Upon the recently launched CPO pricing calculator, we elaborate on the business models!

Leading sales, Martyna had a chance to get to know most of our clients on top of having spoken to hundreds of people from the eMobility environment. She’s gained an in-depth understanding of what’s desired or unwanted in the business and she’s now applying that knowledge in her everyday job.

Martyna Wajda

Charge Point Operator platforms, eMobility Service Providers apps for end-users, Open Standards and facilitations for their integrations, eRoaming, smart charging, connected cars and the list that goes on - software solutions have 

solidified their place in the eMobility ecosystem

 and they’re now making up for a huge part of its proper functioning.

While an ordinary EV driver may not be aware of the amount of software running in the background and facilitating the whole electric car experience, it’s a case well-known to any eMobility operator, of which a great majority came across a rather difficult task of choosing the right digital products at some point.

There is a fair share of such on the market and quite a few available as ready-made products already. Many of them remain very similar in terms of the integrated functionalities and features. This includes open standards facilitations, user management, remote start/stop features, etc. While it’s fantastic to see the technology growth behind the industry, an operator choosing the right software must take into account a broader range of needs than just a great software. Here’s where the situation may get tricky for some of them. Existing solutions are usually offered via strict purchase patterns, which often start and end at SaaS (aka Software as a Service).

Much like in any other situation, SaaS has strong benefits for some of those operating in the eMobility ecosystem, yet it’s not a one-fits-all solution. In order to see why, we’ll elaborate a bit on both.

Software as a Service (SaaS) is a way of delivering software applications to customers over the Internet. Instead of buying and installing software on their computers, customers access the application through a web browser or mobile app. They can then share data and collaborate with other users in real-time. SaaS eliminates the need for expensive hardware and software licenses, meaning businesses save money and time on IT (at least when it comes to the upfront costs). With SaaS, users can access their applications anywhere and anytime, giving them flexibility and control over their data. Additionally, maintenance and upgrades are handled by the provider so users don’t have to worry about keeping their systems up-to-date.

There is however a major drawback of SaaS. Namely, the costs often increase as the business expands, which can make scaling a costly venture.

With that, for small business owners, SaaS can be an invaluable tool for streamlining business processes and increasing productivity – all without breaking the bank. By eliminating costly investments in hardware and software, businesses save money while still getting access to all the features they need.

Unlike SaaS, a software license is a traditional way of purchasing and using software. With this approach, businesses buy a specific number of licenses for the software they need and install it on their systems.The advantages to this approach are many. First and foremost, businesses don’t have to pay ongoing fees for the application. They’re also able to customize their software as needed, and they can use the licenses for any number of users.The main disadvantage of a license is that (sometimes) businesses have to take care of maintenance and upgrades themselves. Additionally, since businesses must pay upfront for the licenses, it can be more expensive to start with than using SaaS.

The biggest difference between SaaS and software license is the cost structure and ownership. With SaaS, businesses pay a monthly or annual fee to access the application. With a software license, businesses purchase a one-time license for the number of users they need and own it outright.

Another difference lies in who is responsible for maintenance and upgrades. With SaaS, the provider is responsible for keeping the software up-to-date. With a license, companies must take care of maintenance and upgrades themselves (it must be noted here, that there are however licensed solutions offering the updates).

We have covered a lot more on the similar topic in our article 

 - check it out to learn more in greater detail.

Having worked with all kinds of CPOs out there, whether small or big, we’ve noticed that said differences can directly affect the businesses depending on their scale or future goals. We have also noted that EV charging software is usually available only via SaaS, which in this particular case results in higher prices as the charging stations are added. In simple terms, the more the charging network grows, the more the monthly fee is bound to increase. While it may not be an obstacle for small operators with no views of siginifiacnt growth, the case gets slightly difficult for those who get to operate numerous sockets.

Given the rapid pace of growth within the eMobility industry and the fact that more and more CPOs are entering the market, at Solidstudio, we strongly believe that the freedom of choice is required when picking up the business model of the software, so that all can have a cost-effective and most optimal solution.

