Learn what a Charge Point Operator (CPO) does and why they are crucial for electric car charging. ChargeNode - The Nordic region's leading CPO with over 60,000 charging outlets.
Have you considered who makes sure all those electric car charging stations actually work when you need them? Charge point operators (CPOs) are responsible for day-to-day operations. CPO stands for “Charge Point Operator” and describes companies or organizations that take care of the operation, maintenance and monitoring of electric vehicle charging stations.
ChargeNode is one of the leading CPOs in the Nordic region with over 60,000 charging outlets in operation. We take care of everything from installation and monitoring to 24/7 support - so the 200,000 motorists who use our charging stations can rely on charging to work when they need it.
We will explain what a charge point operator does in practice. They play a central role in keeping the charging infrastructure available and functioning when you need it. A CPO can be a public or private operator that owns, operates and maintains one or more charging stations. Operators monitor the performance of charging stations, ensure they are accessible to you as a user, and resolve technical issues quickly when they arise. CPOs are also responsible for maintenance and repairs of the charging stations to ensure a safe and reliable charging experience.
We'll walk you through everything you need to know about CPOs - their responsibilities and why they're so important to a functioning charging infrastructure. You will also learn how they cooperate with other actors and what challenges lie ahead.
The CPO concept forms the basis of the charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. A Charge Point Operator is responsible for the installation, operation and maintenance of charging stations for electric cars. This means that the CPO ensures that the charging infrastructure works optimally around the clock for everyone who needs to charge.
A CPO forms the backbone of the charging infrastructure and ensures that charging stations remain operational and efficient. This includes responsibilities from the initial installation to the day-to-day management of the charging stations.
Charge Point Operators have overall responsibility for the daily operation and performance of the charging stations. The CPO monitors the stations, handles technical issues and ensures that the charging points are working properly. Interestingly, a CPO doesn't have to own the charging stations -- they can be a third party operating the stations for the owner.
ChargeNode, for example, drives charging stations to property owners, housing associations, transport & logistics with depot charging and companies such as Volvo, Riksbyggen, HSB and Wallenstam - where we are responsible for operation and maintenance while the customer owns the infrastructure.
A CPO is specifically responsible for:
This means that the CPO must ensure that charging stations are connected, functional, and available when you need them. The charging points must also be compatible with industry standards and protocols such as OCPP, OCPI and the recently introduced ISO standard ISO15118.
CPOs in Sweden must adhere to specific regulations and safety standards to ensure that charging stations meet both national and international requirements. User data is handled according to GDPR and other data protection laws to protect your privacy. Under new EU legislation, CPOs must also ensure card payment is available at all charging stations by 2027.
The electric car charging ecosystem consists of several different actors that are often confused with each other. A common confusion occurs between Charge Point Operators (CPOs) and Charge Point Owners (CPowners).
The CPO manages and maintains the charging stations while the CPowner actually owns the infrastructure. CPowners can be retailers, hotels, office buildings, or shopping malls that provide the physical space for the charging stations but often outsource the operation to a professional CPO.
eMobility Service Provider (eMSP) focuses on the digital and user-oriented side of electric car charging. The CPO is responsible for the physical infrastructure while the EMSP offers charging services to you as an end customer through apps, platforms or RFID cards that handle authentication, pricing and payments.
Simply put: the CPO operates the charging stations, the CPowners own them, and the EMSP connects you as the driver to the charging networks. Operators collaborate through open standards that enable safe and efficient data exchange, creating a cohesive charging ecosystem for electric cars.
Your charging experience will only be as good as the charge point operator standing behind the stations. Charge point operators have a far more complex mission than first meets the eye - far more than just “those who operate charging stations”. Their work ranges from round-the-clock technical monitoring to dealing with your queries when something goes wrong, and these responsibilities determine how smooth your charge will be.
We'll start with the most basic - making sure the charging stations actually work when you need them. The main task of a charge point operator is to keep the charging network reliable, accessible and stable all day, all year round. It means continuous monitoring of the charging stations and their status in real time. Using advanced systems, CPOs can remotely control charging sessions when needed and quickly act when problems arise.
