Choosing the right roaming platform is one of the most strategic decisions a CPO or eMSP will make. It determines your market reach, operational complexity, and ultimately, your ability to scale in the rapidly growing EV ecosystem.
Key Evaluation Criteria
1. Network Reach & Coverage
The primary value of a roaming hub is access. Ask: How many CPOs and eMSPs are currently connected? What's their geographic coverage? Are they growing?
2. Technical Reliability & Support
Downtime means lost revenue. Evaluate uptime SLAs, monitoring capabilities, and whether they offer 24/7 technical support. Check their OCPI version support and upgrade roadmap.
3. Clearing & Settlement Services
Some hubs only route messages; others provide full financial clearing. If they handle invoicing and settlement, you save significant back-office overhead.
4. Transparent Pricing Model
Understand the fee structure: per-transaction fees, monthly subscriptions, or revenue share? Hidden fees can erode margins quickly.
Final Thoughts
Don't rush this decision. Request demos, talk to existing clients, and pilot with a small subset of your network before committing fully. The right hub becomes a strategic partner, not just a vendor.