What is eRoaming and how does it work? 

eRoaming describes the charging of electric vehicles at various charging points without users having to register individually with each provider. EMUs gain access to a Europe-wide charging network with just one app or charging card from their EMP. 

The technology is based on roaming connections: These interfaces enable charging infrastructure operators to connect their stations to third-party EMPs via a network. The EMP in turn uses this data to offer the EMUs available charging stations in its app or via a charging card. 

Two essential processes take place in the background of the charging session: 

Authorization 

The CPO checks whether there is a roaming connection or a contractual relationship between it and the EMP (B2B). The EMP in turn verifies whether an EMU has permission to charge the electric vehicle at this charging station. 

Billing 

The CPO sets a tariff in advance that the EMP must pay for eRoaming (B2B). The EMP, on the other hand, determines the tariff for e-mobility users (B2C). 
After the charging session, the CPO submits the amount of electricity charged to the EMP. The EMP pays the CPO for the charging session (B2B tariff) and invoices it to the EMUs at its B2C tariff. 

Advantages for e-mobility users  

• Charge anywhere - eRoaming offers the freedom of "classic" refueling. E-mobility users can find numerous charging points across Europe without having to register with additional providers before each charge.
• Stable prices & transparent billing - no sudden CPO-dependent price fluctuations and only one collective bill from your own EMP at the end of the month.
• Less effort - no need to manage multiple apps or charging cards. A single provider is enough

How CPOs and EMPs benefit from eRoaming 

CPOs have the opportunity to publish their charging stations in apps from various providers. In this way, they increase the visibility and utilization of their charging points through eRoaming, which leads to higher revenue. This is because charging points with an eRoaming option are more attractive to e-mobility users as they can charge without additional contracts.

For EMPs, eRoaming means that they can offer e-mobility users attractive tariffs at charging points available throughout Europe. This networking enables them to increase the availability of their offers via their app and brings them closer to their goal of providing nationwide charging infrastructure. This strengthens their market position, increases customer loyalty and opens up new sales potential. In a competitive environment, EMPs thus secure significant added value compared to providers without eRoaming integration.

Challenges with independent eRoaming 

As a company, are you thinking about managing and mapping the entire eRoaming process yourself? This is a possible option, but one that poses many challenges and requires a quantity of organization - whether for EMPs or CPOs.  

• Complex contract negotiations with roaming platforms and numerous partners.
• Technical integration must be established and permanently maintained.
• Billing and tax issues are complicated - especially for international charging sessions.
• Payment defaults and partner insolvencies harbor financial risks. 

Companies that want to implement eRoaming themselves need specialized teams, powerful IT systems and efficient processes - a high level of investment. 

With chargecloud's offers, you can avoid this effort and the financial risks and still get started with eRoaming.

chargecloud as a solution 

Smart eRoaming for CPO & EMP - invit.e & e.xpand  

With chargecloud invit.e, CPOs can connect their charging points to around 90 EMPs with just a single agreement. This increases the utilization of the charging points without additional administrative effort. 

For EMPs, chargecloud e.xpand offers access to one of the largest e-roaming networks in Europe - with just one contract: over 522,000 charging points, around 140 CPOs plus many more sub-CPOs and the option of integration on roaming platforms such as e-clearing.net and Hubject.

• No additional technical or administrative work - chargecloud takes over contract management, technical integration and billing.
• Efficient processes - central invoice verification, complaints and dunning.
• No own infrastructure necessary - immediate market advantage without high investments. 

Flexible management and billing 

CPOs always have full control over their charging infrastructure. Thanks to flexible access management, it is possible to determine exactly which customer groups (EMUs) can charge at which charging points - including individual tariff structures. 

Billing is also child's play: chargecloud takes over the complete management and billing of charging sessions. As an aggregator, chargecloud uses economies of scale, passes these on to the partners and acts as a single contract and contact partner. This means: less administrative work, only one invoice, more efficiency - for CPOs and EMPs alike. 

User-friendliness and data protection 

With the chargecloud driver app - a white label app for e-mobility users provided by the respective EMP - e-mobility users can keep track of charging sessions and billing - one collective bill per month instead of many individual bills. In addition, only available charging points are displayed to avoid unnecessary detours. 

Data protection remains the top priority: all processes are GDPR-compliant and personal data is not passed on to third parties. 

Short and simple: eRoaming explained simply 

eRoaming enables electric vehicles to be charged at different charging points without separate registration with each provider. 

Users benefit from a standardized access solution via an app or charging card from their EMP. 
For CPOs, eRoaming increases the visibility and use of their charging points, while EMPs can offer their customers Europe-wide access to charging points. Both players benefit from flexible tariff models and efficient billing. 

Data protection is essential: personal data must be processed and protected in compliance with the GDPR. 

Independent eRoaming is complex and associated with high administrative and technical effort as well as financial risks. With its solutions, chargecloud offers an efficient alternative: CPOs and EMPs can join the eRoaming network immediately with just one agreement - without any additional administrative effort. 

eRoaming with chargecloud makes electromobility easier and more economical for you. Whether EMP or CPO - you reduce your efforts and benefit from transparent billing and extensive networking.