&Charge newsroom

&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. 

&Charge is delighted to report a significant expansion of its partnership with MAINGAU Autostrom, marking a new chapter in their collaborative journey. With this enhanced cooperation, users of the MAINGAU Autostrom app can now effortlessly engage in the unique “&Charge Challenges” directly through the app. This integration enables users to earn “&Charge kilometers” for every completed challenge, which can be redeemed for complimentary charging sessions. Challenges range from evaluating the condition of charging points to sharing photos and providing essential details about charging locations.

&Charge’s partnership with MAINGAU Autostrom began in 2020, and it has been a story of mutual growth and shared visions. MAINGAU Autostrom customers enjoy the exclusive benefit of receiving 300 &Charge kilometers upon signing up for a MAINGAU electricity or gas contract, further bridging the gap between energy consumption and e-Mobility. In turn, the MAINGAU Autostrom app benefits from the wealth of charging station images contributed by the vibrant &Charge community, enriching the app’s data and user experience.

Simon Vogt, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of &Charge, reflects on the journey, stating, “Looking back on four years of successful collaboration, we are more excited than ever to deepen our partnership with MAINGAU. This milestone not only boosts &Charge’s visibility within the MAINGAU charging app but also introduces an innovative feature that enriches the user experience. It emphasizes our shared commitment to simplifying, enhancing, and energizing the electric mobility landscape.”

Richard Schmitz, Managing Director of MAINGAU, added: “By integrating &Charge into the MAINGAU Autostrom app, we are creating an additional incentive for our users to share their experiences at charging stations and benefit from rewards at the same time. With direct user feedback, we can improve the data basis of our app and thus optimize the charging experience for customers.” 

&Charge stands as a pioneer in gathering real-time insights at charging stations, leveraging their cutting-edge app and a crowd-sourced approach of over 70,000 e-Mobilists to create unparalleled value for the e-Mobility ecosystem. The &Charge platform, bolstered by the participation of more than 1,500 online stores, allows users to collect &Charge kilometers through a variety of actions, including feedback on charging experiences and online shopping.

Since its inception in 2019, &Charge has become a key player in the e-Mobility sector across 14 European markets, partnering with leading providers of charging solutions and charging station operators. The collaboration with MAINGAU Autostrom not only exemplifies our dedication to enhancing the e-Mobility experience but also signals our ambition to further enrich and expand our services in the future.

About MAINGAU Autostrom

MAINGAU Energie GmbH powers MAINGAU Autostrom, a frontrunner in Germany’s e-Mobility and energy sectors. Based in the Rhine-Main region, MAINGAU offers comprehensive services beyond traditional energy supply, including innovative e-Mobility solutions. With its launch in 2018, MAINGAU Autostrom quickly became a key player, serving over 230,000 customers and providing access to more than 550,000 charging points across Europe. The company’s success is reflected in its substantial turnover and numerous accolades, highlighting its commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction in the rapidly evolving world of e-Mobility.

Learn more about &Charge and how they are revolutionizing the EV charging network here:
https://and-charge.com/emobility-partner

Entering 2024, Charge Point Operators (CPOs) face the essential task of evolving their strategies in the fast-paced e-mobility sector. To increase charging success rates, it’s vital to focus on reducing operational costs while enhancing service quality.

In this blog, we will outline 3 practical ways for CPOs to enhance their charging station services with &Charge, meeting the escalating needs of electric vehicle users with efficiency and effectiveness. Our focus is on boosting operational efficiency, enhancing customer experience, and elevating service reliability—critical elements for thriving in the dynamic world of e-mobility.

Lower Operational Cost

By engaging the &Charge Crowd of over 70,000 E-Mobilists in Europe for station assessments and inspections, operational costs are significantly reduced. This unique approach minimizes the reliance on external technicians and optimizes the allocation of internal technician time, resulting in operational expenditure (OPEX) savings of up to several hundred euros per inspection.

Implementing the &Charge Support Bot optimizes call center operations, leading to significant cost savings by reducing call volumes.
By reducing the need for expensive technicians and streamlining call center operations, we guarantee a far more efficient charging business.

Increase Reliability

The regular involvement of the &Charge Crowd in station inspections and validations, augmented by the innovative Check-In feature, significantly boosts the reliability of your services. This community-driven approach is supported by &Charge’s technology, which includes sentiment detection to analyze user comments. This system prefilters feedback, reducing noise in follow-up actions.

Our incident management tool uses artificial intelligence (AI), which improves efficiency and ensures an accurate maintenance process, keeping charging networks at peak performance.

Users can easily rate their charging experience either through the &Charge app’s Check-In function or by scanning a QR Code available digitally or physically at the charging station. Such integration not only reinforces station dependability but also consistently upholds high service standards, ensuring a seamless and satisfactory experience that customers can rely on. We are now seeing an increasing number of our partners are making the QR code available to users.

Enhanced Customer Experience

At &Charge, 2024 is all about enhancing the EV charging experience with real-time user feedback at the point of sale. Our approach includes simple, on-site feedback methods like Thumbs up/Thumbs down and a free comment field (“&Charge Check-In feature”), complemented by feedback sourced from various platforms in the markets. Every piece of feedback is reviewed and classified by our AI, providing clear action recommendations and incidents directly to CPOs for swift improvements in customer experience.

Additionally, our ‘customer insights’ module offers robust market research, delving into user behavior and requirements. This data-driven strategy ensures our network not only meets but anticipates the evolving needs of EV drivers.

&Charge – The Ultimate E-Mobility Partner

As we move forward into 2024, it’s an exciting time for the e-mobility ecosystem. The steps we take now will help to shape the future of sustainable transport. &Charge, with our innovative approaches and community-driven insights, stands as a leading e-mobility partner for both EV drivers and CPOs, poised to make a significant impact on the sector.

Let’s embrace these opportunities and continue to grow together. Wishing everyone a Happy New Year and happy charging from all of us at &Charge!