See the second lesson of our comprehensive e-mobility training on OICP!

Having a chance to work with well-established startups from the e-mobility sector, Bartek gained invaluable knowledge on the industry requirements. On his path, he was given the opportunity to work on numerous EMSP applications and CPO platforms. Bartek is also our Head of Delivery.

Bartłomiej Łazarczyk

 is happy to introduce you to the Open Standards course led by our e-mobility expert - Bartlomiej. Throughout the following lessons, we will uncover the technicalities and functionalities of the OICP - a protocol developed by 

 - as well as business aspects for e-Mobility Service Providers and Charge Point Operators.

Such a knowledge-pack should serve everyone operating in the e-mobility industry as it unfolds the most crucial aspects of navigating through Open Standards utilization and many more!


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Open InterCharge Protocol Training - Lesson 2

In this lesson, let's make an introduction into the business side of Hubject platform and processes that are behind. Even though from a developer perspective it may not seem to be important, it's good to know that and be aware of Hubject platform specifics.

Probably the most important business process is onboarding. It may differ a little bit between CPO and EMP so we will cover them both separately. According to Hubject, the typical onboarding may take from 10 weeks up to 12 weeks.

The first phase in onboarding is the pre-contract phase. In this phase, you will share preliminary information, questionnaires, security requirements before signing a contract. Here you will also define your operator ID, generate CSR and white-list your server IP. Then, we have an onboarding start phase. It's basically a continuation of the pre-contract phase, but here you will receive RFID cards from Hubject for test purposes. The QA phase is all about implementation of services, configuration and testing integration. Then you will need to create a production environment and perform final tests with Hubject. That is a mandatory step before starting integrating with the Hubject platform. The last phase is the offer phase; as a CPO you may create an offer for other EMPs with detailed service specification and pricing.

Onboarding EMP is very similar to onboarding CPO, there are just small little differences. In the pre-contract phase you will define your provider ID, as well as generate CSR and whitelist your server IP. In the onboarding start phase you are responsible for sending RFID cards to Hubject for test purposes. The QA phase and production ready phase are almost the same. Here you will implement services, configure them, perform integration tests, prepare production environment and perform final tests with Hubject. The last subscription phase is specific to EMP. Here you can subscribe to services offered by other CPOs. This step is mandatory in order to use the charging infrastructure offered by Hubject network. Normally, you as an EMP would like to subscribe to as many CPOs as possible, but be aware that each CPO may have different details, requirements and pricing for the same service type.

Service offers are created by CPO; they are used for modeling contract-based relationships between EMP and CPO partners. Service offer may be different depending on the CPO and can include individual details of some operations; i.e. different pricing per charging.

 The first one means that the offer is available to all EMP partners that wish to subscribe to it. In other words, any EMP that wishes to subscribe to it, must agree on common terms defined by CPO. The second one is a bilateral offer and it means that you can set a specific offer between EMP and CPO. That's very useful if you have an individual contract between those two and you still would like to use Hubject as your main communication platform.

In order to communicate, each service must be configured in the admin panel. For example: sometimes Hubject needs to communicate with your backend platform in order to perform some operations; i.e. authorization. Differently to OCPI, in OICP there is no endpoint structure or discoverability included in the standard. Only the message format is known to everyone. In order to start integrating with other partners, you need to provide some values i.e. service URL. Of course, each service may have different options to set. As you can see on this example, authorization service may have an option to specify whether you would like to process requests in online mode.

From EMP perspective, you would like to subscribe to service offers. In other words, you would like to have some kind of contract between you and CPO, in order to start using their charging infrastructure and offer it to your customers. That's exactly what is being done in the process of subscribing to service offers. In the Hubject platform you will see multiple offers for different services from different CPOs. Each offer will have individual terms, conditions and pricing. You need to take a look at the details and decide whether you can agree on them. If each partner implements a given service and EMP would agree on CPO terms, then both of them can start integration by subscribing to service offer.

