&Charge newsroom

&Charge, a leading provider of user-driven insights in the EV charging sector, has joined forces with Wirelane, a premier Charge Point Operator (CPO) specializing in publicly accessible AC charging infrastructure. This partnership aims to enhance charging quality and reliability across Germany, reinforcing the shared commitment of both companies to improving the EV driver experience.

Through the collaboration, &Charge’s active driver community consisting of over 70,000 members, the &Charge Crowd, will check, test, and review Wirelane’s charging stations, ensuring optimal performance and transparency in public charging. The collected insights will help refine Wirelane’s services and set new benchmarks for AC charging reliability.

"We’re excited to work with Wirelane to improve the quality of AC charging across Germany," said Simon Vogt, Co-Founder of &Charge. "EV drivers deserve a seamless charging experience, and by integrating user feedback directly into operations, we’re making that happen."

“From our first pilot to our new partnership, the feedback from the &Charge Crowd has been invaluable for improving everything from site discoverability to chargepoint uptime. We’re excited to accelerate our growth with the help of &Charge.” said Constantin Schwaab, Founder and CEO of Wirelane.”

This partnership underscores both companies' dedication to enhancing transparency, usability, and customer satisfaction in EV charging. As Germany accelerates its transition to eMobility, collaborations like this play a key role in shaping a more reliable and user-friendly charging ecosystem.

About &Charge
&Charge is a leading user-driven data platform in eMobility, empowering Charge Point Operators (CPOs) to optimize charging networks through real-time driver insights. By leveraging its engaged EV community, &Charge provides actionable data on charging station performance, reliability, and customer experience, enabling CPOs to improve usability, reduce operational costs, and enhance service quality.

Through strategic partnerships, &Charge supports increasing charger uptime, improving trust scores, and delivering a seamless charging experience for EV drivers across Europe. Learn more about &Charge here: and-charge.com

About Wirelane
Wirelane is a leading German CPO offering AC charging solutions for public and private sectors. With a focus on smart software integration, seamless payments, and high-quality hardware, Wirelane is setting new standards for convenient and efficient EV charging. Discover more about Wirelane here: wirelane.com/en

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Case Study: JOLT x &Charge partnership

Overcoming Operational Challenges in Charging Infrastructure – the Power of an Engaged Community

For electric vehicle (EV) charging networks to gain widespread acceptance and operate at peak efficiency, charging stations need to function flawlessly, be accessible at all times, and are kept clean and well-maintained.
Ensuring this level of quality on a day-to-day basis is no easy task for operators of rapid charging networks. Not every issue can be detected remotely or diagnosed via a backend system — and that’s where the challenge lies.

This is where JOLT has tapped into the Power of the EV Community. A highly engaged user base proactively reports issues such as faulty plugs, non-functioning displays, or blocked charging stations, by ICE vehicles or otherwise - allowing for rapid response times and ensuring a smooth, reliable charging experience.
To foster this close collaboration between operator and user, JOLT has partnered with &Charge. This strategic alliance is driving continued improvements in the quality and availability of the charging infrastructure, all with one clear goal in mind: delivering the best possible charging experience for every user.

A Solution That Benefits Everyone

Thanks to the &Charge crowd – a dedicated community of EV drivers – JOLT receives valuable real-time user feedback. This enables targeted optimisation of service quality and operational processes.
Faults are identified early and proactively, with detailed insights supported by real-time data and user-submitted images.
As a result, engineer call-outs can be planned with precision and coordinated more efficiently. 

How is Real-Time Data Collected?
- Users carry out regular visual checks at JOLT charging stations.
- Through the &Charge app, they are guided step by step through questions specifically tailored to JOLT’s infrastructure.
- Any faults are documented in a precise and standardised manner, complete with supporting images.
- Using AI, &Charge then classifies the feedback and highlights key findings as prioritised Incidents in the &Charge dashboard – saving both time and valuable resources.

Using the check-in feature in the &Charge app, with a simple 👍 or  👎 users can also provide quick, on-the-spot feedback about the charging station while on site.‍

Site Maintenance at JOLT Charging Stations with the &Charge Crowd

In addition to technical issues, users can also report non-technical incidents at JOLT stations, such as littering or vandalism.
The challenge for JOLT: Even minor issues at charging sites should be resolved quickly – without the need for costly cleaning services.
The innovative solution: With &Charge, JOLT can actively involve EV drivers in the process and motivate them to lend a hand by addressing minor issues themselves while on site.  

A Solution That Benefits Everyone  

Optimised Operating Costs for JOLT: Fewer service call-outs thanks to community-driven support and proactive involvement from the EV community.
Well-Maintained Charging Stations for All: Ongoing user feedback and the commitment of engaged EV drivers from the &Charge crowd ensure that stations are consistently monitored and well looked after.
Free Charging for Active EV Drivers: As a reward for their contributions, EV drivers earn points in the &Charge app ("&Charge km"), which can be redeemed for charging credit directly at JOLT stations.

