5 monetisation strategies every CPO should consider

Every 29 minutes, another EV charger is connected to the grid in the United Kingdom. This is a great news for Britons, as 25% of cars sold in February 2025 were electric. However, not all charge point operators have reasons to celebrate.

Are you one of those people who wonder why, despite the growing number of EV owners, their customer base is stuck? Discover what you can do to increase your ROI in electric vehicle charging points and how the right e-mobility software can help.

Quick summary: Electric car owners expect convenient solutions that go beyond simply charging their vehicles. Without cooperation with local shops, dynamic price adjustments and the selection of profitable locations, charge point operators will struggle to succeed.

Software solutions are a great way to boost revenue. EV chargers can be connected to vehicle management systems, mobile apps with cool partner discounts, and advertisers who'll pay to show ads on the chargers.

Is your EV charging infrastructure not paying off? Here's why.

In most cases, the installation of an electric vehicle charger isn't enough to fully monetise or maximise business potential. Make sure you're not making one of the most common mistakes that (for now, at least) is stopping you from earning more money.

You choose places densely covered with charging stations

The emobility ecosystem is strongest in big city centres and along motorways. Even though that's usually where most people charge their vehicles, building extra chargers might not be worth it. Sadly, still not many charging station owners decide to install EV charging stations in more rural areas because of land prices and lower interest rates.

You don’t cooperate with local services

Probably few of us would stop at a petrol station that has nothing but fuel pumps. We are used to being able to wash splattered headlights, use the toilet and buy coffee while at the station. Charging an electric car battery takes longer, so it is worth inviting EV drivers to spend their time efficiently by recommending nearby services.

Your business model has limited flexibility

Why are Tesla charging services so popular among EV owners? It's not because of the globally recognised brand. Tesla, like other commercial EV charger operators, is dynamically adapting its offer to attract users. They know that selling electric power isn't enough, because customers expect attractive prices and many additional benefits.

Tesla has built a network of super-fast and ultra-fast chargers that reduce charging times compared to other CPOs' solutions. Plus, thanks to membership in the Tesla Supercharger programme, users pay less for charging by paying a low fee (£8.99/month). Seeing the success of its strategy, in 2024, Tesla made over 860 chargers available in the UK for electric cars of all brands. This move allowed Tesla to expand its customer base, increase revenue and gain momentum for further growth.

5 strategies to monetise your EV charging stations

The total cost of installing EV stations is high, and when revenue doesn't cover initial investments, frustration can grow. Discover five proven ways to develop your existing business model and real stories of companies that got it right.

Integration with fleet management applications

Fleet management companies are looking beyond charging points and choosing entire software ecosystems. Platforms such as EV Connect and AMPECO offer software that integrates charging station management with fleet monitoring. This solution enables fleet operators to monitor location and availability, check the status of chargers and cars, and use the data to optimise costs and operations.

Integration features include:

• proactive problem alerts,
• centralised data access,
• automatic charging scheduling.

The integration enables operators to boost efficiency and reduce downtime. You, as an infrastructure provider, can earn a fixed fee for access to these solutions.

Joining membership programmes

EV drivers surveyed by Paythru want to link electric car charging with a range of conveniences. According to the survey results, 73% of them would like to participate in loyalty programmes offering rewards and other benefits. An impressive 80% would be interested in discounts at local cafés and shops.

As an electric charger operator, you could give users bonus points for each charge, which they could exchange for discounts or free products at local service points. Having the chance to earn points or get deals on other activities, customers would have a solid reason to choose your charging points.

Dynamic charging tariffs for EV drivers

If there are several electric chargers at one place, customers will check which one offers the lowest price per kWh. Many operators use dynamic tariffs, i.e. price differentiation depending on the time of day and interest in charging. This is already practiced by companies such as Tesla and EVgo. In contrast, Tibber and Spirii Go adjust their charging rates hourly based on changing market prices for electricity.

Using dynamic pricing is a win-win situation. On the one hand, you encourage customers to choose you because of your attractive prices, and on the other hand, you can apply a higher margin and optimise your revenue.

Cooperation with shopping centres

Not sure where to put your next chargers? Reach out to local shop owners, shopping centres, and other service providers. Research shows that shops which offer electric chargers can expect higher profits.

Depending on your arrangements with retailers, electric vehicle charging will be offered:

• At the standard price per kWh,
• Free during shopping (IKEA),
• As part of a subscription (Fastned).

This means customers come shopping, charge their cars at a really good price, making it a win-win for both the shop owners and your EV charging business.

Info: Tesla also offers a subscription model, which provides EV owners with lower prices per kWh as part of the membership.

Advertising space at charging stations

Besides making money from EV owners, you can also monetise EV charging stations by offering companies the chance to show ads on your electric chargers and in your mobile app. People who prefer to spend their charging time near their car are more likely to see the ads and buy something.

The Australian company JOLT offers its customers free charging thanks to advertising revenue from nearby shops and service providers. Each driver can get about 7 kWh of energy per day. According to JOLT's own research, during charging, 70% of EV charging users went shopping, and 8 out of 10 of them made purchases. Similar solutions are also available in France and Germany.

EV software development solutions – the way for increased revenue stream

Do you see what all the above ways to generate additional income from charging solutions have in common? To implement them, you need EV software development solutions. Starting with software that integrates the charger network with fleet management systems, to an app for customers that allows them to locate charging stations and make payments.

Happy Team is here to help you create the software you need. We deliver where other EV software companies can’t. Our solutions are diverse: from charging station management systems and payment system integrations to EV driver apps. We can build tailored systems from scratch or modernise legacy code.

For Eversure Infinity, Happy Team's developers created an effective navigation system from scratch. In just 10 weeks, they had developed an MVP, which was further expanded to include a low battery notification system, integration with payment systems, and real-time display of available charging stations. The app is available for iOS and Android devices.

Wrapping up

The number of electric chargers is going to grow. So, if you want people to choose your charging stations as often as possible, leverage the role of e-mobility software development in boosting your profits.

Need a tech partner who knows how to turn EV traffic into revenue? Let’s talk.

FAQ – Software development for EV charging infrastructure

1. How does the software enable flexible prices and payment systems at EV charging stations?

Software such as charging point management systems, battery management systems and mobile applications lets you implement various pricing models. You can manage energy consumption charges, time-based rates, subscriptions and fast charging fees.

These systems provide flexibility in controlling tariffs and facilitate the billing process. With these systems, operators can adjust prices to meet the needs of drivers and market conditions, maximising revenue.

2. How does the software support building customer loyalty and increasing customer engagement at charging stations?

Custom software improves user experience and builds loyalty. With apps, you can introduce membership programmes that reward customers with discounts on charging services, products, or snacks. Mobile apps can also show the availability of chargers in real time.

3. Can the software create additional revenue streams for charging stations beyond charging fees?

Yes, software can generate additional revenue. One example is displaying digital advertisements on charger screens in exchange for fees from advertisers.

Although not directly generated by the software, offering easily accessible charging points (often managed by the software) can increase foot traffic in commercial areas, potentially leading to increased sales in related shops or service points.