Electric Vehicle Charging Software: Q&A Guide for 2025

Written By Lisa Logvinova

What is EV charging software and who uses it?

EV charging software is the platform that operates, monitors, and monetizes charging infrastructure.
It typically includes:

  • A web dashboard for charger hosts, site owners, utilities, and charge point operators (CPOs) to manage uptime, pricing, energy use, payments, and users.

  • An EV charging app for drivers to find chargers, start and stop sessions, pay, and view charging history.

This software is the backbone of modern EV charging networks.

Which standards and protocols should I consider first?

Interoperability is critical for long-term flexibility and avoiding vendor lock-in.

  • OCPP (Open Charge Point Protocol) — Enables chargers and backends from different vendors to communicate. The industry has faced migration hurdles with closed systems like Enel X, and other networks such as ChargePoint, Tesla, Blink, and EverCharge also use proprietary stacks that limit portability.

  • ISO 15118 (Plug & Charge) — Allows a vehicle to authenticate and pay automatically once plugged in. This is already supported on some Level 2 chargers from Autel and Zerova, not just DC fast equipment.

  • OCPI — Enables roaming and data exchange between CPOs and eMobility service providers.

  • EV charging APIs — Public and private APIs are essential for billing, apps, and enterprise system integrations.

What are the main use cases for electric vehicle charging software?

  • Fleet charging — Uses telematics to schedule charging for delivery, logistics, or service vehicles.

  • Workplace and multifamily charging — Offers access control, cost sharing, waitlisting, and load control.

  • Public charging networks — Manage pricing, payments, uptime, and roaming agreements.

  • Municipal deployments — Provide centralized reporting, grid-friendly operation, and funding compliance.

  • Dealerships — Manage test drive and customer charging stations on-site.

What features are must haves?

  • Payment processing — Including support for card readers such as Payter, Nayax, and MagTek.

  • EV telematics integration — Especially for fleets, to leverage state of charge and location data.

  • Load management — Dynamic balancing of power across chargers to reduce demand charges.

  • Utility integrations — Such as OpenADR for demand response programs.

  • User management — Including roles, whitelisting, waitlisting, and optional reservations.

  • Ticketing system integration — With platforms like Zendesk or Freshdesk to log incidents, track driver support issues, and streamline resolution workflows.

  • US-based servers and data hosting — A critical requirement for government agencies and Fortune 500 companies with strict data residency, privacy, and compliance policies.

  • EV charging APIs — For mobile apps, billing, analytics, and third-party tools.

What certifications and program approvals matter?

  • SOC 2 — For data security and privacy controls.

  • OCA membership — Aligns with open protocol standards like OCPP.

  • OpenADR certification — Needed for grid and demand response programs.

  • Utility and lab approvals — Such as EPRI or specific utility programs like SCE.

  • Funding eligibility — Programs such as Communities in Charge and similar state-level incentives.

  • CTEP certification — Required in California for revenue-grade metering and legal payment collection.

  • OCPI compliance — Needed by CPOs for roaming and interoperability.

What is OCPP and why does it affect migrations?

OCPP is an open protocol that lets chargers and management software communicate regardless of vendor.
This enables operators to migrate hardware between software platforms.

In contrast, closed ecosystems like Enel X and proprietary networks such as ChargePoint, Tesla, Blink, and EverCharge have historically limited portability, which creates migration and data access challenges. Buyers should verify actual OCPP implementation details and contractual rights, not just marketing claims.

What is ISO 15118 Plug & Charge and can it work on Level 2?

ISO 15118 enables Plug & Charge (auto-charge), where the vehicle and charger authenticate and start billing automatically.
It is already available on some Autel and Zerova Level 2 chargers and widely used on DC fast chargers.
This simplifies the driver experience and reduces failed session starts.

What new AI-driven capabilities are emerging?

  • MCP-based API wrappers — Let AI agents securely act on charger and user data within guardrails.

  • Chatbots inside EV charging apps — Handle driver support, troubleshooting, and ticket triage.

  • Automatic ticket creation in Zendesk — Seamlessly escalates chatbot interactions into human support workflows.

  • AI site optimization — Predictive algorithms can schedule charging at multi-megawatt depots based on energy prices, demand limits, fleet schedules, and state of charge.

How is EV charging software priced?

Common pricing structures include:

  • Per-charger monthly fees — Usually $15–$30 per charger/month depending on features.

  • Transaction fees — A small percentage of energy sales (often 2–5%).

  • Setup costs — One-time fees for onboarding, configuration, and training.

  • Optional add-ons — Such as white-label mobile apps, advanced analytics, and AI-based optimization.

How do I evaluate EV charging software quickly?

  • Confirm OCPP, ISO 15118, and OCPI support if you need open standards and roaming.

  • Verify payment hardware compatibility (Payter, Nayax, MagTek) and utility program integrations.

  • Check SOC 2, CTEP, and funding program eligibility for your jurisdiction.

  • Confirm US-based servers and data hosting if your organization has strict compliance or procurement requirements.

  • Review the EV charging API quality and documentation.

  • Test the EV charging app for charger discovery, start/stop, payments, receipts, and support.

  • Model total cost of ownership including software, networking, and operational expenses over 3–5 years.

Where does the EV charging app fit in the stack?

The EV charging app is the driver-facing layer that enables:

  • Charger discovery

  • Session start and stop

  • Payments and receipts

  • Support and troubleshooting

Some apps also include favorites, fleet profiles, and built-in support chat that ties into ticketing platforms like Zendesk.

Lisa Logvinova