Check out the new series of articles about the software migration in the EV charging business.

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

It’s probably every year that we get to hear that it’s the most technology-progressing year to date. And it’s most probably always true, given the galloping pace of the tech industry worldwide. Staying up-to-date with the latest technological advancements has become more important than ever before. The emergence of new hardware, software, and AI solutions has created new opportunities for businesses to streamline their operations, enhance customer experiences, and gain a competitive edge. However, the momentum of innovation in the tech industry has become so unparalleled, that businesses which fail to adapt and evolve with the times are bound to fall behind.

With that, in times so inundated with newly-introduced breakthroughs and changes of direction, one must put a great effort to stay afloat. This includes making often gnarly decisions on what’s the best for the company here and now. Entrepreneurs are left with the need to carefully evaluate which technologies are relevant to their specific needs, plan for their adoption, and ensure that their teams are trained to use them effectively. Those who do not take proactive steps to embrace the latest technological advancements risk being left behind by their competitors.

All this is highly applicable to anyone using any type of software. Those who run their business with the use of digital technology, will at some point face the intricate case of software migration.

It’s becoming an especially daring task once the aforementioned software manages an entire charging network reckoning thousands of charging points.

Software migration in EV charging business - what drives the need?

The growth of electric vehicles has fueled the development of software solutions aimed at streamlining the EV charging business. Software developers are creating innovative applications that enable EV drivers to find and reserve charging stations, pay for their charging sessions, and monitor their charging status remotely. These software solutions are also helping charging station operators to manage their charging infrastructure more efficiently by providing real-time data on charging usage, optimizing energy distribution, and identifying maintenance needs. Additionally, software is being developed to integrate EV charging with smart grids, allowing for better load management and the use of renewable energy sources.

With ongoing advancements in software development, the EV charging business is becoming more user-friendly, reliable, and environmentally sustainable. However, there are some obstacles on the path to achieving the optimum pitch. Here’s where continuous upgrades, including software migration, strike as a must.

Software migration involves transferring an existing software system from one environment to another, such as switching operating systems, hardware platforms, or programming languages. This is typically necessary when organizations need to update or replace their software to keep up with their evolving needs and the latest technology. Software migration can be a complex and challenging process, and it requires careful planning, testing, and execution to ensure a successful outcome.

Within the eMobility ecosystem one can observe a vivid differentiation between Charge Point Operators and the software providers, leaving some of the crucial data in the latter hands. Meanwhile it's the CPOs that happen to know the industry best and experience first-handedly how the needs are changing.

Prime example of such change is the volume of chargers that comes to the equation and the legacy tech stack. 

(Legacy tech stack refers to a set of outdated technologies, tools, and programming languages that are still in use in various software applications and systems. These technologies were popular in the past but have become obsolete or are no longer widely supported by their respective vendors

While legacy tech stack may still work, it can create various issues for businesses, including security vulnerabilities, higher maintenance costs, and a lack of scalability

). In the eMobility business, legacy tech stack (that’s still in use by some) was designed to serve a couple hundred charging stations at best. Nowadays, some operators have thousands of chargers within one network and require a whole new level of adjustability from the software solutions that are used to manage the network.

As software continues to evolve, outdated versions become less reliable and less secure. Newer software solutions offer upgraded features and enhanced security, making them a more enticing option for users. Businesses must adapt to stay competitive in the ever-changing digital landscape.

To focus strictly on how that’s driven within the eMobility industry, we distinguish two prime areas within which one needs to decide on the pros and cons of software upgrades. The first involves all the rudimentary arguments regarding the digital products themselves. The second requires some more thoughts and is touching upon the strategic aspects of running a business.

Product-based arguments in favour of software migration

As briefly mentioned before, the first area that needs to be considered involves all the aspects relating to a certain digital product as such. This mostly includes the rough technicalities. As for the EV charging software, there’s a few main points to deliberate over:

In addition to the above, there are several other reasons why businesses in the EV charging industry may need to consider software migration. For example, outdated software may be incompatible with new hardware, making it difficult to integrate with the latest charging infrastructure. Additionally, new regulations and industry standards may require businesses to update their software to newer versions.

