Why EV Charging Operators Need More Than Standard Chargers
Customization, OCPP and Integrated Energy Solutions

Official Website Editorial Draft | FDEnergy

For CPOs, the next generation of EV charging infrastructure is not only about installing more chargers. It is about building charging networks that are adaptable, interoperable and energy-aware.

The global EV charging infrastructure market is expanding rapidly. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the number of public charging points worldwide exceeded 7 million at the end of 2025, after nearly 1.8 million new public charging points were added during the year. The average speed of public charging infrastructure also continued to increase as fast and ultra-fast chargers gained a larger share of the market. [1]

At the same time, the charging market is becoming increasingly diverse. The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) found that Europe has a significantly more fragmented public charging market than China and the United States, with the top 10 CPOs accounting for only around 23% of Europe's public charging point stock in 2024. [2]

For charging point operators (CPOs), this means that a charger is no longer simply a standardized power-conversion device. Hardware, software, user experience, local compliance, interoperability and energy management all influence how effectively a charging site can operate.

This is where customization becomes increasingly important.

1. Why Customization Matters to EV Charging Operators

Traditional procurement often treats EV chargers as standardized products defined mainly by power output, connector type, certification and delivery time.

For CPOs operating across different countries and business models, however, the requirements can be much more complex.

A charging station can serve as:

· A customer-facing interface

· A branded service terminal

· A payment and billing point

· A networked operational asset

· An advertising and media platform

· An integrated energy management node

The right level of customization allows operators to adapt charging infrastructure to their market, brand, operating model and energy environment without unnecessarily redesigning the entire product.

1.1 Building a Distinctive Charging Brand

For charging operators, the charging station is one of the most visible touchpoints between the network and the end user.

Operators may therefore want to customize:

· Logos and exterior branding

· HMI and startup screens

· Multilingual interfaces

· Customer service information

· RFID and payment options

· Advertising displays

· User interaction flows

Consistent branding across multiple charging sites can help operators create a recognizable customer experience while reducing dependence on the equipment manufacturer's visual identity.

For CPOs building their own charging networks, this turns the charger from a generic piece of hardware into part of their own service ecosystem.

1.2 Adapting to Local Market and Regulatory Requirements

EV charging infrastructure does not operate under a single global regulatory framework.

Different markets can impose different requirements related to pricing transparency, payment methods, metering, interoperability, data and consumer information.

For example, under the EU Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR), publicly accessible charging points with an output of 50 kW or more must display the ad hoc price per kWh and any applicable occupancy fee at the charging station before users start a charging session. The regulation also establishes requirements for ad hoc payment and other consumer-facing information. [3]

This means that simply having compliant charging hardware may not be sufficient for every market. Operators may also need appropriate configuration of the HMI, pricing interface, payment functions, metering and backend communication.

For equipment suppliers, this makes software and interface flexibility an important part of market deployment.

1.3 Supporting Different CPO Business Models

Charging operators can have very different business models. Some focus primarily on public charging. Others operate fleet charging, commercial charging sites, destination charging or integrated energy projects.

Their operational requirements can therefore vary significantly:

· QR-code and ad hoc payment

· RFID-based authorization

· Fleet management

· Dynamic pricing

· Advertising

· Remote device management

· CSMS integration

· Smart charging

· PV and battery energy storage integration

A standardized charger may provide the core charging function, but a configurable software and communication architecture gives CPOs greater flexibility to adapt the equipment to their business model.

1.4 Reducing Long-Term Operational Complexity

Customization should not create a new maintenance problem.

For operators managing multiple charging sites, consistent HMI design, software architecture and equipment configuration can simplify daily operation and technical support.

A modular approach can allow operators to customize selected layers—such as HMI, software, communication or peripheral modules—while keeping the proven power architecture stable.

This can help reduce unnecessary changes to the core platform and support a more consistent approach to spare parts, firmware management, troubleshooting and future upgrades.

2. A Practical Three-Level Customization Framework for CPOs

Not every charging project needs the same level of customization.

Instead of redesigning an entire charger for every customer, customization can be structured into three levels.

Level 1 — Brand & UI Customization

Suitable for operators looking for a branded charging experience.

