For many businesses, offering electric vehicle charging sounds like a growth opportunity until they face the reality of permits, hardware choices, software integration, and long-term maintenance. That complexity is exactly why Charging-as-a-Service (CaaS) is gaining traction.
In this guide, we’ll unpack what CaaS really means, the models behind it, and why it’s becoming the go-to approach for fleets and service providers. You’ll also find answers to the most common EV charging questions your customers are already asking.
What does charging-as-a-service mean?
Charging-as-a-Service is a business model where a specialist provider delivers the entire EV charging solution, including hardware, software, operations, and support, as an ongoing service. Instead of building and managing infrastructure themselves, companies can offer charging under their own brand by licensing a white-label platform.
In practice, CaaS gives businesses and fleet operators:
- A turnkey setup – stations, software, payment handling, and user apps.
- White-label flexibility – operate under their own brand while relying on proven technology.
- End-to-end management – from network monitoring and load balancing to customer billing and maintenance.
For operators, this model removes the technical and operational barriers to entering the EV market. It enables faster rollouts, ensures consistent performance, and creates a scalable way to add charging services without becoming an infrastructure company.
Why EV fleets choose CaaS?
EV fleet operators are under pressure to electrify quickly, but managing charging in-house can be overwhelming. From site analysis and permits to grid connections, hardware procurement, and 24/7 maintenance, each step introduces delays and costs.
That’s why many are adopting fleet charging as a service. With this model, a provider takes on the complexity and delivers:
- Optimized EV charging infrastructure, tailored depot setups, or mobile EV charging units that match route patterns and vehicle mix.
- Smart load management, balancing energy use across chargers to prevent downtime and manage electricity costs.
- White-label platforms that allow operators, utilities, or service providers to offer branded charging services without developing custom software.
- Operational efficiency and reliability with real-time monitoring, automated alerts, and integrated payments keep fleets running smoothly.
For logistics, transit, and corporate fleets, the value is clear: electric vehicles stay charged, operations stay predictable, and the business can scale electrification without bottlenecks.
CaaS models
Charging-as-a-Service isn’t a one-size-fits-all concept. Depending on the use case, businesses and fleet operators can choose from several models, each of which can be delivered through white-label licensed platforms that allow companies to brand the service as their own.
Depot charging for EV fleets
Depot charging is essential for fleets that return to a base, such as logistics, delivery, and transit operators. These setups include:
- High-capacity infrastructure designed around fleet size and route schedules.
- Smart load management to distribute power across multiple vehicles efficiently.
- Data-driven optimization for energy use, downtime, and vehicle availability.
By licensing a white-label platform, fleets can run their own branded charging ecosystem, complete with driver apps, billing systems, and monitoring dashboards, without developing the technology in-house.
Mobile EV charging solutions
Not every fleet or business needs fixed infrastructure. Mobile EV charging enables fast deployment in areas where building permanent infrastructure isn’t feasible.
- Ideal for seasonal or temporary fleet's charging operations.
- Enables on-demand charging during peak usage or route disruptions.
- Reduces the risk of stranded vehicles in low-infrastructure regions.
With white-label CaaS, service providers can operate mobile charging units under their brand, while relying on licensed platforms for payments, roaming, and session tracking.
Workplace and retail CaaS
Beyond fleets, workplaces and retail hubs are adding EV charging to improve customer experience and generate new revenue.
- Employee and visitor charging improves retention and brand positioning.
- Retailers can use charging to increase dwell time and engagement.
- Hospitality and real estate operators gain a competitive advantage by offering branded charging services.
Here, white-label licensing is key: companies can launch branded charging apps, loyalty integrations, and automated billing systems without needing to invest in custom software.
Costs and considerations
When evaluating CaaS, you should think less about “owning equipment” and more about the services and value included. Costs typically fall into three main areas:
- Service fees – predictable charges, often monthly or per charging session, that cover platform access, customer support, and operational services.
- Tariffs and billing– energy costs structured by kWh, time spent charging, or flat session fees. Many platforms allow custom tariff design, giving operators full control over customer pricing.
- Software licensing – a key component in white-label CaaS. You pay for a proven platform that provides apps, dashboards, payments, roaming, and reporting under your own brand.
Example pricing models
- Per-kWh pricing – the most common approach, charging customers based on the electricity consumed.
- Time-based pricing – fees calculated by duration of charging, often used in high-demand areas.
- Flat Session Fees – a simple per-use rate regardless of time or energy consumed.
- Subscription models – monthly or annual plans offering discounted charging, often bundled with fleet management or loyalty programs.
The benefit of CaaS is the elimination of unpredictable overhead. Maintenance, roaming integration, security monitoring, and compliance with international standards are included, reducing risk and freeing operators to focus on growth.
Benefits of CaaS for B2B operators
If you're exploring the topic right now, you should know that CaaS delivers far more than just plugs in the ground. By combining charging infrastructure with a licensed white-label platform, operators unlock new ways to scale, monetize, and future-proof their services.
Faster time-to-market
White-label CaaS platforms let you launch branded EV charging services quickly without building custom software or negotiating with multiple hardware suppliers.
New revenue streams
Whether it’s fleets, workplaces, or retail locations, CaaS enables you to generate income through session fees, subscriptions, or partnerships. Offering EV charging solutions under your own brand helps capture recurring revenue while enhancing customer loyalty.
Simplified fleet electrification
For fleet operators, CaaS eliminates the complexity of designing, deploying, and managing charging networks. With features like route analysis, automated load management, and real-time monitoring, you can reduce operational costs while ensuring uptime.
