Navigating the challenges of e-mobility software development

Nothing ignites our passion more than visionary ideas with the potential to benefit multiple users. While we may not conduct eccentric experiments like Nikola Tesla did with lightning in his laboratory, we share his spirit of visualising complex inventions before bringing them to life.

One area that captivates adventurous minds is e-mobility. Electric vehicles are seen as a promising solution, offering a cleaner alternative to the smoky breath of combustion engines.

As the adoption of electric vehicles continues to grow, the development of efficient e-mobility software becomes crucial. However, this domain presents several unique challenges that developers must navigate.

Let’s explore the key challenges faced in e-mobility software development

Kuba Waliński, founder and CEO of Happy Team and a passionate Tesla driver, shares his insights on the key challenges in e-mobility software development and potential strategies to overcome them.

What makes you the right person to discuss e-mobility software development with?

Kuba: [laugh] Well, first of all, let’s go back to my educational background. I graduated from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Computer Science, and Automatics at the Lodz University of Technology. What’s interesting is that some of the developers in Happy Team also graduated from the same faculty. This means that we not only have programming skills but also deep expertise in electric circuitry and electronics. You won’t need to explain voltage or current to us – we understand how all of it works. This combination of theoretical and practical knowledge gives us a strong foundation in both electrical engineering and computer science. When it comes to e-mobility software development, we leverage top-notch technologies that are widely recognised in the industry. Our proficiency extends to JavaScript/TypeScript, ReactJS, React Native, .NET, Docker, Kubernetes, multiple cloud providers (Azure, GCP, OVH) and other cutting-edge tools and frameworks.

But here’s where it gets exciting: I am genuinely passionate about e-mobility and drive my electric car regularly. I enjoy every aspect of it, but I also experience frustrations when the user experience falls short. This applies particularly to the software that every electric car driver relies on. As an e-mobility enthusiast, I can relate to the needs and expectations of fellow drivers.

What are the main frustrations e-drivers face when it comes to e-mobility software?

Kuba: One common frustration is the use of white-label software by many charging networks, which often leads to a subpar user experience. There can be several pain points, from the registration process to card payments and the overall app speed and performance. Let me give you an example: you arrive at a charging station, connect your e-charger, and… your software doesn’t indicate whether the charging has started or not. This uncertainty can be extremely frustrating. Will it work? Is the charging actually happening?

Is customised e-mobility software the solution to the current challenges?

Kuba: Absolutely, that’s the right direction. I understand the initial need for cost-effectiveness, especially in the early stages, and that’s perfectly fine. However, as networks grow and evolve, customised software becomes essential. Each network and specific group of clients have their own unique needs, which is when dedicated e-mobility software development should come into play. For example, if you’re staying at a hotel and want to charge your car overnight, you would likely use an alternating current (AC) charger in the hotel parking lot. These chargers are slower, but time isn’t a concern since you’ll be sleeping, and your car can charge at a leisurely pace. On the other hand, when you’re driving long distances and need to charge your vehicle along the highway, the chargers there are direct current (DC) and should provide quick charging to minimise stop times. These two scenarios require different approaches, and the software should be tailored accordingly.

How would you envision the perfect e-mobility software?

Kuba: The Holy Grail, the ultimate goal of e-mobility software development is to achieve a seamless plug-n-charge solution. The ideal scenario would involve users simply connecting their vehicles to chargers without any additional steps required to initiate charging. However, this task is complex due to the varying producers and infrastructure compatibility.

In terms of functionality, I envision a unified solution that combines charger availability information with route planning capabilities. This means creating a single app that consolidates data from multiple e-charging networks, providing real-time status updates on charger availability, and offering navigation features to determine the most efficient route.

Another crucial aspect is providing software for users with home charging stations. A lot more can be done for them than just providing a charging cable. They should have access to an app that connects to the internet, allowing them to monitor the charging process and view statistics from their mobile device or laptop. They should also be able to easily manage the charging process, such as selecting the optimal time to charge the vehicle when electricity rates are at their lowest. Integration with Smart Home solutions could further enhance the user experience by centralising control in one place. We have numerous ideas on how to improve the user experience, and our team is fully prepared to take on this challenge.

Let’s take a closer look at software development from the perspective of charging network operators. What can be done to support their needs?

Kuba: We should consider the perspective of charging network operators as well. From their standpoint, comprehensive, stable, and reliable e-mobility software is essential. This software would enable the maintenance team to monitor the charging networks, including the performance of each charger. It would provide valuable insights into the system’s overall effectiveness, popular locations, and usage patterns.

For operators, it’s crucial to optimise their charging network and ensure a seamless user experience to attract and retain clients. They need to understand how to make their chargers stand out among competitors and guide drivers to choose them over others. It’s all about optimisation, client retention, and expanding the customer base. The e-mobility software developers need to address these needs.

Can Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things play a role in e-mobility software development?

Kuba: Beyond a shadow of a doubt. There is tremendous potential for Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things to revolutionise the e-mobility software landscape. AI can significantly enhance the user experience by offering personalised services and optimising the charging process. Through AI algorithms, factors such as electricity rates, user preferences, and historical charging patterns can be analysed to provide intelligent recommendations. Additionally, machine learning models can predict the range of electric vehicles based on driving habits, weather conditions, traffic patterns, and other relevant factors.

Moreover, the Internet of Things (IoT) devices can provide real-time monitoring and control capabilities, improving safety and security in e-mobility systems. IoT-enabled devices can gather data from charging stations, vehicles, and infrastructure, enabling efficient management and maintenance of the charging network.

There are quite a few challenges for e-mobile software development on the road ahead!

Kuba: Yes! The development of e-mobility software is an ever-evolving journey, and that’s what ignites our passion as a software development team. We thrive on the dynamic nature of this industry and embrace the opportunity to tackle and overcome these challenges head-on.

Are you searching for a trusted partner in e-mobility software development? Look no further – contact us today!