· Logo printing or engraving

· HMI wallpaper and startup screen

· Multilingual UI

· Customer service information

· Basic exterior customization

This approach provides a relatively simple way to create a branded charging experience without major changes to the underlying hardware.

Level 2 — Software & Operational Customization

Suitable for regional CPOs and charging network operators.

· HMI menu structure

· Pricing and billing configuration

· RFID readers

· Advertising displays

· Remote content management

· OCPP configuration

· CSMS integration

· Operating parameters

At this level, software becomes an important part of the charging infrastructure rather than simply an accessory to the hardware.

Level 3 — Joint Development

For large-scale or highly specialized charging projects, deeper collaboration may be required.

· Hardware adaptation

· Dedicated firmware development

· Advanced energy management functions

· Long-term OTA maintenance

· Remote diagnostics

· Certification-related technical documentation

The objective is not to modify everything.

The more practical approach is to customize the layers that create business value while keeping the proven core architecture as stable as possible.

This approach can help reduce unnecessary development, certification and long-term maintenance risks.

3. FDEnergy: Modular Charging and Integrated Energy Solutions

FDEnergy develops charging and integrated energy solutions based on a modular product architecture.

The product platform separates key functional layers such as power conversion, control, HMI, metering and communication, allowing selected components to be adapted to different project requirements.

This enables FDEnergy to support different levels of customization while maintaining a consistent product platform.

The approach is particularly relevant for CPOs that need more than a standard charger.

4. Solar-Storage-Charging: Integrating EV Charging with Energy Management

As charging power increases, the relationship between EV charging and the local electricity network becomes increasingly important.

For some charging sites, the challenge is not simply installing a higher-power charger. It may also involve grid capacity, connection constraints, peak demand, electricity costs and renewable-energy utilization.

This is where solar-storage-charging solutions can become valuable.

FDEnergy's Solar-Storage-Charging All-in-One integrates:

PV Generation + Battery Energy Storage + EMS + EV Charging

The system can coordinate renewable generation, energy storage, grid power and EV charging loads according to site conditions and operating requirements.

Academic research published in Applied Energy has specifically examined the techno-economic optimization of solar-battery charging stations under grid constraints, including the impact of EV demand, intelligent battery management and feed-in tariffs. [7]

This highlights an important consideration for CPOs: the optimal charging infrastructure is not always determined by charger power alone. The site's entire energy architecture can influence project economics and grid requirements.

Potential applications include:

· Commercial EV charging stations

· Fleet charging

· Logistics facilities

· Sites with limited grid capacity

· Energy-constrained locations

· Solar-powered charging projects

Depending on project requirements, FDEnergy can customize charging power, battery capacity, HMI design, multilingual interfaces and CSMS integration.

5. Solar-Diesel-Storage for Weak-Grid and Remote Charging Sites

Not every charging site has access to a stable and sufficiently powerful grid connection.

For remote areas, islands, mining operations and other weak-grid environments, combining multiple energy sources can provide greater operational flexibility.

FDEnergy's Solar-Diesel-Storage integrated solution combines:

PV Generation + Diesel Generation + Battery Energy Storage + EV Charging

The system is designed for applications where grid reliability or grid availability is a major consideration.

By coordinating different energy sources and storage according to charging demand and site conditions, the solution can support charging operations in environments where conventional grid-dependent charging infrastructure may be difficult to deploy.

Potential applications include:

· Remote charging stations

· Mining sites

· Islands

· Industrial parks

· Weak-grid locations

· Off-grid energy systems

6. OCPP and Charging Network Interoperability

For CPOs, the charging station is only one part of the overall charging network.

The ability to communicate with a Charging Station Management System (CSMS) is essential for functions such as remote monitoring, configuration, diagnostics, firmware management and charging-session management.

The Open Charge Alliance describes OCPP as a standardized communication protocol between charging stations and central systems, designed to support interoperability and reduce dependence on proprietary systems. [4]

OCPP 2.0.1 introduced enhanced device management, monitoring, security, smart charging and ISO 15118-related capabilities compared with OCPP 1.6. [5]

OCPP 2.1, released in 2025, further expands capabilities including bidirectional charging, DER control, improved smart charging, battery swapping and additional payment functions. [6]

FDEnergy's charging products support OCPP 1.6J and OCPP 2.0.1, enabling integration with compatible third-party CSMS platforms and supporting functions such as remote management, diagnostics and firmware management.