Scalability and flexibility
CaaS grows with the business. White-label licensing ensures that you can scale capacity, add mobile charging solutions, and integrate new energy programs without overhauling their core systems.
Branded customer experience
Licensed platforms provide apps, portals, and dashboards that carry the operator’s brand, not the provider’s. This keeps customer relationships in-house while delivering seamless charging experiences across fleets and retail networks.
Challenges and Risks of Charging-as-a-Service
While charging-as-a-service simplifies EV adoption, businesses evaluating it often raise key concerns. Addressing these openly helps operators and fleets understand the real value of this model.
Operational costs
Will ongoing service fees outweigh the benefits?
With CaaS, operators avoid hidden expenses like repair, EV charging maintenance, software updates, and energy balancing. Automated load management reduces electricity costs, while predictive monitoring keeps stations reliable and available.
Infrastructure control
Do companies lose control of their charging network?
White-label CaaS ensures full branding and tariff control. You can deploy and manage EV charging infrastructure under your own name, set custom prices, and still benefit from outsourced monitoring, reporting, and customer support.
High capital investment
Isn’t deploying EV charging infrastructure too expensive?
CaaS removes the barrier of high capital investment by delivering ready-to-use EV charging solutions. You can scale usage as needed without committing to long construction projects.
Seamless EV transition
Will fleets face downtime or disruption during electrification?
CaaS supports a seamless EV transition by combining depot charging, mobile charging solutions, and energy management. Fleets benefit from route analysis, automated scheduling, and service-level agreements that guarantee uptime.
Technology lock-in
What if the provider’s system becomes limiting?
Some platforms restrict flexibility, making it difficult to switch later. White-label licensing reduces this risk by ensuring data portability, open standards, and interoperability across suppliers.
Market uncertainty
Could changing policies or energy prices impact ROI?
Yes, energy volatility and regulation shifts are real risks. The advantage of CaaS is that pricing models and infrastructure capacity can be adjusted dynamically, helping businesses stay competitive as conditions evolve.
Market outlook and future trends
The demand for charging-as-a-service (CaaS) is expanding rapidly as electrification shifts from pilot projects to large-scale rollouts. Businesses, fleet operators, and energy providers are increasingly looking for solutions that combine EV charging infrastructure, scalable software, and flexible service models.
Growing market size
Analysts project steady growth for the EV charging market, with CaaS gaining momentum as a preferred approach. Its appeal lies in lowering entry barriers and enabling faster adoption of EV fleet management and seamless electrification strategies.
Integration with energy and grid services
Future-ready platforms will play a role beyond charging. Expect stronger integration with:
- Grid service programs – where charging networks provide demand response and flexibility to utilities.
- Renewable energy sources – pairing solar and storage with CaaS to reduce energy costs and environmental impact.
- Balanced load management – solving grid constraints while optimizing fleet schedules.
AI and data-driven operations
Artificial intelligence will drive the next wave of efficiency in CaaS by enabling:
- Vehicle route analysis to predict charging needs.
- Predictive maintenance to reduce downtime and service costs.
- Dynamic pricing based on grid conditions and demand.
White-label as the default
As the sector matures, white-label licensing will become the standard model. Service providers, utilities, and fleet operators gain flexibility to launch under their own brand while relying on robust, proven technology. This approach ensures scalability and helps businesses differentiate in an increasingly competitive EV landscape.
Is CaaS the right solution for my fleet?
Not every fleet has the same needs, but CaaS can be a strong fit if:
- You operate vehicles that return to a central base (depot charging is cost-efficient and predictable).
- Your routes require flexibility, and mobile EV chargers can reduce downtime.
- You want to avoid managing repair, maintenance, and infrastructure upgrades directly.
- Your business needs a faster path to electrification without long construction timelines.
- You want to offer charging under your own brand using a white-label platform.
Fleets with complex schedules, high daily mileage, or multiple depots especially benefit from CaaS because the model combines energy management, route optimization, and guaranteed uptime.
Take the next step toward scalable EV charging
Charging-as-a-Service is becoming an interesting alternative for fleets, utilities, and service providers to deliver reliable EV charging without the complexity of building everything in-house.
With Solidstudio’s white-label CPMS and eMSP platforms, you can launch a fully branded charging network, scale operations with confidence, and keep full control over your customer experience.
See how our solutions can support your transition into eMobility. Book a meeting with our consultants today and start building your charging service on a platform designed for growth.
Common questions about Charging-as-a-Service
What does charging-as-a-service mean?
It’s a model where a provider delivers EV charging as a managed service. Businesses license a white-label platform to offer charging under their own brand, while the provider handles infrastructure, software, and maintenance.
How big is the CaaS market?
The market is growing alongside global EV adoption. Analysts forecast strong year-on-year growth as fleets electrify, and CaaS becomes a preferred model for utilities, service providers, and mobility companies entering the EV charging space.
Can I drive with a service battery charging?
This phrase typically refers to driving while a service battery is providing auxiliary power. In the EV context, vehicles run on their traction battery, while charging takes place when parked at a station or connected to a mobile charger.
Can you make money owning an EV charging station?
Yes. Revenue comes from session fees, subscriptions, retail partnerships, and grid service programs. Many providers use white-label EV charging solutions to set custom tariffs, integrate payments, and keep customer relationships in-house.
What is the 80% rule for EV charging?
Most EV experts recommend charging up to 80% for daily use. This preserves battery health, shortens charging sessions, and keeps charging stations available for more users.
What is the cost of EV charging service?
Costs vary depending on the model. Businesses typically pay service fees, tariffs per kWh or per minute, and software licensing for white-label platforms. This eliminates hidden expenses like maintenance, upgrades, and system monitoring.