The electric vehicle industry is full of acronyms, but none are more fundamental than CPO and eMSP. While they often work together to provide a seamless charging experience, their business models, responsibilities, and technical needs are completely different.
The Quick Analogy: Mobile Networks
The easiest way to understand the difference is to look at your mobile phone:
They build the tower, maintain the hardware, and ensure it has power.
They sell you the SIM card, manage your subscription, and send you the bill.
What is a CPO (Charge Point Operator)?
The CPO manages the infrastructure. Their primary focus is hardware reliability and energy delivery.
- Installation & Maintenance: Installing chargers, fixing broken cables, and ensuring uptime.
- Grid Connection: Buying electricity from utility companies and managing load balancing.
- B2B Pricing: Setting the base cost of charging for the station (e.g., $0.30/kWh).
What is an eMSP (e-Mobility Service Provider)?
The eMSP (sometimes called MSP or EMP) manages the driver relationship. Their primary focus is user experience and network coverage.
- The App: Providing a map to find chargers and start sessions.
- Billing: Collecting payment from the driver and handling subscriptions.
- Roaming Agreements: Signing contracts with multiple CPOs so their users can charge anywhere.
The "Prosumer" Blur
In reality, many companies act as both. Tesla, for example, is a CPO (they own Superchargers) and an eMSP (the Tesla app authorizes the charge).
However, in the Open Market (OCPI based), these roles are distinct technical entities. Even if one company does both, they usually have separate software modules speaking to each other via OCPI protocols.
How they interact via OCPI
CPO sends Location updates to eMSP (via Hub).
eMSP user finds charger in app and swipes to start.
eMSP sends START_SESSION command to CPO.
CPO unlocks hardware, delivers energy, then sends a CDR (receipt).
Conclusion
Understanding the distinction is vital for any business entering the EV space. If you want to own hardware, you are a CPO. If you want to build a user base, you are an eMSP. If you want to succeed at scale, you need a platform that connects both efficiently.