How JOLT Actively Engages the &Charge Crowd:

• Visual inspections every two weeks – for early detection and resolution of faults
• Ad-hoc validations and photo documentation on site of incidents reported via the backend or hotline‍
• Charging tests to verify the functionality of the stations‍
• Ongoing collection and integration of user feedback with processes through the “Check-in” feature‍
• Ad-hoc Challenges with tasks for especially committed users‍

Best Practice: Removing Stickers from Charging Stations
As part of the digitalisation of pricing information at charging stations, the &Charge crowd reliably removed outdated pricing stickers at 36 JOLT stations across Germany – all in under 10 days.

The &Charge Marketplace – Smart Access to a Reliable Network of Service Providers

There are, however, certain CPO tasks that must be entrusted to experienced service providers, such as vinyl wrapping of charging stations, deep cleaning of the sites, maintaining green spaces, or snow removal services.
To address these needs, &Charge is currently expanding its network with carefully selected and qualified service providers. These providers can be commissioned through the &Charge Marketplace, with all tasks documented via the dedicated &Charge Service Provider app.
This ensures that JOLT can continue to rely on the clear documentation in the &Charge dashboard and the smooth execution of these tasks.

Availability vs. Usability: JOLT’s Commitment to Tackling Illegal Parking and Promoting Fairness on the Roads

A functional and well-maintained charging infrastructure is crucial for electromobility, but simply having charging stations available doesn’t necessarily mean they are usable.
Charging spaces are often blocked by vehicles that are not charging. For EV drivers, this can become a real issue when a charging station, shown as "available" in the app, is in reality occupied by a non-charging vehicle, especially when they arrive with a low battery level.
To address this, a culture of cooperation and mutual consideration is essential.
In collaboration with &Charge, a solution was developed to report blocked charging points via the &Charge app.

JOLT is committed to ensuring that charging stations remain reliably usable.
Through an enhanced Check-In feature – and as a regular element of the &Charge Challenges – all relevant data on parking violations is collected, enabling JOLT to follow up in a targeted and effective manner.
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This initiative against improper parking isn’t about punishment – it’s about a greater purpose: EV drivers should be able to rely fully on public charging infrastructure. Because only through mutual consideration and responsible use of charging stations can we truly advance electromobility.

Community Power Meets Smart Technology

While JOLT continues to enhance the charging experience in its role as a Charge Point Operator, &Charge brings technical expertise and the power of an engaged community into the process.
Together, JOLT and &Charge are setting a benchmark for the sustainable and fair use of charging infrastructure. This partnership combines forward-thinking vision, smart technology, and active community involvement to tackle the challenges of the e-mobility sector – efficiently and at scale.
It’s all about creating a charging experience that’s not only available, but truly usable.

The partnership between JOLT and &Charge is redefining standards in EV charging infrastructure.
It demonstrates how data-driven feedback can make a lasting impact on user experience and operational excellence.
JOLT is positioning itself as a clear leader in the field of rapid charging and is continuously working to optimise its infrastructure for the benefit of its users.

Together, &Charge and JOLT are shaping the future of electromobility!

For more information visit https://jolt.energy/en-de/ and https://b2b.and-charge.com/

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&Charge, a leading e-mobility innovator with a platform that is enhancing the Electric Vehicle (EV) charging experience, announces a groundbreaking partnership with E.ON Drive Infrastructure (EDRI), a market leader in the operation of public charging infrastructure for electric vehicles across Europe.

This collaboration marks a significant milestone in both companies’ commitment to accelerating the accessibility and reliability of EV charging stations across the continent, aligning with the ambitious Deutschlandnetz initiative in Germany.

As Europe shifts towards sustainable transport, the demand for effective and accessible EV charging solutions is escalating. &Charge and EDRI are uniting their expertise to address the increasing needs of electric vehicle users and charge point operators (CPOs).

Empowering CPOs with advanced operations management

&Charge’s platform revolutionizes the EV charging experience by leveraging an advanced CPMS and the insights of a 60,000-strong E-Mobilist community who actively monitor the charging network. This approach not only streamlines operations and reduces costs but also elevates the overall user experience through user-generated feedback and AI analytics – allowing for enhanced reputation management for CPOs.

The partnership aims to enhance EDRI’s service offerings with comprehensive support from &Charge’s platform, incorporating regular site visits and check-in functionalities. These efforts are geared towards ensuring technical reliability, increasing station up-times and meeting customer expectations for a smooth charging experience.