Knowing this and knowing the nuances behind the software purchase models, we decided to make our products available via either SaaS or license and even more… Namely, we give the flexibility to change the the model once either becomes more efficient. That way one can start with SaaS and then move to license once the amount of charging stations under control becomes more expensive to be held under SaaS than it would be with license. With that approach we made sure that our digital products are serving equally well for each and every client.

Since the two concepts of purchasing software may get a bit complicated and unclear at first, we thought it would be best if anyone could compare the specific prices and see the numbers for themselves.

With that in mind, we made available an online tool allowing for exactly that.

 compares any costs you choose with what it looks like with us - whether its licence or SaaS. You can enter whichever amount of charging stations you like (the more stations, the more you save). We also elaborate on some more details in terms of the benefits and drawbacks of each business model.

Demand response

We're shedding the light on what to choose when facing a hosting dilemma.

Magda is the project manager with a knack for some UX/UI design. She’s had a chance to work with many of our clients as well as participating in the creation of our website, which made her well-acquainted with the world of eMobility.

Magdalena Betlińska

The right decision-making in business certainly plays a crucial part in ensuring the most optimal operation. When it comes to software solutions, decisions to be made are coming in nearly every step of the way, whether it’s the project management or the product development itself. We have already covered one dilemma - 

It’s time to now look at another hot topic. 

It’s nothing else than choosing the way a digital product is bound to be stored. As much as it sounds rather straightforward, there’s quite a bit of hustle in making the best decision. The analysis of business requirements must be done in order to choose between two approaches (given it’s reduced down to the choice between on-prem and cloud). Once this has been decided, one needs to find a reliable technology partner who can provide them with services of varying levels according to their preference. The process for selecting an appropriate strategy starts by determining what type or technologies are most suitable based on the organization’s anticipated needs.

Now, let’s take a closer look at what these two really are.

On-premise - what does it mean and how does it work?

On-premise software deployment means that the software is installed and deployed on the customer's own premises, usually within their own organization. The customer is responsible for managing and maintaining the on-premise software system. On-premise systems can be either physical or virtual.

 has allowed for greater flexibility in on-premise software deployments. With virtualization, customers can run multiple virtual machines (VMs) on a single physical server. This can provide significant cost savings compared to traditional on-premise deployments, where each application would require its own dedicated server.

On-premise software deployments are typically used by organizations that have specific needs that cannot be met by other deployment types, such as SaaS. Organizations that use on-premise software deployments typically have in-house IT staff who are responsible for managing and maintaining the system.

On-premise software deployments are typically more expensive than other deployment types, such as Software as a Service (SaaS). This is because the customer is responsible for all of the costs associated with managing and maintaining the system, including hardware, software, and IT staff. Despite the higher upfront cost, on-premise deployments can provide greater control and flexibility for customers. With on-premise systems, customers can customize the software to meet their specific needs and requirements. They are also not subject to the same level of service outages that can occur with cloud-based systems.

On-premise hosting - benefits and disadvantages

In terms of the benefits of the on-premise solutions, there are:

: with an on-premises solution, the organization has full control over its data, as it is stored locally.

: on-premises solutions can be customized to a greater extent than cloud-based solutions, as they are not subject to the same restrictions.

: on-premises solutions can offer greater security than cloud-based solutions, as they are not accessible from the internet.

 an on-premises solution can be used without any internet connection, as all the hardware and software are stored on-site.

When it comes to the disadvantages, we can differentiate:

 on-premises solutions can be more expensive than cloud-based solutions, as they require the purchase of hardware and software, and the hiring of IT staff.

 on-premises solutions can be more complex to set up and maintain than cloud-based solutions.

 on-premises solutions can be less flexible than cloud-based solutions, as they are more difficult to scale up or down.

 implementation is a time-consuming process that takes longer due to the need for server installations.

Cloud computing - what does it mean and how does it work?

In its simplest form, cloud computing is the delivery of software and IT services over the internet. This means that instead of having a program installed on your computer or server, you can access it, or store it, ‘in the cloud’.Cloud computing services are provided by specialist providers (known as ‘cloud providers’), who make their services available to customers via the internet. Customers can then access these services as and when they need to, using any internet-connected device.Some of the most popular cloud computing services include:


 This is where files and data are stored ‘in the cloud’, instead of on your computer or other device. Popular examples include iCloud (used by Apple devices) and Google Drive.