Security mechanism is rather simple. Any partner’s backend platform will communicate with Hubject via a secure connection. Security is based on SSL certificates and IP white-listing. SSL tunnel guarantees confidentiality via encryption, integrity via checksums and authenticity by using digital signatures and certificates. Reverse proxy will handle central https encryption and authentication of all incoming connections. Both reverse proxy and firewall provide access control by using white-lists which grant access only to the specific IP addresses.

In order to start integration between CPo and EMP, CPO must provide a pricing for an authorization service, then EMP may subscribe to the service and therefore its customers can use the charging infrastructure of a given CPO. There are four different types of pricings.

The first one and the most common one is standard pricing. It's a one simple price for all stations. It can be for example per hour, per minute or per kilowatt hours. Then, we have a pricing product which allows us to create multiple pricing products for stations i.e. we may have different pricing per sub-CPOs or different pricing per charging speed. Then, we have flexible pricing which is a slightly more complex version of pricing products. It allows us to create a set of complex business rules when it comes to the pricing. For example: we may define different pricing per EVSE, per location, per time or the combination of all above. It's also worth mentioning that EMP can pull pricing products in the same format; so it is understandable by both sides. Any pricing change needs to be presented before, for at least 42 days according to Hubject. Also, it's not recommended to change pricing very often, because EMP in the past agreed on some specific terms and conditions and now it needs to agree on the new one. The last type of pricing is dynamic pricing, which allows us to change pricing on a daily basis, but it's not so simple. It is allowed only for the bilateral offer between CPO and EMP because both sides need to agree on specific terms and conditions and their implementation must be prepared for that.

Now we're gonna talk about solutions offered by Hubject, but which are not strictly connected with OICP protocol. The first one is intercharge Direct. In general, this solution allows customers to perform a direct payment to the CPO, without having any additional contract with EMP. This product is mostly intended for CPOs, as it increases their customer base. The flow looks very simple: the customer scans QR code at the charge point, then CPO specific website is loaded, the customer can then choose a specific charging product and payment provider after, that you may agree on terms and conditions, perform a final payment and then the charging session can be started. Of course, as a CPO you also need to perform some additional actions in order to configure that. Especially, you need to have a paypal or stripe payment provider account and also upload data needed for white labeling like logos or some custom messages.

Hubject also offers another service called intercharge Settlement. This service is supposed to automate the settlement process between CPO and EMP. It is built on the CDR Rating process, which calculates the final settlement based on product tariff and CPO tax configuration. Hubject will automatically initiate bank account transaction from EMP to CPO and create invoice. Of course, the first transaction from CPo to EMP is also possible in case anything goes wrong.

Of course, there are some requirements to be met. At first, you need to sign additional intercharge Settlement agreement. Then you need to have a bank account at a very specific bank EXFS, then you need to be fully onboarded on the Hubject platform and finally you need to successfully pass the validation process.

Checklist - Core CPO platform requirements

Open standards can be a game changer for both eMSP's and CPO's. Here is why.

Being an eMobility leader in various projects across multiple startups, Piotr was responsible for OCPI and OCPP integration as well as EMP and CPO platforms development. With extensive expertise in the open standards field and eMobility tech solutions, he is leading teams of experienced developers and contributing with invaluable knowledge and experience.

Piotr Majcher

The initial stages of technologies lead to various types of solutions addressing the same problem. Each company develops a different approach. At the beginning of the XXth century, when commercial electricity had come to the mainstream, multiple energy producers offered power supply with miscellaneous frequencies and voltages. As time passed, governments began to impose certain standards on suppliers. This standard-setting led to the joint effort to create the first power grid.

From the first power plant to the moment when all energy providers linked to the same network, decades passed. This was only possible because they took a mutual direction.

 - literally and figuratively. With global warming, exhaustion of solid fuel resources, and lifestyle changes, companies face the challenge of how to provide accessible new charging forms of green power.

Now, as the e-mobility era is here, we are on the same page, like we were at the very beginning of the XXth century. We already have plenty of providers: eMobility Service Providers (eMSP) and Charge Point Operators (CPO) - two substantial sides of the e-Mobility world. One of the main challenges ahead of this market is to deliver the best user experience, at possible minimum resources use. As usual, user experience is a matter of well-designed apps, customer support, and simplicity itself. But there is an additional fact. End-users need to be able to charge cars at any charging station without being concerned about accessibility. The issue is - having the contract signed with the Charge Point Operators recharging point service. How to achieve this? Partners must take the same course, and this is where the standards start to play a major role. There are two possibilities: Open Charge Point Interfaces or Open Intercharge Protocols. What are the benefits?

