EV Roaming FAQs for CPOs

EV roaming is transforming the charging landscape, enabling drivers to access stations outside their home network and helping CPOs expand reach, utilization, and revenue. Here, we answer the most common questions CPOs have about EV roaming from technical setup to business impact so you can make informed decisions and position your network for growth.

📌 TL;DR

• Roaming allows CPOs to attract more drivers, increase utilization, and tap new revenue streams.

• There are multiple roaming models: peer-to-peer, hub-based, and single-network.

• Open protocols like OCPI and OCPP are essential for seamless integration and interoperability.

• Roaming setup involves agreements, technical integration, data exchange, and ongoing management.

🔎 1. What is EV roaming and why should CPOs care?

EV roaming enables drivers from different networks (via their eMobility Service Provider, or eMSP) to access and pay for charging at your stations without needing a separate account or app. For CPOs, this means:

• Increased station utilization

• Access to new customer segments

• Expanded geographic reach

• New revenue streams

🔎 2. What are the main types of EV roaming models?

• Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Roaming:

  Direct agreements between CPOs and eMSPs using protocols like OCPI. Offers flexibility but can become complex as the number of partners grows.

• Hub-Based Roaming:

  A central roaming hub (e.g., Hubject, Gireve) connects multiple networks, simplifying integration and access to many partners through a single connection.

• Single-Network Roaming:

  All charging and users are managed within one provider’s ecosystem—no external roaming, but limited reach.

Read more here: EV roaming models

🔎 3. How does the technical setup for roaming work?

Getting started with EV roaming might sound complicated, but it’s actually a straightforward process once you break it down.

First, you’ll need to sign roaming agreements with your chosen partners or roaming hubs. This step sets out the commercial terms and technical details for how you’ll work together.

Next comes the system “handshake” where your charging station management system (CSMS) securely connects to your partner or hub, exchanging credentials for data access so both systems can communicate safely.

Once connected, your systems will start sharing important information in real time or at scheduled intervals. This includes details about your charging stations, their status, pricing, and transaction records.

After everything is up and running, you’ll continue to maintain and update your roaming data, manage user authorizations, and handle financial settlements to keep everything running smoothly. With these steps in place, your network is ready to welcome more drivers and grow your business through roaming.

🔎 4. What protocols are used for EV roaming, and why are they important?

EV roaming relies on standardized communication protocols to ensure seamless interoperability between different charging networks and service providers. The Open Charge Point Interface (OCPI) is the primary protocol used for roaming, enabling secure, real-time data exchange between Charge Point Operators (CPOs) and eMobility Service Providers (eMSPs) or roaming hubs. OCPI supports essential functions such as session authorization, tariff and pricing updates, billing, and status notifications. By standardizing these interactions, OCPI allows drivers to use charging stations across multiple networks without needing separate accounts or apps, while ensuring accurate and timely billing and data synchronization between parties.

Complementing OCPI is the Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP), which standardizes communication between individual charging stations and their central management systems (CSMS). While OCPP is not directly involved in roaming between networks, it is crucial for ensuring that charging stations are interoperable, remotely manageable, and vendor-agnostic. This protocol allows CPOs to monitor station status, control charging sessions, and perform diagnostics regardless of hardware manufacturer. Other protocols such as OICP, OCHP, and eMIP are also used in specific regions or by certain roaming platforms to facilitate interoperability. Together, these open protocols form the technical foundation that enables a smooth, secure, and scalable EV roaming ecosystem.

🔎 5. How does EV roaming impact my business operations?

• Higher utilization: more drivers can access your stations, boosting usage rates.

• Revenue growth: roaming brings new customers and additional income streams.

• Simplified payments: roaming agreements and platforms often handle billing and settlements, reducing administrative burden.

• Improved customer experience: drivers enjoy seamless charging, increasing satisfaction and loyalty.

• Reduced hardware costs: roaming can eliminate the need for multiple payment terminals, especially at AC stations.

Read more about it here: EV roaming for CPOs

🔎 6. How do I control access, pricing, and financial settlements in roaming?

• Access Control: decide which stations participate in roaming and set user permissions.

• Flexible Pricing: set different tariffs for roaming users versus your own customers.

• Transparent Settlements: use detailed reports to track, reconcile, and manage transactions with roaming partners.

🔎 7. What are the challenges or risks with EV roaming?

Complexity: one of the most significant challenges with EV roaming is the inherent complexity of connecting different charging networks, platforms, and service providers. For CPOs, this often means handling multiple commercial agreements, technical integrations, and compliance requirements, especially if you’re pursuing a peer-to-peer or multi-hub strategy (read more here about different types of roaming options). Each agreement may require unique terms, pricing models, and technical setups, which can quickly become administratively demanding and resource-intensive. Furthermore, integrating your charging station management system with various hubs or partners often involves aligning different software interfaces, hardware protocols, and data formats. Without a standardized approach, this fragmentation can lead to inconsistent user experiences and operational inefficiencies.

Data Security: as roaming requires the exchange of sensitive data between multiple parties such as user authentication, payment information, and charging session details becomes a critical concern. CPOs must ensure that all data transfers are encrypted and comply with international, national, and local data protection regulations, such as PDPA in Singapore. The risks include potential data breaches, unauthorized access, and non-compliance penalties. Implementing secure communication protocols, such as the latest versions of OCPI and OCPP with enhanced security extensions, is essential to mitigate these risks

Revenue Sharing: without transparent and well-managed financial processes, CPOs risk unexpected costs, delayed payments, or disputes over revenue allocation. It’s crucial to have robust reporting and reconciliation tools in place to track all roaming transactions and ensure accurate settlements. Additionally, CPOs need to consider how roaming impacts their pricing strategy and overall profitability, as the added complexity can sometimes erode margins if not managed carefully.

🔎 8. What are the business benefits of enabling roaming for my network?

• Attract new customers and fleets

• Increase utilization and revenue

• Expand your brand’s visibility and reach

• Strengthen loyalty with existing customers by offering broader access

🔎 9. How does roaming affect fleets and commercial customers?

Roaming gives fleets precise control over charging costs, real-time monitoring, and easier tax reporting. It allows fleet vehicles to charge at a wider range of locations without complex reimbursement processes, making your stations more attractive to business clients.

🔎 10. How can Eigen Digital help CPOs with roaming?

Eigen Digital’s charging station management platform supports industry-standard protocols and seamless integration with roaming partners and hubs. We offer intuitive tools for managing agreements, access, pricing, and reporting, helping you unlock the full value of EV roaming and grow your charging business.

If you're ready to expand your network with EV roaming, 📨 contact Eigen Digital to learn how our platform can help you connect, manage, and thrive in the evolving eMobility ecosystem.