 This is where your files and data are backed up ‘in the cloud’, as well as (or instead of) on your own computer or other device. This can give you an extra layer of protection in case your computer or device is lost, stolen, or damaged.

 This is where software and applications are hosted ‘in the cloud’, instead of on your own computer or server. This can include everything from office suites and project management tools to email and customer relationship management (CRM) systems.

 This is where websites are hosted ‘in the cloud’, instead of on your own web server.

Cloud computing is a model for enabling ubiquitous, convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources (e.g., networks, servers, storage, applications, and services) that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or service provider interaction.

In general, one can oftentimes meet three service models and four deployment models described for cloud computing.

: The capability provided to the consumer is to use the provider’s applications running on a cloud infrastructure. The applications are accessible from various client devices through either a thin client interface, such as a web browser (e.g., web-based email), or a program interface. The consumer does not manage or control the underlying cloud infrastructure including network, servers, operating systems, storage, or even individual application capabilities, with the possible exception of limited user-specific application configuration settings.

: The capability provided to the consumer is to deploy onto the cloud infrastructure consumer-created or acquired applications created using programming languages and tools supported by the provider. The consumer does not manage or control the underlying cloud infrastructure including networks, servers, operating systems, or storage, but has control over the deployed applications and possibly application hosting environment configurations.

: The capability provided to the consumer is to provision processing, storage, networks, and other fundamental computing resources where the consumer is able to deploy and run arbitrary software, which can include operating systems and applications. The consumer does not manage or control the underlying cloud infrastructure but has control over operating systems, storage, deployed applications, and possibly limited control of select networking components (e.g., host firewalls).

The cloud infrastructure is operated solely for an organization. It may be managed by the organization or a third party and may exist on-premises or off-premises.

The cloud infrastructure is made available to the general public or a large industry group and is owned by an organization selling cloud services.

The cloud infrastructure is a composition of two or more clouds (private, community, or public) that remain unique entities but are bound together by standardized or proprietary technology that enables data and application portability (e.g., cloud bursting for load-balancing between clouds).

 The cloud infrastructure is shared by several organizations and supports a specific community that has shared concerns (e.g., mission, security requirements, policy, and compliance considerations). It may be managed by the organizations or a third party and may exist on-premises or off-premises.

Cloud hosting - benefits and disadvantages

When it comes to the benefits of cloud solutions, there are:

 Cloud solutions eliminate the need for these upfront investments, and instead use a subscription-based pricing model. This can lead to significant cost savings, especially for businesses that are growing rapidly.

Cloud solutions are very flexible and can be easily scaled up or down to meet the changing needs of your business.

 Cloud solutions make it easy for employees to share files and work on projects together. This is because the files are stored on a central server that can be accessed by anyone with the proper permissions.

 With on-premise solutions, you are responsible for ensuring that your data is backed up and secure. However, with cloud solutions, this responsibility is typically taken care of by the service provider. This can lead to increased peace of mind and improved security for your business.

However, there are also some disadvantages to using cloud solutions, including:

 When you use a cloud solution, you are relying on the service provider to keep your data safe and secure. This can lead to reduced control over your data and your business’s destiny.

 While cloud providers are typically very reliable, there have been occasional outages that have caused businesses to lose access to their data.

 When you use a cloud solution, you are essentially outsourcing a critical part of your business to a third-party. This can lead to increased dependence on the service provider and can make it difficult to switch providers if you are dissatisfied with the service.

On premise vs cloud - the comparison in short

On-premise software is installed and runs on the company's own servers. This gives the company full control over the software and its data, but it also means that the company is responsible for maintaining and updating the software. On-premise software can be more expensive to set up and run than cloud-based software, but it can offer better security and performance.

Cloud-based software is hosted on the provider's servers and accessed over the internet. This type of software is usually cheaper to set up and run than on-premise software, and it can be easier to scale up or down as needed. However, the company does not have full control over the software or its data, and it is reliant on the provider for maintenance and updates.

