Episode 14 - Rethinking EV Roaming and Connectivity in Charging Networks

Why Connectivity Has Become The Hidden Challenge In EV Charging

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As Europe's EV charging infrastructure continues to expand, success depends on more than deploying additional chargers. Behind every charging session lies a complex digital ecosystem that enables Charge Point Operators (CPOs), e-Mobility Service Providers (eMSPs), and drivers to communicate seamlessly across thousands of charging networks.

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While EV roaming has dramatically improved network accessibility, many market participants still struggle with unreliable integrations, inconsistent data quality, and costly maintenance of roaming connections. As the number of charging networks grows, connectivity itself is becoming a bottleneck for scaling the EV ecosystem.

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In this episode of The Charge Point Podcast, Christophe Lephilibert speaks with Jakob Kleihues, Co-Founder of ENAPI, about how the company is rethinking EV roaming by simplifying connectivity between CPOs and eMSPs. Together, they explore the limitations of traditional roaming hubs, the role of OCPI, and why better connectivity is essential for improving the EV driver experience and accelerating EV adoption across Europe.

What You Will Learn From This Episode

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As the EV charging ecosystem grows more complex, scalable connectivity is becoming just as important as reliable charging hardware.

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Key learnings:

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• Why maintaining EV roaming connections between CPOs and e-Mobility Service Providers becomes increasingly difficult as charging networks scale.
• How OCPI simplified interoperability but still creates operational challenges when organizations manage hundreds of bilateral integrations.
• Why poor data quality and unreliable connectivity directly impact the EV driver experience through failed charging sessions and inaccurate charger availability information.
• How reducing connectivity costs can make EV charging infrastructure more affordable by lowering roaming expenses for CPOs, eMSPs, and ultimately EV drivers.
• Why fleet charging, dynamic pricing, and future flexibility services will require even more scalable and reliable roaming infrastructure.
• How ENAPI's transaction broker model aims to commoditize connectivity, allowing charging providers to focus on customer experience rather than maintaining complex integrations.