But for now let’s focus on the 4 main points.

As the EV charging industry continues to evolve, businesses may find that their current software lacks essential features that are now in demand. For instance, customers may expect to have access to real-time information on charging station availability and pricing, as well as the ability to reserve and pay for charging sessions through a mobile app. If businesses fail to provide these features, they risk losing customers to competitors with more advanced software solutions.

Outdated software in the EV charging industry may be unstable and prone to errors, leading to system crashes and downtime. The main issue that can cause major inaccuracies in the case of EV charging software is the lack of stable options for scaling up. As businesses grow and add more charging stations to their infrastructure, operators must ensure that the software can handle a higher number of sockets or clients without experiencing system failures. For instance, if a software solution can only handle a certain number of charging stations or users, it can become overwhelmed and crash when businesses try to add more chargers to their network. Upgrading to new software with more advanced features and scalable options can help businesses avoid system failures, reduce downtime, and ensure the smooth operation of their charging infrastructure as they grow.

When businesses in the EV charging industry experience technical issues with their outdated software, they may have to deal with lengthy waiting times for ticket resolution. For example, if a charging station becomes disconnected from the software system, it may be difficult for businesses to diagnose and fix the problem without technical support from the software vendor. In some cases, businesses may have to wait for days or even weeks for a ticket resolution, leading to increased downtime and lost revenue. By upgrading to new software, businesses can receive faster and more reliable technical support, reducing waiting times and minimizing disruptions to their charging infrastructure.

Outdated EV charging software may also fail to meet legal requirements set by regulatory bodies, leading to compliance issues and potentially even fines or legal action. Regulations around EV charging infrastructure can vary by region and may include requirements related to data privacy, accessibility, and environmental impact. If businesses are using outdated software that does not meet these requirements, they risk running afoul of regulatory bodies and facing legal consequences. By upgrading to newer software solutions that are compliant with relevant regulations, businesses can ensure they are operating within legal guidelines and avoid any potential legal or financial repercussions.


Business-strategic arguments in favour of software migration

The second side of the decision-making process involves less straightforward and transparent aspects. It goes beyond the easily-measured technicalities and reaches the more risky business-strategic field. While it may look intimidating to some of the business owners, the right decision within this sphere may lead to significant highs and prosperous growth. Below, we list some of the points to consider when assessing the strategic aspects.

In the EV charging business, data ownership is a major concern, and it may be a good reason for businesses to migrate to a different software provider. With outdated software, businesses may not have complete control over their data, and may even face legal issues related to data ownership and privacy. This especially happens with a SaaS business model. Given the amount of data held by Charge Point Operators and eMobility Service Providers (often including sensitive payment details), companies may have specific policies regarding the storage and usage of their data, and may not be comfortable hosting it on a third-party cloud without proper security measures. By migrating to a new software provider, businesses can ensure that they have complete control over their data, comply with relevant data protection regulations, and host their data in a secure and compliant manner.

Risk assessment is a critical aspect of any business, and the EV charging industry is no exception. One of the most crucial components within a CPO's infrastructure is the software that controls their charging stations. However, this software is often owned and controlled by a third party, leaving CPOs exposed to potential risks that they may have little control over. Investing millions in a network of chargers only amplifies these risks, making it essential for CPOs to assess the potential hazards and implement mitigation strategies. One solution could be to migrate to proprietary software or purchase a license to reduce dependency on third-party providers and gain more control over their systems. By taking proactive measures to address potential risks, CPOs can minimize disruptions and protect their business from financial and reputational harm.

Upgrading to new software can provide businesses with access to cutting-edge features and functionality, giving them an edge over their competitors. By contrast, using outdated software can limit a business's ability to innovate and differentiate themselves in the marketplace. Old software can sometimes prevent upgrades and new features from being added unless every other user has them too (this usually happens with SaaS solutions). This can leave all the businesses in the industry with the same limited solution, reducing the opportunity for a competitive edge. By assessing the available software options and migrating to a software provider that allows for custom changes within a unique IP, businesses can gain an even greater competitive edge. By owning the unique IP, a CPO can ensure that any customization or changes made to the software remain their intellectual property and are not freely used by others. Purchasing a license for a proprietary software solution can provide a CPO with full control over their software and the ability to customize it to their specific needs, without worrying about other users in the industry having access to the same features.

