Driving an electric car from one city to the next can prove a challenge for drivers because of problems with the charging process.
Even if all the electrical power outlets are in perfect working order, they might struggle to charge their vehicle simply as a result of the variety of languages that the IT landscape has come to adopt over time.
Not every roadside charge spot is necessarily capable of communicating in the right language with the computer system run by the power utility that is providing the energy.
Meanwhile, the operators’ different IT systems are even less likely to speak the same language when exchanging data. Open interface protocols are now set to solve this problem.
Bosch Software Innovations has developed an eMobility Starter Package offering out-of-the-box support for two of the leading open-interface protocols—OICP and OCPP—for connecting to roaming platforms and charging infrastructure systems.
eRoaming is set to extend electromobility beyond regional and system boundaries. It will enable drivers of an electric vehicle to recharge the vehicle at any charge spot, not just at ones run by their own provider. eRoaming makes using charging infrastructure simple enough for it to become part of everyday living – and this will allow successful new electromobility business models to develop. The new Bosch Software Innovations eMobility Starter Package offers out-of-the-box support for two of the leading open-interface protocols for connecting to roaming platforms and charging infrastructure systems. This paves the way for rapid, convenient adoption of e-mobility business models and for using Berlin-based Hubject GmbH’s eRoaming platform.
Communication between vehicle, charge spot, and charge spot operators is becoming simpler as open standard protocols are being defined. Bosch Software Innovations’ software already supports the leading open interface protocols, Open InterCharge Protocol (OICP) and Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP). Other international standards such as ISO 15118 will follow.
This software also recently became the first to be certified by Hubject GmbH as a backend (i.e. the software that controls operation and management of the charging infrastructure). Hubject CHECK enables providers of charging infrastructure systems to ensure the compatibility of their hardware and software with the aid of OICP. Cross-provider use of publicly accessible charging infrastructure for electric cars will thus be possible throughout Europe from summer 2013.
The OCPP protocol defines how charge spots communicate with operator software. This ensures that the charge-spot functions can be used safely and reliably, as well as providing support for value-added services such as remote maintenance or eRoaming. Innovative startups with compelling ideas, such as the Berlin-based company Ebee Smart Technologies, also stand to benefit from this. Ebee’s charge spots link directly into Hubject GmbH’s European eRoaming via the Bosch Software Innovations backend. This connection has already been successfully implemented and has been undergoing testing for the past few weeks.
The Bosch Software Innovations eMobility Starter Package is a comprehensive software solution delivered as software-as-a-service that enables companies, public sector bodies, or public utility companies to operate their own charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. Integrated management of charge spots, customer and vehicle data, and price plans allows them to make their charging services easily accessible to their customers via online portals or smartphone apps. There is no need to invest in in-house IT capacity.