Efficient operation also requires business insights and reporting tools that provide a clear picture of charging network performance. The data helps CPOs make smart decisions about capacity, location and efficiency.
Regular maintenance keeps the charging infrastructure in top condition. A CPO is responsible for both preventive maintenance and emergency error remediation. Usually a full service and overhaul of the charging stations is recommended about once a year.
At one service inspection carry out specialized techniques:
ChargeNode offers 24/7 support in English and answers the phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our technical expertise combined with preventive maintenance minimizes downtime and ensures a reliable charging experience.
Each service is documented in an inspection protocol showing the condition of the stations and what has been done. This is necessary because CPOs in Sweden must comply with strict regulations to ensure that the installation and operation of the charging infrastructure is of high quality and meets both national and international safety standards.
How much you pay and how it is handled by the CPO. There are several pricing models to choose from:
Under new EU laws (AFIR), CPOs must offer card payment options at all charging stations by 2027. Energy-based pricing is considered the most transparent and fair model, and is promoted by the European Commission for standardisation within the Union.
CPOs like ChargeNode implement spot pricing, which means the exact cost of energy can be billed based on the intraday market. This provides protection against fluctuating energy prices and can encourage you to charge when electricity is at its cheapest.
ChargeNode offers Automated payment flows which makes charging transparent and easy. Through our app, you can easily track your charging history, costs and manage payments. As a facility owner, you have full control over pricing in our portal.
ChargeNode is at:
Charge Point Operators work closely with specialized installers (CPI) for proper installation and ongoing maintenance of the charging stations. CPOs are responsible for operations, while installers provide technical expertise for both new installations and maintenance work.
The partnership works because installers have specific knowledge of local electrical installation rules and safety standards. Installers can also quickly exit in the event of technical problems, reducing downtime for charging stations. A well-functioning collaboration between CPO and CPI means that maintenance is managed efficiently, resulting in higher reliability for the entire charging network.
Cooperation between CPOs and grid operators is fundamental for a stable and reliable supply of electricity to the charging stations. CPOs must establish contact with grid operators to connect the stations to the grid.
Fast chargers require particularly close cooperation because they draw significantly more power. The grid operator must be able to guarantee that the network can withstand the load, especially where several charging stations are concentrated. CPOs and grid operators therefore need to work together on grid capacity; effect planning and possible grid reinforcements.
Roaming is one of the most important areas of cooperation of pre-modern CPOs. It allows you as an electric car owner to use different charging networks with a single account. CPOs connect their infrastructure to larger networks of charging stations across national borders through technical collaborations.
Roaming networks are built through three types of partnerships:
The success of the electric car market rests on effective collaboration between different actors: CPOs, installers, grid operators and roaming services. Each plays a unique role in building the infrastructure needed for a sustainable future.
The electrification of transport sector moving forward rapidly, and then a robust vehicle charging infrastructure becomes increasingly important. Charge point operators form the backbone of this development and make it possible to switch to sustainable transport.
You need to be able to trust the charging to work when you need it. Here, CPOs play a crucial role by ensuring high availability and reliability. ChargeNode achieves an uptime of over 99% for its charging stations through centralized system architecture and real-time monitoring. With data from over 4 million charging sessions, we can quickly identify and resolve issues before they affect you as a user.
Future-proofing the charging infrastructure is fundamental to meeting the growing demand. CPOs help property owners, condominium associations and businesses avoid expensive upgrades later through smart planning and the right technical solutions.
These aspects are central to a scalable charging infrastructure:
For condominium associations and property owners, future-proofing involves preparing cable routes, sizing for future needs, and strategically placing switchboards and control equipment, as with for example AMP5 as a scalable solution. If you think long term, you will avoid costly remodeling when more electric car owners join.
ChargeNode helps property owners and condominium associations plan for the future through scalable solutions. Our experience from 60,000 installed charging outlets shows that the right sizing from the start saves big costs when more tenants or members get electric cars.