For CPOs, this means the charging equipment can become part of an existing digital charging ecosystem rather than operating as an isolated hardware system.

7. From Hardware Supplier to Long-Term Technology Partner

For charging operators, the value of an equipment supplier increasingly extends beyond the initial hardware delivery.

A long-term technology partner should be able to support several layers of the charging infrastructure:

Market Adaptation

Configure HMI, communication, payment and other functions according to project and market requirements.

Brand Customization

Create a consistent visual and user experience across charging sites.

Energy Integration

Combine EV charging with PV generation, battery energy storage and energy management where site conditions require it.

Platform Interoperability

Connect charging equipment with compatible CSMS platforms through standardized communication protocols.

Long-Term Operation

Support firmware updates, remote diagnostics, technical service and spare-parts supply throughout the equipment lifecycle.

This is particularly important as charging networks grow.

The goal is not simply to purchase more EV chargers.

The goal is to build charging infrastructure that can adapt as the operator, market and energy environment evolve.

8. What CPOs Should Consider When Selecting a Charging Equipment Partner

When evaluating an EV charging equipment supplier, CPOs can look beyond the basic specification sheet and consider five areas:

1. Hardware

Can the charging platform meet the required power, connector, environmental and safety requirements?

2. Software

Can the HMI, pricing, payment and operating functions be adapted to the target market?

3. Interoperability

Can the charger communicate with the operator's existing or planned CSMS platform?

4. Energy Architecture

Can the supplier provide PV, battery storage and energy management solutions when grid capacity becomes a constraint?

5. Long-Term Support

Can the supplier provide firmware updates, remote diagnostics, spare parts and technical support after installation?

For a CPO, these capabilities can be just as important as the charger's rated power.

Conclusion: Building More Adaptable EV Charging Infrastructure

The global EV charging market is moving into a more sophisticated stage.

According to the IEA, global public charging infrastructure exceeded 7 million charging points at the end of 2025, while the deployment of faster and higher-power charging infrastructure continued to accelerate. [1]

At the same time, charging markets remain highly diverse. Different countries and CPOs operate under different regulatory frameworks, business models, grid conditions and customer expectations.

This makes a one-size-fits-all approach increasingly difficult.

For CPOs, the future of EV charging infrastructure is not simply about more chargers.

It is about more adaptable chargers, better software integration, smarter energy management and stronger long-term service capabilities.

FDEnergy combines EV charging, energy storage, PV integration, energy management and modular customization to support charging operators, energy companies and project developers across different markets.

Whether you are developing a new charging network, expanding an existing CPO platform, or exploring solar-storage-charging solutions for a grid-constrained site, FDEnergy can work with your team to evaluate the technical requirements and develop a solution around your project.

Looking for a customized EV charging or integrated energy solution for your next project?

Talk to the FDEnergy Energy Solutions Team.

References

[1] International Energy Agency (IEA). Global EV Outlook 2026: Electric Vehicle Charging. IEA, Paris, 2026.

[2] International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT). Global Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Market Monitor (2024). ICCT, 2025.

[3] European Union. Regulation (EU) 2023/1804 on the Deployment of Alternative Fuels Infrastructure (AFIR). Official Journal of the European Union.

[4] Open Charge Alliance (OCA). Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP). Open Charge Alliance.

[5] Open Charge Alliance (OCA). What is New in OCPP 2.0.1? Open Charge Alliance, 2023.

[6] Open Charge Alliance (OCA). OCPP 2.1 is Now Available. Open Charge Alliance, 2025.

[7] Hull, C., Wust, J., Booysen, M. J., & McCulloch, M. D. “Techno-economic optimization and assessment of solar-battery charging station under grid constraints with varying levels of fleet EV penetration.” Applied Energy, Vol. 374, 123990, 2024. DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2024.123990.

[8] Open Charge Alliance (OCA). OCPP 2.1 Edition 1 is now officially published by IEC as IEC 63584-210:2025. Open Charge Alliance, 2025.