The number of connected electric vehicle (EV) charging points in Europe and North America reached an estimated 7.4 million units in 2023.
Europe leads with approximately 5.5 million connected EV charging points, representing a connectivity penetration rate of 70 percent.
North America accounts for about 1.9 million connected charging points, with a connectivity penetration rate of 56 percent.
The connected EV charging points market is anticipated to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 37 percent, projecting 35.7 million connected charging points by 2028, according to Berg Insight.
The connected EV charging station market features diverse players catering to various segments. Back-office software platforms for managing charging stations are offered by specialized software companies, hardware providers, and charge point operators (CPOs). Some CPOs also provide their in-house developed back-office platforms as white-label solutions to other operators.
ChargePoint is a leading CPO in North America, utilizing proprietary solutions and extending these to other CPOs. It is also prominent in terms of charging points connected to its software platform in the region.
Other significant players include Blink Charging, Flo, EV Connect, Shell Recharge Solutions, and Tesla. ChargePoint and Enel X Way dominate the connected private charger market in North America.
In Europe, specialized software vendors with substantial numbers of connected charging points include Last Mile Solutions, Virta, GreenFlux, Driivz, and AMPECO.
Hardware-focused companies like Easee, Zaptec, and Pod Point also have numerous connected charging points but typically offer less comprehensive software solutions.
Full-service providers such as Shell Recharge Solutions and EVBox (Engie) have emerged as key players, with significant numbers of connected charging points.
Several European CPOs, including Vattenfall, Innogy, and Allego, have developed proprietary software solutions managing extensive charging point networks.
“The integration of communications technology in EV charging stations can significantly impact the energy costs related to an EV charging station,” stated Caspar Jansson, IoT Analyst at Berg Insight. Connected charging stations can be integrated into grid service solutions, where charging output can be temporarily reduced to alleviate grid pressure. Load management capabilities help maintain charging output within grid capacity, reducing grid strain.
Connected charging points allow owners to participate in utilities’ demand response programs, thereby lowering their own charging costs. The increasing adoption of EVs, coupled with high energy prices, will bolster the demand for connected and smart charging solutions.
The number of connected home charging stations is also rising in both regions. Connected chargers enable homeowners to be reimbursed for EV charging related to work travel, reducing the reliance on public charging and associated costs.