The main goal of the Open Charge Point Interface (OCPI) is to allow electric vehicle drivers to charge their cars at any station. OCPI defines a set of modules that cover most cases the driver may need. There are two technical modules that are used to establish connectivity between two platforms using OCPI: Credentials module and Versions module. Other modules are strongly related to real-life use cases. These would be:

Locations - module responsible for sharing information about the Charge Points, like address, geolocation, real-time data about the current status, electrical parameters.

Sessions & Commands - module allows the end-user to start the charging session and be informed about the current status of the charging session.

OCPI is an open standard, and what may be very important for the adopters - it’s very flexible. For instance, CPOs (Charge Point Operators) may implement only the Locations module (apart from two technical mandatory modules) when only sharing Point Of Interest data. With no necessary exposing the eRoaming functionality. But the ultimate goal for many CPOs is to allow end-users to charge their car. In that case, many more modules need to be implemented (Sessions, Commands, CDRs). Some others are optional, even for the eRoaming (Tokens, Tariffs), and that depends on the agreement between certain allies. It’s in terms of how financial flow and security is modeled.

The biggest advantage of having OCPI implemented is that it’s almost a one-time investment. The initial effort is significant, as it might be challenging to transfer internal models and processes to the OCPI. But once it’s done for a partner, it opens the company for quick and cost-effective integration with a lot of other associates.

A bit different concept is proposed by the Berlin-based innovative company - Hubject. Hubject developed its own API (OICP) covering almost the same cases as OCPI. There is one extra. Hubject also acts as a hub. It connects CPOs and eMSPs. Once a company is connected to the Hubject platform, it becomes open for integration with any other comrade being already assigned. That’s a huge advantage because the integration is done once, with one platform, and of course it becomes profitable when it comes to an alliance with multiple partners.

Yet another advantage of the Open Intercharge Protocol is that it’s quite easy to implement. Like with most protocols, the main challenge is to synchronize our internal models with the standard one. What is comforting with OICP - there is not too much to implement. It depends on the level of integration we want to achieve, but it’s enough to implement about 5 HTTP calls to expose eRoaming through the Hubject platform.

Having in mind multiple historical examples, it may be difficult to be a part of a developed market without following widely adopted standards. Initially, it may need some additional effort. But when the standard is implemented, our platform becomes open for the whole market 

. Without it, we would need to spend weeks or months doing the integration with each partner separately.

OICP and OCPI protocols - open standards for CPOs and eMSPs

Anchor points on becoming Charge Point Operator. Click to learn more.

After founding Solidstudio, Pawel was an originator in terms of pursuing expertise in eMobility. With the build-up of a solid knowledge-base on industry’s needs & wants, he now keeps a close eye on products’ development. He’s also hugely responsible for the business’ side and designs the business models for our products.

Paweł Małkowiak

The e-mobility market is booming but still enigmatic in terms of processes between market participants or taken roles and available standards. In general, we can distinguish two sides of the charging ecosystem - being on the user-side eMobility Service Providers and Charge Point Operators providing devices and software to manage the infrastructure. In this piece, we address the part of the market responsible for deploying and managing charging points (also called charging stations).

Charge Point Operator or Charging Station Operator is responsible for providing, managing, and setting the charging infrastructure for the e-mobility industry. A CPO business operates a network of charging points - the hardware devices and future-oriented software. The value lies in connecting smart charging equipment with eMobility Service Providers. A CPO assures the network works seamlessly. This includes diagnostics, maintenance, price setting, and Point of interest (POI) data management.

On the operators' side is to provide available, steady, and 24/7 functioning EV chargers. Managing systems need to real-time report any malfunction that occurs with the device. And if possible, automatically fix it.