To remain competitive in today's fast-paced technological world, it is essential for businesses to stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in software, hardware, and AI solutions. This is especially true for those in the EV charging industry, as software solutions are continuously being developed to streamline EV charging and make it more environmentally sustainable. However, with the rapid pace of technological innovation, businesses must also be willing to adapt and evolve with the times. Software migration, although a complex and challenging process, is necessary for companies to keep up with evolving needs and the latest technology. By doing so, businesses can ensure they are meeting the requirements of their customers, complying with regulations, and maintaining a competitive edge.

eMobility Fundamentals

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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

Recently, even limited access to the Internet seems what might be enough to get bombarded with the latest breakthroughs and leaps forward in terms of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its progression into formerly AI-pristine spheres. While vigorous debates about its potentially hazardous nature ensue all over social media, AI creators and enthusiasts launch more of said tools into the digital world, leaving them there to stay.

As much as it only recently became such a big topic (especially one that made it outside of the purely-tech environment), Artificial Intelligence has been powering a good chunk of the technology known for years. From autonomous vehicles to facial recognition software to voice assistants like Alexa or Siri, AI has morphed from a niche concept into something we get used to using on a daily basis. Even when browsing the web, AI is used to customize the experience and provide everyone with tailored ads. So, while there are plenty of legitimate worries about its potential misuse in the future, it is undeniable that AI has become an everlasting part of our lives.

At this point many people can't help but wonder just how far AI has evolved since its conception, and where it can go from here. As of now, many AI tools are still being developed to help businesses automate mundane tasks or help them achieve new heights in customer service. While this is an incredible use for AI, one could imagine that the possibilities are more far-reaching than what we know today.

What really is Artificial Intelligence? And how does AI work?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a branch of computer science that focuses on creating intelligent machines that are capable of completing tasks in the same way as humans (or rather as close to it as it gets). AI technology has been around since the 1950s, and it has grown significantly over time. Today, AI is used in many different industries, from finance to healthcare and, since it’s constantly evolving, researchers find new ways to apply the technology in different fields.

Artificial Intelligence's impact on the world is wide-reaching, from powerful web search engines like Google to user recommendations powered by tech giants such as YouTube and Amazon. AI has even made strides in understanding complex human speech patterns found in devices like Siri and Alexa. Creative applications of this technology can be seen with projects including ChatGPT and AI art.

AI itself can be broken down into two main categories: narrow AI and general AI. Narrow AI focuses on specific tasks related to a certain industry or problem, such as driving a car or playing chess. General AI is focused on more complex tasks, such as understanding natural language and problem-solving.

As AI develops and evolves, its definition is shifting to keep up with the times. What was once considered "intelligent" can no longer be included in this category; for instance, optical character recognition has become an ordinary part of life that falls outside of what we think about when talking about Artificial Intelligence. This shift is known as the AI effect – a concept which highlights how quickly technology advances

In fact, the scale of the entire undertaking reached a level where there are subdomains to Artificial Intelligence, closely related to it, but  often classified separately. Machine learning is one of them.

Machine learning is a branch of artificial intelligence (AI) and computer science which focuses on the use of data and algorithms to imitate the way that humans learn, gradually improving its accuracy.  The goal of machine learning is to create algorithms that can receive a set of data and use it to learn from the data and make predictions about other data.

The most common method used in machine learning is supervised learning, which requires labeled datasets for training. Labeled datasets are datasets with known input/output relationships, such as images with their corresponding labels. The machine learning algorithm will use these labeled datasets to learn the relationship between input and output data, allowing it to predict outputs for new datasets.

Other methods of machine learning include unsupervised learning, reinforcement learning and semi-supervised learning. Unsupervised learning allows the computer to detect patterns in a dataset without being given labeled data to learn from. Reinforcement learning is based on rewards and punishments, where the algorithm learns by trial and error, gradually improving its accuracy as it receives feedback from its environment. Semi-supervised learning is a combination of supervised and unsupervised learning, which uses both labeled and unlabeled datasets for training.

