging stations but also to retrofitting existing installations.
Beyond North America, ChargePoint’s presence extends to Europe, where it collaborates with ALD Automotive, now ALD Leaseplan, to offer EV charging solutions to corporate clients. In a series of strategic moves in 2021, ChargePoint acquired two European eMobility firms: Austrian eMobility software specialist has-to-be, followed by electric bus and commercial vehicle management provider ViriCiti.