A united vision for Deutschlandnetz compliance

A key aspect of this partnership is supporting EDRI’s alignment with the Deutschlandnetz initiative’s requirements, promoting a standardized and inclusive EV charging network across Germany. &Charge’s innovative platform and community-driven feedback are instrumental in meeting the initiative’s rigorous standards, paving the way for a unified and efficient charging infrastructure.

About E.ON Drive Infrastructure (EDRI)

E.ON Drive Infrastructure, a subsidiary of the E.ON group, is a pan-European charge point operator (CPO) for  public charging infrastructure EDRI operates over  6,000 public charging points and is committed to expanding its network by 1,000 high power chargers annually to support the growing demand of electric vehicles.

For more information about EDRI, visit edri.com

About &Charge

&Charge offers an innovative platform that enhances the EV charging management experience by engaging a vibrant community of E-Mobilists who actively monitor the charging network and give detailed station assessments. By addressing the operational challenges faced by CPOs, &Charge facilitates a user-centric environment that ensures reliable, accessible, and efficient EV charging services.

For more information on &Charge and its diverse range of e-mobility partners, please visit and-charge.com/emobility-partner.

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We are delighted to tell you about an exciting adventure by our users Marcus and Alex. For the second time since 2023, the two of them have undertaken an impressive 6,000-kilometer road trip in their electric cars, mastering countless &Charge challenges along the way. Last year, we reported on their first tour of Northern Europe. This year, they chose a different route. It was worth it in many ways.

Here are some of the highlights of their trip, which took them from Germany to the world-famous Nordkapp in Norway. Below you can find out how you too can experience such adventures with &Charge.

160 Standard Challenges solved:
Together, Marcus and Alex have solved a total of 160 Standard Challenges. Marcus has mastered 89 challenges and Alex 71.
Pro tip: IONITY Standard Challenges are offered every 14 days

‍IONITY Challenges:
The two have set a new record in Norway for the most IONITY Challenges solved in one month, simply incredible!
Pro tip: IONITY Challenges are offered throughout Europe, including in your country.

Alex reports that the challenges fitted seamlessly into her itinerary. Their route crossed many of the challenges anyway, so it didn’t take any extra effort to solve them. The breaks at the IONITY stations were welcome and gave them the opportunity to recover. They made efficient use of the charging times, and the &Charge challenges were an enjoyable way for them to pass the time.

The trip itself was relaxed and free of time pressure, allowing them to enjoy each stage to the full. The journey was the real goal. Alex found it particularly rewarding how the challenges improved his perception of the charging points. By consciously recording the status of the charging points, it became clear how reliable the charging infrastructure is, even in the remote areas of Norway.

The trip to Nordkapp was not only proof of the performance of electric cars over long distances, but also a cultural enrichment. We had some great conversations at the charging stations. Marcus and Alex showed how exciting and uncomplicated road trips can be with the right knowledge and the &Charge challenges. The quality and reliability of the charging stations were remarkable, which strengthens confidence in electromobility.

We are proud to have such dedicated and adventurous members in our &Charge community and would like to thank Markus and Alex for sharing their experiences with us. Perhaps their story will inspire you to plan your own road trip.

‍Would you also like to experience adventures with &Charge?The more challenges you complete, the more likely it is that we will offer you curated tours in your region. Our range of challenges and tours is constantly being expanded, so check regularly for open challenges in your area and during your trip.

‍Tip: If you haven’t yet completed the “Driver Survey” challenge, keep an eye out for it. This will register you for tours in your region.

&Charge is delighted to announce a new partnership with evyve, one of the UK’s rapidly growing electric vehicle (EV) charging networks. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in &Charge’s mission to enhance the EV charging experience and infrastructure across the UK and Europe.

evyve, recently voted the en-route ‘Up and Coming Network’ 2024 by Zapmap, boasts an expanding network of over 520 charging points nationwide. Through this partnership, EV drivers can now leverage the &Charge platform to provide real-time feedback on their charging experiences at evyve stations.

Enhanced charging experience

EV drivers using the &Charge app can complete ‘Challenges’ at evyve charging stations. These challenges include reviewing and rating the functionality, cleanliness and overall experience of the charging stations. This valuable feedback is relayed directly to the evyve operations team, enabling them to quickly identify and resolve issues, ensuring a seamless charging experience for all users.

Earn rewards for feedback

As an added incentive, drivers who complete &Charge ‘Challenges’ will earn &Charge km credits, redeemable within the &Charge app for free charging sessions at popular networks such as Octopus Electroverse, Elli, Hyundai, KIA, and Plugsurfing, for Amazon vouchers or even for charity donations.

Quick and convenient QR code feedback

Another way to provide feedback is via the &Charge Check-In feature, which allows drivers to give short feedback directly at the charging station via a QR code. This process requires no registration and can be completed in just three clicks, making it incredibly user-friendly. Feedback is instantly shared with the evyve service team, helping to maintain high standards of service and infrastructure.

