As the adoption of IoT continues to grow globally, we are moving towards an era of heightened connectivity; one of the latest industries to adopt IoT is electric vehicle (EV) charging. The surge in EV charging stations has played a significant role in driving the adoption of electric cars.

Rising concerns about carbon dioxide emissions, energy conservation, and the sustainability of fossil fuels, EVs are becoming increasingly common worldwide. As the market expands, so does the demand for smart charging stations. Currently, many EV charging stations are decentralised/non- networked chargers and structurally complex, making them challenging for on-site personnel to manage and maintain. In this blog, we’ll explore the advantages of IoT, discuss why connected EV chargers represent the future, and explain how they simplify the management of your EV charging stations.

Problems faced with decentralised/non-networked chargers

The genuine challenge lies not in the installation of numerous charging stations but in the capability to manage and operate these dispersed devices efficiently. Managing decentralised/non-networked EV chargers comes with its own set of unique challenges. High maintenance costs are often associated with field visits needed for troubleshooting charge points. This is not just a financial concern—every minute of downtime translates into lost business and customer dissatisfaction, making efficiency and reliability key.

Role of connectivity in the EV charging ecosystem

EV chargers need the “always-on” solution for several key reasons. Firstly, this type of connectivity ensures that EV chargers are always accessible and ready to serve customers, enhancing user experience and increasing usage rates. Secondly, it allows for real-time monitoring and management of the charging units. This includes tracking their performance, conducting remote diagnostics, executing software updates, and troubleshooting issues promptly, which can significantly reduce downtime and maintenance costs and offer the capability for third-party companies to collect important demographic details.

 These details can range from identifying who is charging their vehicle, pinpointing the time of the day when charging occurs, to noting the type of car being charged. Such information is invaluable in tailoring services and solutions to serve the EV charging community better. Lastly, it provides for the swift processing of payments and immediate updating of customer usage data, ensuring seamless and efficient transactions. It also triggers instant alerts in any disruptions such as power outages or system malfunctions, thereby improving response times and overall system dependability, maximising EV charging operations’ efficiency, reliability, and profitability.

Multi-network connectivity is crucial in the Electric Vehicle (EV) charging landscape. It ensures uninterrupted network coverage by automatically switching between networks based on the strength of signals. This technology is instrumental.

Why security is so important

Security for IoT SIMs in Electric Vehicle (EV) chargers is paramount. IoT SIMs, which provide the cellular connectivity for these chargers, handle a significant amount of sensitive data. This includes customer details, payment information, and technical data about the charging process. If this information falls into the wrong hands due to inadequate security, it could lead to serious consequences such as financial loss, identity theft, or even sabotage of the charging infrastructure. Furthermore, secure IoT SIMs ensure the reliable operation of EV chargers by protecting them from potential cyber-attacks that could disrupt their functionality, leading to downtime and loss of revenue. They also allow for secure remote management of the chargers, enabling real-time monitoring, software updates, and troubleshooting. In essence, security for IoT SIMs is essential in maintaining the integrity, reliability, and trustworthiness of EV charging systems.

To bolster security, we advise for organisations to use Fixed IP SIMs for connectivity. Fixed IP SIMs provide secure, direct, two-way communication between chargers and management systems, making each charger uniquely identifiable on the network. This simplifies remote troubleshooting and maintenance tasks, reduces downtime, and enhances operational efficiency. Fixed IPs also allow for stringent security measures, like firewalls and secure VPN tunnels, protecting sensitive data against cyber threats. To further bolster security, Anvil advises organizations to reinforce their EV charger connection within their own VPN, creating secure networks that link directly from our data center to your charging unit. By assigning each SIM card a Fixed Static Private IP address and incorporating a firewall, we ensure users access only approved internet services

Here at Anvil we are connecting EV chargers by providing secure Cellular IoT network connectivity and infrastructure contact us below to see how we could help you connect your EV charger