On premise vs cloud computing - the breakdown

See our friendly reminder about the importance of software in eMobility services.

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

As the post-conference feeling is still in the air after the International Electric Vehicle Symposium & Exhibition in Oslo, there are also many interesting observations and remarks.

The first that comes to mind is definitely how far has eMobility come in the last few years. And it’s been a long ride filled with innovation and groundbreaking changes implemented one by one. The progress in hardware is astounding to the point where some of the devices could merit a sci-fi label. From new-world chargers powering an electric truck at 1.5 MWh, to electric helicopters looking a bit like flying cars, it’s free to say that eMobility is here to stay and such events are the best proof.


Electric helicopter showcased at EVS35 conference in Oslo

What was also a bit surprising is that amongst hundreds of hardware and business exhibitors, there were very few representatives of the software side behind all of it. And yet, it plays a huge role in making it all possible.

Sure thing, possibly the most important aspect behind the mass EV adoption are the cars and the chargers. It’s what attracts the customer first and makes one join the green side of transportation. However, one must remember that it is the digital products that run the EV show in the background.

Charging networks, especially smart ones (aka the ones that bring the most opportunities to the field), can be deemed “smart” solely because of the backend platforms enabling the data exchange between a car, a charger and energy provider. 

run the entire charging station pools remotely, with the use of such programs in a way that ensures a seamless continuity of operation, even when there’s a high demand or minor issues.

 is still one of the biggest eMobility obstacles, reassurance in a smooth charging networks operation is one of the crucial steps to take in order to dispel doubts about it.

 - the figures that take care of the end-users, EV drivers. Most charging stations can be utilized from start to finish via the use of a dedicated app. Electric vehicle users now can not only start charging and get billed from the comfort of their phones, but also perform actions such as a charger reservation or price optimization depending on a tariff. It’s a facility necessary to promote EVs, giving their owners a peace of mind on longer routes as well as daily commute.

Software also runs the charging from a wider perspective. As there are numerous Charge Point Operators and eMobility Service Providers across the regions, a way has been found to unify their services so that they can serve as many EV drivers as possible. eRoaming comes into play allowing for multi-dimensional connection between operators and EV drivers.

In short, eRoaming can be established via the use of hubs and protocols. A hub here can be an open platform which, after subscribing, can be used by many operators, who operate on common terms. This all happens in such a way that a certain charging pool introduced to a common hub can then be easily used by clients (EV drivers) of different providers. Such a solution allows electric vehicle users to charge their car across cities/countries with limited hussle. The solution is entirely facilitated through a complex cloud-like backend system.

Software plays a big role also in keeping the energy distribution as sustainable as it gets. Through the backend smart charging facilities, charging stations can monitor and adjust electricity used so that the grid remains safe from overrunning its capacities. What’s more it’s also the digital products that, to a great extent, allow for V2G technology. Namely, one of the smart charging features facilitates the process of pushing the extra energy from an EV’s battery back to the grid, ensuring no energy is wasted and rooting the industry deeper in its eco-friendly aspects.

Finally, apart from the charging-maintenance aspects, software reaches further, all the way to its impact on transportation as a whole. Something called connected car data is being used across all types of vehicles for a while now. Connected cars are capable of gathering all sorts of information. From principle information, such as the speed or location, through engine status and malfunctions all the way to details such as whether the door was locked. Information is then used for many ways, from enabling shared transportation and services like Uber, to data used by insurance companies.

It’s free to say that software in eMobility touches all its aspects and makes improvements in all areas.

: As software becomes increasingly important in the development of new electric vehicles, companies that have strong software development teams will be able to bring new products to market faster and more efficiently.

: software can be used to improve the performance of existing electric vehicles. For example, software updates can be used to increase the range of an electric vehicle or to improve its charging time.

: software can be used to develop new chargers that are more efficient and easier to use. This will help to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles.

: software can be used to improve the efficiency of existing charging stations. For example, software updates can be used to increase the speed of charging or to reduce the amount of energy wasted during charging.

