It’s easy to say that EV charging has many benefits, given the cost savings and energy-efficient options available. It’s another thing entirely to put the system to work and see the role that EV charging management has regarding cost-benefit analysis.
So how does EV charging work, and how does EV charging management software work to put these benefits on display?
Breaking Down How EV Charging Management Works
EV charging management software efficiently organizes the electrical demand and operations of charging stations connected to the network. Each charging station, or node, in any EV charging solution is identified as a “charge point.” At that point, EV charging management software is a management tool used to monitor and adjust charge points from an easy-to-use centralized hub.
The EV charging management software allows system operators to monitor charge point occupancy and electrical usage. The system operator can set pricing, process transactions, create work orders for maintenance crews, schedule inspections, and store data for further analysis.
Below, we share seven benefits of EV charging management solutions.
1. Manage Charge Points with Data Automation
EV charging management software collects the data from the charge points and automatically prepares analysis summaries and reports. Any manual data entry is eliminated. Those who operate the software can then review performance metrics such as:
EV electricity usage/cost
EV charging revenues
Service payments
Maintenance costs
The compilated reports can be helpful in understanding how to manage the system, on top of invoicing, audits, and financial results.
2. Intuitive Graphical User Interface
The graphical user interface (GUI) is intuitive and easy to use without requiring special training for the staff. Existing employees can use the system even if they do not have any experience with EV charging or EV charging management solutions.
3. Communication
The system enables communication between authorized users on the network. In the event of a system malfunction, the software can alert the operator and those needed to make the repairs. The communications are made directly through the system, and the service order is tracked until completion.
When there is a problem, the system sends automatic notifications, reducing the need for multiple phone calls and emails to address any issue. All the support staff can easily coordinate efforts to resolve any problems.
4. Pro-active Maintenance and Inspection Scheduling
Maintenance and repair crews are notified for scheduled inspections and when repairs are needed. Regularly conducting inspections and addressing any maintenance needs helps to minimize the cost and frequency of technician visits.
Additionally, technicians and operators are notified of any issues requiring attention or any serious malfunctions. The system monitors the usage of EV charging stations to identify usage patterns of under- or over-utilization. Historical trends also help with creating insights about future maintenance schedules.
5. Real-time Data and Historical Analysis
Real-time data is collected, which is then useful for billing purposes, as operators can see who uses the recharging system and for how long. The electricity demands are recorded for each charging station, displaying variable billing or costs due to changes in the electricity costs based on the time of day.
Charger use can be based on the amount of time used plus the cost per kWh of electricity, which depends on whether the recharging happens at peak power rates or at lower overnight rates.
6. Optimize the Charging Process
EV charging management software also gives the operator the opportunity to understand how much electricity each charging station uses.
The operator can maximize profits by analyzing the charging information and adjusting how a charging station can be used and how much electrical power it utilizes. In one case, the operator can regulate the amount of electricity for each recharging and limit it to a certain level for an EV, such as 80% or 90%, to avoid over-charging the battery.
The monitoring system for EV charging can also turn the system off to block unauthorized persons from using it. For example, an operator might want to shut the system down when the business is closed or otherwise not operating, such as during severe weather.
7. Remote Management
Operators can tell how their system is used by monitoring energy consumption patterns. This information helps operators make better decisions about charge point expansions in the future, as heavily used charge points can make the case for adding more chargers.
NetZero Energy's EV charging management system can be changed to fit your needs, whether you have a few charge points or many charging stations in different places. The same centralized EV charging management system can expand to accommodate any number of charge points located anywhere, allowing the business to scale up as desired.
Additionally, all monitoring is performed remotely and is only accessible by authorized users.
Increase Efficiency with EV Charging Management Solutions
If your EV charging system has multiple charge points, it can be beneficial to operate them efficiently using EV charging management software. Learn more about EV charging management solutions and smart EV charging systems. Start the conversation with NetZero Energy experts.