Artificial intelligence in eMobility - the possibilities

Looking at the technical advancements happening within the field of electric vehicles, there are already quite a few impressive solutions implemented. From smart charging to connected cars, it’s pretty clear that advanced software has become an integral part of the industry.

However, there are still means of taking it all to a new level. There’s a few areas where Artificial Intelligence could find itself a useful spot and potentially aid towards mass adoption. We’ll try to list some of them.

Battery Management System (BMS) is a system that monitors and manages a rechargeable battery (or group of batteries), such as those found in electric vehicles, UPS systems, and solar energy storage systems. In short, its primary functions can be narrowed down to ensuring the battery remains safe and reliable.

With the use of AI, it potentially would be possible to modernize the way EV battery management systems operate, allowing for more reliable and longer-lasting batteries. By proactively evaluating key factors such as temperature, charge level and driving style - these sophisticated intelligent solutions can predict potential failure scenarios and take measures to extend life expectancy. In such a scenario, both sides could enjoy benefits: EV manufacturers would improve their competitiveness levels on the global transportation market, by significantly enhancing key factors like range, whereas the drivers would be left with more reliable (and thus more enjoyable) vehicles.

Advanced Route Planning & Charging Infrastructure Optimization

Being one of the top things that hold people back from transitioning to electric cars, range anxiety still delays mass EV adoption. With charging infrastructure being often disproportionately distributed and significantly lacking in some areas, the lengthy trips may get at times difficult to plan and execute.

AI-powered route optimization algorithms can help EVs plan out their trips in an optimal manner. By considering factors such as traffic conditions, road grades, charging time and electric vehicle charging stations, AI-powered solutions can help ensure that motorists reach their destinations in the most efficient manner possible, which is by ​​minimizing battery usage and increasing driving range.

Similarly, AI could be used to fill in the infrastructural gaps by analyzing usage patterns of EVs and driving habits. With advanced analytics and predictive models these intelligent solutions are able to determine ideal locations for charging stations while predicting future demand at the same time.

While the Open Smart Charging Protocol is “already on it”, giving Charge Point Operators ways to maneuver around the intricacies of energy consumption and leveraging it to the best of its capacity, there are ways to further improve it.

With the use of AI algorithms, it may be possible to help optimize the energy consumption of electric vehicles. By monitoring factors like driving conditions, speed, and load levels, AI systems can predict the most efficient way to use the available energy and ensure that EV are being charged at the most efficient times and from the most cost-effective energy sources.


Naturally, there are more ways in which AI can support the eMobility industry. Some other possibilities include:

 By anticipating component failures and proactively scheduling repairs, downtime can be drastically reduced, leading to greater overall reliability of vehicles

 AI can be used to predict the future prices of electricity, allowing EV owners to charge their vehicles at the most cost-effective times.

Finally, it must be noted that nearly the entirety of the case of autonomous vehicles is rooted deeply in artificial intelligence, but that’s for a whole another topic of conversation.

Artificial Intelligence in the eMobility ecosystem

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Krzysztof is our Head of Products and he leads the technical development behind the suite of our ready-made solutions. Throughout the years in Solidstudio, he gained an invaluable insight into the eMobilty industry’s requirements and is now more than qualified to share his knowledge with others.

Krzysztof Ciombor

As we move towards an era where oil will likely become less accessible or even regulated in some way due to global warming concerns and other issues such as pollution caused by fuel sources like coal fired power plants, 

electric vehicles are to become the transport of the future.

 With such a massive shift across all transportation branches, all hands on deck in terms of innovative solutions are needed.

Luckily, such industry ameliorations can be observed in every aspect there is to eMobility. From ever-enhancing electric cars with prolonged-battery lives to all kinds of charging facilities, eMobility is entering a whole new level.

Amongst these solutions, a big part is played by software and digital products. Namely, eRoaming, connected car data and smart charging are all here to stay and are only advancing at a speedy pace.