: software can be used to develop new apps and services that make it easier for people to use electric vehicles. For example, software can be used to develop an app that helps people find the nearest charging station.

Given all the aspects of the eMobility world enabled by software solutions, it’s pretty evident that electric vehicles are software-dependent, and this is likely to continue in the future. As such, it is important for companies operating in the eMobility space to have a strong software development team, whether in-house or outsourced to ensure the highest level of smoothly-running services.

Why does software matter in eMobility?

Standardize your e-mobility knowledge with our dedicated glossary!

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

Knowing the industry complexity, at Solidstudio, we thought it would be a good idea to launch a series of blog entries on e-mobility fundamentals. The articles are to shed light on some of the topics that may not necessarily be clear to everyone.

Those who spent some time operating within the electro-mobility field already know how multi-dimensional this industry is. It connects many branches from various specializations including both hardware and software. Such interdisciplinarity leads to a very sophisticated and rich vocabulary specific only to the e-mobility. As the trade press is filled with a whole plethora of terms and abbreviations, one must be well familiar with them in order to understand what it’s all about.

We’re going to break down some of the most frequently used phrases.

The related terms will be split into categories for easier navigation.

Internal combustion engine cars (ICE) are vehicles that run on gasoline, diesel or other fuels. This technology has been around for more than a century and is quite mature. These cars work by using the energy stored in the fuel to convert it into kinetic energy. This happens through explosions of various kinds - either precisely controlled or uncontrolled, which then turn the wheels and move the vehicle forward

BEV here stands for battery electric vehicle. They use electricity as their power source. An EV does not need to be plugged in and charged overnight as it can store enough electricity for a limited-length commute. These are relatively new for mass-usage but significantly grow in popularity.

A hybrid car is a vehicle that uses two or more power sources to move the car. The most common type of hybrid car is one that uses an electric motor and a gasoline-powered engine. Hybrid cars are more fuel efficient than regular cars and they produce fewer emissions. Some people choose to buy hybrid cars because they want to help the environment


A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) is a type of hybrid electric vehicle that uses rechargeable batteries, or a plugin, to store energy. PHEVs combine the benefits of gasoline engines and electric motors, which can result in significant fuel economy improvements over traditional vehicles.

. An EVSE unit comprises two parts - a cord set with connector that plugs into your car on one end; either hardwired or pluggable on the other; and a charging station where you connect to an EV outlet. The charger communicates with the car to determine what current will be most efficient. Put simply, an EVSE here would be a charging station and its related protocols managing the charging sessions.


As much as this term is not strictly dedicated to e-mobility it occurs quite frequently in industry papers. OEM stands for:

. In the electromobility world, these are usually car parts manufacturers and those who construct charging hardware.


Fleet electrification is the process of using EV's within a fleet environment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Fleet owners are already utilizing EVs in their fleets, as they offer cost savings and other benefits that cannot be found with traditional internal combustion engine vehicles (ICE). There are four main steps to fleet electrification: EV selection, charging infrastructure, training and support.


Connected cars are capable of gathering all sorts of information. From principle information, such as the speed or location, through engine status and malfunctions all the way to details such as whether the door was locked. For the collection of data, the responsibility holds the vehicle’s electronic control module (ECM). ECM is an embedded system in automotive electronics that controls one or more of the electrical systems or subsystems in a vehicle. It runs via multiple sensors and camera modules and consists of many subsystems which combined together make up what we know as a car's computer. You can learn more about connected cars 

Charging session is simply the time the car spent charging. All the way from the very first plug-in to the payment for finalized charging.

Charging point is nothing but a charging station. Put simply, it’s the hardware that allows EV to be charged. It can be deemed as a charging location.


