Charging infrastructure is a long-term investment — and like any long-term investment, it is the overall picture that counts, not just the input cost. How you manage the plant going forward is just as important as the decision to install it. The three options above provide different answers to that question — and the best answer is the one that suits your business.
You've invested in charging infrastructure. It was the right decision. But how you manage that investment going forward is another question -- and there are more options than most people are familiar with. This article explains what the three main routes actually mean in practice.
Most people who have invested in charging infrastructure have thought carefully about hardware, installation and payback time. Those are the right things to think about. But charging infrastructure is not like an elevator or a ventilation system that you install and then forget. It is a technology that develops rapidly, requires ongoing maintenance and requires skills that are rarely found naturally in a real estate or energy business.
It's not a problem that arises right away. It's something that's emerging gradually -- a support case here, a firmware update there, a technician called in. And at some point you realize that the charging infrastructure takes more resources than you bargained for.
Once you're there, there are three paths to go.
The first option is to maintain the status quo. You own the plant and manage the operation internally — either with your own resources or with occasional outside help. It provides full control and is the easiest choice in the short term.
The challenge is that operational responsibility does not decrease over time -- it increases. Hardware is fraying, software needs to be updated to meet new demands of smart charging and open protocols, and when more tenants or customers acquire electric cars, the utilization rate increases and thus also the wear and tear. Anyone who chooses to own and operate themselves also assumes the ongoing risk of reinvestment as the hardware ages.
For businesses where charging is the core business, this may be the right choice. For many property owners and energy companies, it is the option that costs the most in internal time — although it does not always appear as a separate line in the accounts.
The second option is to place operational responsibility on an external charging operator but retaining ownership of the facility. It offloads internally and provides access to specialist expertise without you having to build it up yourself.
It's a reasonable intermediate option -- but it doesn't solve everything. You still own the plant and thus bear the long-term financial responsibility for reinvestment as the hardware ages or needs to be replaced. You pay for the operation without avoiding the risk of ownership. And when technology makes new demands, it's still you who make the investment decision.
The third option is Charging as a Service — a model in which you transfer ownership of the facility to ChargeNode and sign a 10-year right of use agreement. The charging points physically stay on your property. But bug fixing, firmware updates, replacement parts, support and future rollouts are from that day ChargeNode's responsibility — not yours.
It's the option that eliminates operational responsibility entirely, not just reduces it. Your end users don't notice any difference — on the contrary, they get access to round-the-clock support with a response time of under 90 seconds and a platform with 99.7% uptime. You avoid ownership risk and get predictability instead of unexpected operating costs.
There is no universal answer -- the right choice depends on your situation. But a few questions will help you land the right one.
How old is your plant? A newly installed plant with modern hardware has a different starting position than one that is three to five years old and is beginning to show signs of wear and tear. The older and more burdened, the stronger the argument for devolving will be.
How much internal capacity do you have? If you or your team spend significant time on charge-related matters, it's a sign that operational responsibility is competing with the core business. That time has a price -- even if it's not always apparent.
Do you want predictability? Charging infrastructure operating costs are difficult to budget accurately. Charging as a Service replaces the unpredictable operating cost with a transparent and long-term contractual arrangement.
ChargeNode is Sweden's largest charging operator with over 60,000 active charging points and 30% market share. With our own service engineers throughout Sweden, a proprietary platform with 99.7% uptime and support that responds within 90 seconds around the clock, we take a holistic responsibility that includes everything from hardware and software to operations and future expansion.
Do you want to know what Charging as a Service would mean for your particular facility? Contact us for a free valuation— without obligations.
What differentiates Charging as a Service from hiring an external operator?
When you hire an outside operator for the operation, you still own the plant and bear the long-term ownership risk -- including reinvestments as the hardware ages. With Charging as a Service, you transfer ownership and eliminate that risk completely.
Can ChargeNode acquire a plant no matter what brand the chargers have?
Yes. ChargeNode acquires facilities regardless of make and handles any technical migration without downtime for end users.
How do I know if my facility is suitable for Charging as a Service?
ChargeNode does a free valuation without you committing to anything. Contact us and we will get back to you with an acquisition proposal based on your specific facility.
What happens to operational responsibilities after ChargeNode takes over?
It completely transitions to ChargeNode. Troubleshooting, updates, spare parts and support are our responsibility from the date of transfer — not yours.
What happens when the 10-year contract expires?
ChargeNode sees the 10-year agreement as the start of a long-term collaboration. Before the end of the agreement, a dialogue is held on the extension or new structure of the agreement.
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Neongatan 4B
431 53 Molndal