A commitment to quality

This partnership underscores &Charge’s commitment to fostering a robust feedback and quality assurance system. 

“We are now delighted to be working with evyve, one of the largest operators of public DC charging in the UK. This is an important milestone for &Charge in the rapidly developing UK market.” said Simon Vogt, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of &Charge.

‍“What both companies have in common is that we are owner-managed and fully committed to the successful ramp-up of electric mobility. With our Pro-Active Monitoring Service, we provide evyve with the added value in terms of efficiency, reliability and customer satisfaction that is essential for success. We are looking forward to a fruitful cooperation.” 

James Moat, CEO of evyve, added: “evyve are thrilled to be one of the first CPOs in the UK to utilise the &Charge platform. This partnership promotes an important line of communication with the end user, with customer engagement and feedback being key to the management of our network.  The feedback we receive from &Charge users will contribute to evyve achieving 99% uptime and delivering a high-quality service to our customers.”

About &Charge

&Charge is a leading platform dedicated to improving the electric vehicle charging experience through real-time feedback via the &Charge Marketplace. By connecting EV drivers with charging station operators, &Charge ensures a high-quality and reliable charging network.

For more information, visit and-charge.com/emobility-partner

About evyve

Creating solutions that have a greater impact on the planet, evyve operates charging stations at retail and leisure outlets, business parks and restaurants. Committed to supporting the roll-out of EV infrastructure, evyve strives to create a safe, secure and convenient charging network for drivers.

With the increase in all-electric cars (BEVs) in the Netherlands & Belgium, holiday planning is becoming increasingly important for EV drivers. The recent  survey of Elektrische Autovakanties conducted among 965 Dutch and Belgian electric car drivers, offers valuable insights into how EV drivers plan and experience their holidays. In this article, we focus on three key aspects: charging on the road, activities during charging stops and apps used during the holiday.

Charging on the Road

One of the biggest concerns for EV drivers is charging on the road. Fortunately, the survey shows that charging infrastructure in Europe has improved significantly, with major countries such as France and Germany standing out positively.
France gets a score of 4.17 on a scale of 1 to 5 for its charging infrastructure, which is a big improvement on last year. These improvements help reduce ‘range anxiety’, which meant that only 1.54% of EV drivers were stopped by a flat battery.

Tesla Superchargers remain a popular choice among EV drivers. By 2024, 43.6% of EV drivers will have used a Tesla Supercharger. The availability of more fast chargers along popular routes in Europe and lower Tesla charging costs are key factors contributing to this increase.

Despite the new European AFIR legislation, which should reduce the number of charging passes needed, holidaymakers still take an average of 3.6 charging passes with them to ensure themselves the ability to charge while on the road.

Most popular activities during Charging Stops

Charging stops provide EV drivers with the perfect opportunity for a break between travelling long distances on the motorway. The survey shows that ‘letting kids play (let off steam)’ increased tremendously as an activity during charging stops. This highlights the need for parents to combine charging stops with a place where there is a playground or grass area for the kids.

There has also been an increase in the number of holidaymakers shopping and popping in for groceries during charging stops. The development of charging stations at shops abroad means that many holidaymakers combine a charging stop with buying a fresh sandwich at the supermarket. Other popular activities include visiting the toilet, eating a meal and drinking coffee.

‍With the free &Charge app, you can make your charging stops during the summer holidays extra useful, because by completing tasks (e.g. give feedback on the charging experience in the &Charge Challenges) while charging, you can earn free credits (km) and redeem them for free charging. Thus make sure your holiday is a lot cheaper.

Apps used during the holidays

The app &Charge is one of the apps holidaymakers use during the holidays. Besides collecting free credits (km), many travelers plan their route with a route planner app or search for charging stations along the route with Google Maps.

There are also an increasing number of EV drivers who follow the navigation in the electric car by using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto to link the route planner app with the car. That way, you can easily track your route and charging stops via your EV’s infotainment screen.

The availability of the various apps and route planners helps EV drivers plan their journeys efficiently and avoid unexpected situations, contributing to a worry-free and enjoyable holiday experience. Especially when people use the &Charge app during a charging stop to collect free charge credit.

In addition, after the survey results were analysed, a drawing was held among the participants: a lucky winner was randomly selected to receive 2,500 Km from &Charge. 

Conclusion ‍

The research report of Elektrische Autovakanties shows that EV drivers will be better prepared and more confident to go on holiday in 2024. Improved charging infrastructure, increasingly better facilities available during a charging stop and the use of convenient apps and route planners all contribute to a positive experience. With these insights, EV drivers can look forward to carefree holidays and enjoy their electric driving experiences across Europe.