As an EV driver, you probably already know that each EV charging network offers a custom app that may help you find a charging station, check the availability of a charger, or initiate and pay for your charging session. You’re probably used to using the ChargePoint app to charge your vehicle at ChargePoint chargers and the Electrify America app to charge at Electrify America chargers. That means you’re also likely familiar with the experience of showing up at a charger and downloading an app to charge or sift through many apps to find the right one.
We want to let you in on a small secret: You may not know that many EV charging networks have special agreements, called roaming agreements, with one another to provide drivers with more freedom and flexibility. When finalized and operational, these roaming agreements allow you to use one network’s app to interact with another network’s charger.
Many consumers have already benefited from this capability in other industries, such as withdrawing cash from an ATM regardless of your bank or calling any cell network.
What does this mean for EV drivers? Plug in, pay, and start charging – using your preferred app. The idea behind these roaming agreements is to give drivers the convenience and flexibility to use whichever app suits their preferences.
Right now, a few leading charging networks have started setting up these agreements to increase driver freedom and choice. The image below displays some of the current active agreements in North America:
Left: ChargePoint agreements with Shell Recharge, FLO, BC Hydro, EVgo, EVConnect, Electric Circuit || Right: FLO agreements (which you can see on the FLO app) with BC Hydro, ChargePoint, Electric Circuit, Shell Recharge, eCharge Network
We’re currently seeing the growth of this capability across the market, and our vision for the future is to see comprehensive roaming agreements that cover the entire EV market. Currently, European Union countries offer an example of roaming at scale. In France, a law from 2017 mandates that any public charger must be accessible by direct payment or roaming agreement at the EV driver’s choice. The Netherlands introduced roaming capabilities in 2011, which has since expanded across the EU. Within North America, California already requires charging companies to have roaming capabilities, and the California Energy Commission has recently been exploring how to advance roaming expansion among industry players. It’s safe to say that roaming opportunities will continue to expand across the US as more drivers go electric and infrastructure continues to grow.
For that next road trip or quick charge while grocery shopping, keep in mind that you have access to more chargers than you might think and can use your favorite app to charge on several different networks.
