Thanks to different charging apps and navigation devices finding a charging station is relatively simple, but some questions remain – Can I use my charging card? Is the charger available? Important information that is often missing in navigation systems and that has to be manually compared with other apps.
As EV-drivers of the first hour and providers of workflow-based systems Omis understands how their software can increase the success of charging station providers and improve customer experience.
Omis Drivers of electric vehicles are confronted with various challenges. The most common one may be “Where is the nearest charging station?”
In general, the range of electric vehicles is improving. However, depending on the outside temperature it can vary considerably. Thanks to different charging apps and navigation devices finding a charging station is quite easy, but some questions remain, e.g. Can I use my charging card? Is the charger available? Important information that is often missing in navigation systems and that has to be manually compared with other apps. Plus, there is no price labeling neither in the navigation system nor on site.
Experiences of an EV driver of the first hour
In real life things are often different than expected!
It’s raining cats and dogs when I arrive at the charging station. A super charger with 360 kw promises fast charging. This is when the challenge starts. The charging station has no roof and I am trying to hide under my umbrella. The display of the charger is quite confusing and it is placed way too low which makes it necessary to bend over which is not that easy while holding an umbrella. Following the instructions on the display I am asked to enter the charging point. This information can be found on the mount of the charging plug, printed extremely small and not readable in the dark. In addition to my umbrella I need the flashlight function of my smartphone to be able to identify the charging point. Finally, I select the right charging point and manage the challenge to charge my car.
The EV race
If you want to have the chance to win a race, first thing should be to start. If you cross the starting line, several challenges until the finish line remain. EV will change the whole business model around cars dramatically and it will also have a major influence on other industries like convenience and food retailing. Many EV charging sites will require new concepts such as unmanned stores or shops. However, not only electric vehicles but also staff shortage and personnel costs will drive the development of these new business models.
Thanks to remote diagnosis and remote services many problems and errors can be fixed from far. But what about mechanical damages at the charger or in the surrounding infrastructure (i.e. lighting, air examiner, vacuum cleaner etc.). Operators of charging stations will need a number of different systems to be able to keep control over their devices and upcoming errors. Who will be able to keep an overview – What errors occur? Which of them is already assigned to e.g. a service provider? Which are not handled yet?
Good news is that such workflow systems already exist for the traditional fuel retailing industry and they can be easily transferred to these new business models. The better the organization of the whole charging infrastructure, the higher the chances to stand out from competition and develop a strong market position.
omis is a cloud-based software solution specifically designed for decentralized organizational structures. More than 5.000 sites already use omis for important maintenance tasks and benefit from noticeable cost saving, clear quality improvement, higher equipment availability, and reduced processing times. Through its modular design omis can be customized to the individual needs of every customer.
