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 

E-mobility tariffs. How is the pricing structured within the industry?

See our series on e-mobility fundamentals and learn what's the difference between CPO and EMSP.

Experienced content writer with over 4 years of experience in the energy sector and many industry-related publications released.

Gabriela Stawiarska

Knowing the industry complexity, at Solidstudio, we thought it would be a good idea to launch a series of blog entries on 

. The articles are to shed light on some of the topics that may not necessarily be clear to everyone. 

In the winding paths of e-mobility related topics, there’s a plethora of terms repeatedly popping up. This comes as no surprise given the industry’s specification, known to no other branches. Understanding the involved technologies and market players requires mapping out tons of complex systems, and it’s all followed by a specific terminology.

 itself can be slightly confusing to some. In fact, it's an umbrella term for service providers, service customers, technology suppliers and product manufacturers (including software and hardware) that collectively operate within the electric cars business.

Amongst the multitude of positions, professions and specializations, one of the most frequently appearing are 

Now, what are they and what’s the difference?


To facilitate the use of charging stations eMSP’s usually operate with apps allowing EV drivers to log and conduct a charging session remotely.


EMSP charging management software. EMSP app


As stated above, eMSP’s main role is to serve the end-users, so naturally the primary software used are the 

 which are downloadable for EV drivers, preferably from the primary software stores and available for both, iOS and Android. They work in such a way that EV drivers can create an account and login with their unique credentials. Once authorization is granted, the EV user can then locate the nearest charging station (oftentimes also be navigated to it) and facilitate the charging session via the app.

In order to run smoothly, such apps require a bunch of functionalities. It must be taken into consideration that it’s a matter of operating an entire pool of charging points that can come from various CPO’s, while in need of providing a complex service covering all customer’s needs.

Amongst the most necessary functionalities of a properly set up eMSP app, we can differentiate:

(login/logout, password reset, T&C’s acceptance, RFID grant and remote token activation)

(charging station search, remote start/stop based on RFID authorization, real-time charging session monitoring)

(card payments, transaction history stored in a secure manner, accountability of adequate taxes, receipt/bill production in real-time)

(easy-to-navigate, intuitive layout, customer service contact info - preferably directly from the app, issue notifications)

(possibility to manage - alter/add/erase end-user and b2b tariffs, reports generation)

(users verification and detailed preview, real-time bugs and malfunctions reporting, close monitoring of charging points, data storage for optimization purposes)

 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.

Unlike eMSP apps, CPO Platforms operate more on a backend basis. EV-CPO software is to a great extent responsible for ensuring the entire charging station pool runs seamlessly and with no detected malfunctions. Simultaneously, its job is to report in real-time any possible issues, to then generate a data record allowing for avoiding such problems in the future.

The platform should also stay highly scalable, that is for the potential network expansion and for the possibility of connecting to multiple eMSP’s. It is especially crucial now, as the charging network undergoes possibly the greatest growth in history. Ensuring an easy adoption of new technologies is beyond significant. High-level interoperability and scalability can only be achieved when the CPO platform runs in accordance with widely accepted industry standards. Here is when 

Amongst the most necessary functionalities of a properly set up CPO platform, we can differentiate:

(registration of customers, activation and deactivation of charging stations, remote maintenance)

(rates management, necessary alterations)

(static, dynamic, and renewables, charging profiling, and V2G)

(including individual, group, or enterprise managing)

(for bug fixing, ensured real-time reaction, data storage)

EMSP vs CPO - what’s the difference? In short.

But before that, it has to be mentioned that although there are some principal operational differences, there are a number of companies who combine the roles of EMSP’s and CPO’s, creating an in-depth, profound e-mobility environment. Such undertaking allows for complete fleet management from all sides and is known to be quite efficient and effective.

Nevertheless, below you can see a brief summary of the most prominent differences between eMSP’s and CPO’s.

EMSP’s serve the end-users while CPO’s take care mostly of the charging stations network and their expansion

EMSP can be deemed as the frontend of e-mobility operations while CPO is the backend

CPO’s are to the greater extent responsible for the growth of charging networks, their scalability and interoperability

EMSP’s are more responsible for the satisfaction of EV drivers and their journeys

EMSP’s are ones to deliver the apps to EV users that facilitate the charging, while CPO’s deliver the chargers themselves

EMSP’s software is customer-centric while CPO’s software is more operational

Check out our series of articles on e-mobility fundamentals and learn what's the difference between CPO and EMSP.

CPO vs EMSP - what's the difference?

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!

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.

The ultimate e-mobility glossary

07 JANUARY 2022 • 10 MIN READ