Episode 06 - Conversations with leading voices from the industry at the 2024 ICNC conference

Why Software, Interoperability And Grid Integration Are Defining The Next Phase Of EV Charging

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As Europe's EV charging market matures, the industry's priorities are changing. Installing more chargers remains important, but long-term success increasingly depends on software interoperability, operational efficiency, customer experience, and the ability to integrate charging infrastructure with the wider energy system.

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These themes were at the center of the 2024 ICNC Conference in Berlin, where industry leaders gathered to discuss the future of EV charging. From open-source software and interoperability standards to grid flexibility and business models, the conversations highlighted an industry moving from rapid deployment toward intelligent operation.

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In this special episode of The Charge Point Podcast, Christophe Lephilibert speaks with Manuel Fernandes, Jaap Burger (Regulatory Assistance Project), Suthalan Gnanes (GreenFlux), Marco Möller (Pionix), Riccardo Becker (EVesto), and Alex Miropolski (Evercharge). Together, they share their perspectives on the trends that will shape the next generation of EV charging infrastructure and help Charge Point Operators navigate an increasingly competitive market.

What You Will Learn From This Episode

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The conversations at ICNC reveal how the EV charging industry is evolving beyond hardware toward connected, software-driven energy ecosystems.

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Key learnings:

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• Why EV charging infrastructure is becoming increasingly software-defined, with interoperability and open standards playing a central role in future deployments.
• How EV smart charging and energy management are helping Charge Point Operators improve operational efficiency while preparing for growing grid constraints.
• Why grid flexibility is becoming an essential capability as renewable energy generation and electrification continue to accelerate across Europe.
• How open communication standards such as OCPI and OCPP are enabling greater interoperability between charging hardware, software platforms, and mobility providers.
• Why Charge Point Operators are increasingly focusing on reliability, uptime, and customer experience as key competitive differentiators.
• How collaboration across hardware manufacturers, software providers, consultants, regulators, and CPOs is accelerating innovation throughout the EV charging ecosystem.