According to the companies, Ubitricity is the world’s first charge point operator to deploy this functionality at such a scale. Technically, this marks a significant shift: until now, smart charging in public spaces has often relied on a direct API connection between the vehicle and the Mobility Service Provider (MSP). The current approach differs by using so-called Charging Profiles, which allow the MSP to send a charging schedule tailored to the driver’s preferences directly to the charging point via OCPI. The profile is then implemented on-site, while the Charge Point Operator (CPO) retains control over the charging processes of their infrastructure. A direct interface with the vehicle is therefore unnecessary, which in principle allows more electric cars to participate in managed charging.
For drivers, this flexibility also offers financial benefits. Through their respective apps, they can receive cashback if they reschedule charging sessions to avoid peak grid loads. According to Deftpower, 65 per cent of users who opt for smart charging enable the feature by default. “With OCPI 2.2.1 Charging Profiles we have unlocked a new level of scale for public smart charging,” says Deftpower CEO Jacob van Zonneveld.