We have already covered eRoaming in one of our downloadable PDFs. To see more click 

A few definitions can be found in terms of what smart charging really is. Some of the widely circulating ones say:

Smart charging is a cloud-based technology that makes it possible to adjust how much energy is used by EVs based on the current state of the energy grid.

But what does it really mean in practice? One must look at smart charging as a complex, inter-connected ecosystem that enables real-time data exchange between:


Through smart charging, the charging stations may monitor, manage, and restrict the use of charging devices to optimize energy consumption. The optimization happens on the basis of collected data which gathers information such as:

renewable energy availability or lack thereof

Future-proof nature of smart charging allows for free-choice maneuvers in terms of the quality and quantity of features, leaving the room for any necessary add-ons. All that to ensure EVs will not pose a threat to the grid in times of high charging demand that’s likely to grow directly proportional to the growing popularity of electric cars.

careful monitoring of the energy consumption and thus, transferring the charging loads across available energy sources and adjusting the power accordingly. 

The shifts are to ensure the continuity of (untouched) energy flow for its other consumers, such as homes and facilities nearby.

All about Smart Charging

Download our biggest industry publication and uncover eMobility nuances with our ebook.

At Solidstudio, we’ve been on the eMobility journey for almost 5 years now and one thing we can for sure say about it, is that it was extremely knowledge-accumulating.

From business to tech, all industry aspects whether it’s the pricing structure and stakeholders mapping, all the way to technicalities and features of eMobility-based software, we’ve been through an in-depth practice. Having experienced that, we also know how difficult it may get at first to grasp the hold of the industry and its different branches

With that in mind, we decided to gather years worth of publications from our experts and put them altogether in one comprehensive piece covering various aspects of the EV industry.

Our comprehensive new ebook is a must-read for everyone looking to get up close and personal with the electric vehicle industry. From experienced electric mobility professionals wishing to standardize their knowledge, right through to those who are just starting out in the sector - this book has something for all!

The ebook sets aside 7 chapters that are broken up into smaller parts covering more specific details. All kicked off by a comprehensive glossary, it leads its reader through eMobility one aspect at a time.

The chapter covers a few words about where it all started and how it's currently going with EVs around the world. Given, EVs have come a long way since the first model was introduced in 1884, it’s worth noting how today EVs are becoming increasingly popular around the world - from China to Europe and America.

Electric car charging has become one of the hottest topics surrounding EVs, and consequently a major source of confusion for many potential buyers. Although significant gaps in infrastructure exist worldwide, there are still plenty of charge point operators fighting to prove that these green technologies bring great value despite any skeptics attempting to discredit them. In the chapter, we elaborate on matters such as:

Interoperability: open standards and eRoaming hubs

Navigating the world of eMobility can be a complex undertaking. In our third chapter, we investigate how eRoaming and open standards serve as vital connectors between Charging Point Operators, EV Drivers and more - bridging multi-dimensional gaps enabling better access to charging infrastructure for all. We take an in-depth look at what each hub offers along with the key functionalities behind these powerful tools that simplify universal connection across many networks. In the ebook, we touch upon:

Structure of the industry - pricing and stakeholders

There are many different units, regulations or even location-based factors that impact the tariffs, payment methods and billing systems. In the chapter we aim to shed light on the stakeholders that come into play (Charge Point Operator, eMobility Service Provider, Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment Manufacturer) and the financial liabilities between them.

eMobility vs environment - the ecological aspects

Electric vehicles are driving global environmental transformation. As government incentives propel their mass adoption, this chapter seeks to explore the full extent of all that EVs bring to our planet – from reduced air pollution and energy conservation, through arguably more sustainable infrastructure investments, up until detailing what really makes electric cars greener than traditional ones.

Governmental incentives and initiatives advocating the mass EV adoption

The impact of electric vehicles on the environment is one of the most fundamental and widely discussed topics related to eMobility. It’s also the primary inducement of the broadly-promoted mass adoption and various governmental undertakings in the pursuit of it. Here, we'll share some of the biggest EV-advocating initiatives.


The book can be downloaded for free from the box on the left side of the page.

Software migration - decision making. Why to start thinking about it in the EV charging industry?

12 MAY 2023 • 9 MIN READ