The matter of real-time also applies to software platforms. Necessary information delivery for adequate decision-making will help to shape operations, business, and technical statistics analysis. Even when the service does not assume the large scale, automation is the core in reducing the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). Automated processes should hassle-freely handle transactional and technical concerns without engaging employees.

Charging Stations require sufficient energy supply and distribution. Smart management during peak hours, involving renewables and storing battery power, reduces capital and operating costs. Identifying areas for cost optimization and investigating user’s expectations will help balance business processes. This market will continue to grow, for now, with a focus on segmentation, preferences, and habits, the hidden (greener) Holy Grail is possibly up to grasp.

How does the Charge Point Operator platform work?

First, we need to explain that an Operator’s role range may vary. In some cases, CPO owns the infrastructure, provides connectivity, and can supply only one side of the ecosystem. Some of the CPOs act like 

 . Since it’s a mutual interest, they offer other eMSPs access to the charging infrastructure.

To explain the charging ecosystem’s general flow, let’s place CPO as a separate service - hardware and software provider. In this scenario, CPO exposes access to the charging network and relies on eMSPs.

CPO exposes charging network with tailored API. In this scenario, each new linking with a partner follows the provided documentation and matches eMSPs API. This approach is time-consuming and limiting in terms of fast integration and scaling. Via custom API, we link two models and two teams working separately. The matter lies in the charging options provided, and the service eMSP wants to offer. The integration via custom API takes months. Assuming that each operator offers only integration via its API, connecting with each requires substantial resources and time.

However, there are two faster ways to connect and open the charging network.

 follow the general principle in the e-mobility world, providing an open and accessible network to EV drivers. Charge Point Operator can expose charging network to any eMSP in a standardized way, enabling faster integration and scaling. With Open Charge Point Interface (OCPI), managed by 

 , the linking between partners can be done within several days. Open Standards, besides, provide transparent information to consumers about charging locations and prices. Moreover, they are developed and updated by a strong community 

following technical innovations and market requirements

 . Also, as a part of the ultimate goal, Open Standards are free to use. By simplifying, standardizing, and harmonizing charging networks, standards are an integral part of rapid e-mobility growth.

With one contract owned Charging Stations become exposed to thousands of new users and eMobility Service Providers. Thanks to the Open Intercharge Protocol (OICP), integration with a hub like GIREVE or Hubject opens the broadest spectrum of possibilities. E-roaming networks are the desired state of EV charging cross-border arrangement.

Being integrated with a hub does not limit the other possibilities. Charge Point Operator’s platform can be exposed at the same time to the hub, and eMobility Service Provider via the most commonly applied (and supported) OCPI standard.

What are the Charge Point Operator platform’s features?

At the most basic level, every Charge Point Operator platform should provide via admin panel pricing, reporting and billing solution, remote charging stations management, and smart energy management.

The comprehensive backend system allows CPO to 

 for the charging session. Rates can be modeled and verified at the admin panel. The charging session’s price can be specified on the total charged kilowatt-hours, the duration, or a blend of other circumstances (additional parking fee, time & day of the week). The B2B contract between CPO and eMSP includes all tariffs and is invoiced at the end of the billing period. The price that is exposed to the final user (EV owner) depends on the individual eMSP price management system.

, CPOs should easily handle all station-related administration and control tasks. The admin panel should provide a view of the billing history, modify charging prices, remote management of chargers, and with advanced automation resolve common issues.

 allows to reduce the risks of the station and network overload, ensure EVs are charged securely and economically optimized. The highest charging switch can be limited from the admin panel. For example, developing a feature for dynamic load management (DLM) allows setting maximum capacity for several charging points and diffuses the load within the single one.

How can Charge Point Operators optimize their business?

Focus on operational advantage, staying up-to-date with the most recent protocols’ releases, smart energy administration, monitoring, and analyzing will provide excellent scalability and interoperability. The reliable charging infrastructure management system, easy to maintain and open for eMSPs boosts network scaling and ROI. In turn, an e-roaming platform exposes charge points in the fastest and most efficient way. Fortunately, one approach does not eliminate the possibility of benefiting from the other. However, responsibility for the maintenance of charging points remains on the CPO's side. Automation and the ability to make quick, ideally remote fixes, responsiveness will have a significant role in the prosperity of one's performance.

