When you manage tens of thousands of charge points, a small change can have big consequences. That is why we test new firmware and integrations extensively before making them available to customers.

Eneco eMobility is one of the largest charge point operators (CPOs) in the Benelux. With around 80,000 managed charge points, the company mainly supports business EV drivers with charging solutions, charging management and smart energy services. As part of the Eneco Group, Eneco eMobility combines the agility of a specialised e-mobility organisation with the strength of a major energy company.

For this story we spoke with Roel Keunen, responsible for the product portfolio at Eneco eMobility. Together we looked back on the collaboration with Peblar and ahead at the developments that will shape the charging market in the coming years.

Quality above all

For Eneco eMobility the service is about more than the charge point. Good hardware matters, and good service matters just as much. That is exactly why quality and reliability receive so much attention.

With a network of around 80,000 charge points, firmware or integration issues can have a big impact. As product manager, Roel is directly involved in safeguarding that quality. Firmware updates are tested extensively before rollout, and where possible charge points of the same brand and type are kept on the same firmware version. That way issues can be recognised, investigated and resolved faster.

When you manage tens of thousands of charge points, a small change can have big consequences. That is why we test new firmware and integrations extensively before making them available to customers.

Developing together from day one

The collaboration between Eneco eMobility and Prodrive Technologies, Peblar's parent company, started years ago. Eneco already knew Prodrive as a technology partner; Prodrive previously produced the successful Eneco Toon thermostat. When Prodrive later developed a new white label charging solution, Eneco was involved to test prototypes and give feedback from the daily practice of a CPO. Eneco eMobility offers the charger under the name Connectric, and it has become an important part of the charging portfolio.

From the start, one principle was central: flexibility. According to Roel, a charging station should not depend on one specific CPO. When a customer switches to another CPO, the charging station should be able to stay on the wall, without full replacement being necessary. Eneco also contributed requirements around smart meter integration, software flexibility and future expandability. Thanks to the direct collaboration between the engineers of both organisations, these insights were taken into the development process early.

Smart charging keeps gaining importance

According to Roel, the charging market is shifting more and more from hardware to energy management. Grid congestion, dynamic energy prices and the growth of renewable energy call for charging solutions that respond flexibly to supply and demand. With smart charging, charging moments can be matched to available energy and current electricity prices. Users benefit from lower costs, while the grid is under less strain.

"The challenge is not only to install more charge points," Roel says. "We also have to use the capacity that is available more intelligently."

With the energy transition in full swing, Eneco eMobility and Peblar believe the future is not only about more charge points, but above all about smarter charging solutions. Together they are working on charging infrastructure that is ready for the challenges of tomorrow.