CPOs in Sweden operate under strict regulation to ensure that the installation and operation of the charging infrastructure is of high quality. They must meet both national and international safety standards.
CPOs must also properly handle user data under GDPR and other data protection laws to protect your privacy. Energy management is strictly regulated, and operators must comply with regulations on energy consumption and meet established sustainability targets.
Under new EU legislation, all charging stations must offer the option of card payment by 2027. This underlines the importance of standardised and user-friendly payment solutions.
CPOs create interoperability between different systems and manufacturers by using open standards such as OCPP. It provides a smoother experience for everyone involved - from hardware manufacturers and software vendors to you as the end user.
ChargeNode is one of the pioneers of smart charging in the Nordic countries. Our charging service optimizes when and how cars are charged to minimize power peaks and lower electricity costs. By entering your departure time in the app The system prioritizes that your car gets the charge it needs before you go - while the system intelligently distributes the power between everyone charging. With data from millions of charging sessions, we continuously develop the market's leading services for efficient and sustainable charging.
ChargeNode was founded out of a frustration over a lack of availability at charging stations. Today we are the leading CPO in the Nordic region with over 60,000 charging outlets and 200,000 users charging in our systems every month.
Our success is based on three pillars:
ChargeNode not only operates charging stations - we are driving the transition to fossil-free mobility in the Nordic region.
CPOs are simply the cornerstone of the green transition when it comes to transportation. As the electric car market grows rapidly, charge point operators are becoming increasingly important for you to have a reliable and user-friendly charging experience.
We know that operators face challenges. Technical problems, complex regulatory frameworks and market changes require constant adaptation. CPOs need to balance cost with reliability and ensure your charging experience runs smoothly.
The charging infrastructure of the future will require even smarter solutions. Smart charging, renewable energy and two-way communication between your car and the grid represent the next step. CPOs need to keep developing open standards like OCPP to ensure that everything works together.
Collaboration is the key going forward. Through partnerships with installers, grid operators and roaming services, charge point operators create a system that benefits everyone - from electric car drivers to property owners.
A successful CPO not only manages day-to-day operations, but also shapes the charging infrastructure of the future. Through innovation, regulatory alignment, and a focus on making charging easy for you, CPOs can bridge the gap between today's needs and tomorrow's opportunities.
Charge point operators play a crucial role in the electrification of the transport sector. With the right skills and technology, they can meet today's challenges and lead the way towards sustainable electric car charging - both in Sweden and globally.
What is a CPO and what role do they play in the charging infrastructure of electric cars? A CPO (Charge Point Operator) is a company or organization responsible for operating, maintaining and monitoring electric vehicle charging stations. They play a critical role in ensuring that charging infrastructure is reliable, accessible and efficient 24/7.
What are the main responsibilities of a CPO? A CPO's main responsibilities include operating and monitoring charging stations, maintenance and technical support, managing pricing and payment solutions, and customer support to ensure a smooth user experience.
How do CPOs collaborate with other EV charging players? CPOs work closely with charging station installers (CPI) for installation and maintenance, grid operators to ensure stable electricity supply, and roaming services to enable the use of different charging networks with a single account.
Why are CPOs crucial to the development breeding vehicle infrastructure? CPOs are critical because they ensure high availability and reliability of charging stations, enable scalability and future-proofing of infrastructure, and work for standardization and safety in the charging industry.
What challenges do CPOs face in the future? Future challenges for CPOs include addressing technical barriers such as compatibility between different chargers, adapting to new regulations and market requirements, as well as innovation in smart charging and integration with renewable energy sources.
Why Choose ChargeNode as CPO? ChargeNode is the leading charging operator in the Nordic region with over 60,000 charging outlets and 200,000 users. We offer the best uptime on the market (99% +), 24/7 support in Swedish, smart charging that lowers electricity costs, and scalable infrastructure that grows with your needs. Our solutions are used by leading companies and property owners such as Volvo, Riksbyggen, HSB and Wallenstam.
Charge Node Europe AB
Neongatan 4B
431 53 Molndal