Direct and indirect recipients of CPO services depend on the availability of the entire operational infrastructure. This includes real-time hardware monitoring to identify and fix malfunctions before the beneficiary - or even the CPO - is aware of them. Automated maintenance reduces costs of in-field technical repairs.

It’s good to make sure the CPO platform offers smart energy management control. The entire energy flow across the EV charging system secures energy that is delivered at the right time to the right stock at the lowest cost.

The ability to scale is critical to keep up with the booming growth of the EV market. It’s not just about placing devices in an accessible locality but also about providing back-end infrastructure ready to connect with new partners and render the service.

For long-term operations, interoperability will be essential. On the CPO side lies the responsibility for delivering the 

 , allowing easy integration of any charger. Compatibility with protocols and standards like OCPP, OCPI, OICP secures smooth backend operations’ communications.

When considering investing in Charging Infrastructure, the above issues are worth verifying whether the available solutions on the market meet our expectations. Depending on the scale of the planned activity, our needs will differ.

How to efficiently manage interoperability?

Charge Point Operators are the foundation of the eMobility growth. Analyzing and improving EV charging operations leads to better decision-making. In consequence, it maximizes business profits and eliminates unnecessary costs ensuring the best EV charging experience. Regarding investments, this varies based on which market we plan to operate in. Both governmental plans and local units support the development of charging networks. Thus it is worth spending time and finding out what are the possibilities and criteria for obtaining subsidies. The shape of the budget may be subject to modification, and new approaches may arise.

With the advantage of having e-mobility experts, at Solidstudio we took on board the daring challenge of developing a CPO platform on our own. Knowing the industry's nuances, we made sure that the product we developed would suit a whole plethora of needs that various clients may search for. Thus, our CPO platform can be installed either in any client’s infrastructure or as supported by Solidstudio.

Our platform comes with various necessary functionalities that concur to an effortless charging stations management. The core features consist of:

There are more functionalities planned, they will be gradually announced.

 is fully customizable, ready to be designed as per client’s requests. Supplementary features (which are not within the license, such as the new standards implementation) can be available to purchase as an add-on or upgrade.

How to become Charge Point Operator and manage the CPO platform?

Download our comprehensive PDF and learn about the pricing structures in e-mobility

Although it would seem rather straightforward, the pricing system within the EV charging environment extends further than just to the payments made by electric vehicles right after they charge their car.

Being such an interconnected network of mutual dependencies between numerous involved parties, e-mobility charging services require various levels of settlements.


It must be noted that it takes a few units to build up and manage a charging network. From 

, which manufacture the hardware side of required components (connectors, chargers, cables, etc), through 

, which are responsible for the backend management, all the way to 

, which determine the final user (here: EV driver) experience, there is a whole network of reliabilities.

Put simply and briefly, CPO’s are to establish billing connections with both EVSE and eMSP’s, in order to put the entire charging formation in place, while ensuring all parties receive transparent information and clear instructions.

To facilitate it, there are multiple types of pricings and contracts, some of which allow for complex, dynamic price models. Such undertaking is required so that eMSP’s can shape their end-users pricing often based on certain conditions, leaving the rates flexible.


Interoperability - the core of proper functioning

It should go without saying, that managing a pool of charging stations - oftentimes distributed across entire countries/regions - is not an easy task to handle and can only be achieved via advanced levels of interoperability and clear, unified procedures.

Open Standards are the chief example of how this can be achieved and maintained. Through the utilization of API’s like OICP the flow of information can be sustained in a transparent manner. This allows for a seamless communication and can facilitate the management of a vast majority of proceedings remotely, which comes in handy while developing a state-wide network, especially when there are numerous parties involved.


Knowing the behind-the-scenes nuances and arrangements, we prepared a comprehensive paper portraying the pricing structure within the e-mobility industry. Those who are willing to learn more about tariffs within charging services, should definitely find it useful.

Download our free paper and broaden your horizons with some great knowledge!

Open InterCharge Protocol Training. Lesson 2

03 FEBRUARY 2022 • 10 MIN READ