Charging infrastructure: public vs private

Public EV charging networks are those available to any EV user that happens to be in need of charging a car. It can be:

Rest areas and parking lots along highways, state routes, interstates

Workplaces that allow employees to charge their EV while they work (provided by employers)

Community spaces such as parks or libraries. They usually have a few chargers on site, but they are not intended for EV owners to use

Whereas, private charging infrastructure is made available only to a specific group of individuals. Such scenarios include:

Charging stations for drivers of a specific company/organization/residential complex. They can also be privately owned and only available for residents of particular neighborhoods (e.g., condominiums)

Worth mentioning is also the differentiation between open and closed charging networks. You can learn about it 

EV charging levels are like gas stations for electric cars. There are three EV charging levels: slow, medium, and fast. Slow EV charging can take up to 20 hours, while medium EV charging can take up to 12 hours. Fast EV charging can take as little as 30 minutes. The different EV charging levels allow drivers to choose the best EV charging method for their needs. EV charging levels are important to know because they can help drivers plan out their trips. For example, if a driver knows that they will be driving in a slow EV charging area, they can plan to charge their car at the end of their trip. This will help them avoid running out of battery power while driving. EV charging levels can also help drivers know how much EV charging time they will need for a trip. EV drivers should always check the type of EV charger in their car and where it is located to ensure that they are able to charge at all EV chargers when driving across different locations.


Lithium-ion batteries are the most commonly used battery in electric vehicles, and for good reason. They offer a high energy density that can power a car with increasing speeds up to about 200 mph. Lithium ion batteries use a process known as intercalation where lithium ions move from the negative electrode to the positive one through an electrolyte. When you discharge them, these same charges come back around and vice versa for charging.

Range anxiety is the fear of running out of charge while driving an electric vehicle (EV), and it's one of the main reasons people are hesitant to switch to EVs. While range anxiety is a valid concern, it's becoming less and less of an issue as EV technology improves.

Bidirectional charging is a process that allows EVs to send power back to the grid. This can happen either through a bi-directional charger or by using vehicle-to-grid technology. Bidirectional charging is beneficial because it helps stabilize the grid and manage energy consumption more efficiently. Additionally, it can help EV drivers earn money from energy not used for driving.


An energy supplier is a company that supplies electric power to customers. The company may be an electricity generator, or it may purchase electric power from generators and sell it to consumers. Some energy suppliers also own and operate electric transmission and distribution systems. Energy suppliers are important players in the electric grid because they help ensure that there is enough electric power available.

The electric grid is a network of electric power lines and associated equipment that transmits electric power from suppliers to consumers. The grid includes generators, transmission lines, distribution systems, and loads. The electric grid helps ensure that there is enough electric power available to meet the needs of consumers.

EV Charging Management Software and Services


In short eMSP is a unit that provides charging services directly to EV drivers and manages the payments for charging sessions. It should be free to say that eMSPs are responsible for the end-user care. They deliver the possibility to locate a charging point, get it to run and finalize the transaction. It’s also up to them to establish the charging network monetization ( payment methods, adequate tariffs and real-time billing) and customer satisfaction, ensuring the best client experience. One can say that eMSP’s are responsible for ensuring that products of CPO’s are ready to be used by EV drivers.

To see more about EMSP’s and learn the difference between them and CPO’s, we highly recommend you to take a look at our other article, where we go into more detail. 

Charge Point Operators are responsible for the construction of the charging stations. They are focused on developing and maintaining the charging infrastructure, which includes hardware installation, ensuring proper connectivity of charging points and their service. CPO’s main point of interest is keeping the technicalities up and running and, if needed, reacting to possible malfunctions in real-time. This is specifically important as a vast majority of charging stations should stay available 24/7.

CPO’s also care about the energy management and seamless connectivity to the grid, this includes i.e. energy storing or utilization of renewable sources of energy.

To see more about CPO’s and learn the difference between them and EMSP’s, we highly recommend you to take a look at our other articles, where we go into more detail. 

Common set of policies to guide interoperability among e-mobility service providers / charge point operators. These are APIs created to facilitate charging services. They also operate as a hub, connecting CPOs and eMSPs. Once a company is compatible with open standards, it becomes open for integration with any other comrade being already assigned.

Open Standards are a big topic within the industry as they play a crucial role in charging network unification and availability. We have published a much more in-depth look into what they are and how they work. You can learn about OCPI & OCHP 

SaaS vs license - what works best for eMobility software?

30 NOVEMBER 2022 • 7 MIN READ