Insights

I’m a little late, but I've been heads-down delivering on key search projects and working my way through lots of follow-ups from Intercharge Network Conference in Berlin the week before last.

In what I think was my 4th time attending, the message for me was loud and clear, the EV industry's focus is shifting (for the better).

I came away with the word maturity etched in my mind. This links to how the market is moving forward with a real focus on utilisation, optimisation and shaping the customer journey in such a way that makes driving electric the obvious choice for individuals and businesses. Long gone are the days of the "land grab", the new focus is on building charging infrastructure that optimises energy use and hones in on the customer experience in order to drive customer loyalty and confidence. 

The industry is moving beyond technical deployment to make charging seamless, reliable, and user-friendly. Think Plug&Charge and simplified roaming. But what really stood out was AI. It was on EVERYONE's lips and it was fascinating for me to see the real use cases of AI and its positive impact on uptime and charger success which is helping to improve utilisation and help drive revenues. Looking forward to seeing how AI can support CPO's to optimise their networks with the likes of dynamic pricing becoming more commonplace in certain markets.

Trucks and heavy-duty transportation was also a very hot topic. The three days emphasised how the electrification of heavy-duty vehicles is no longer an ambition, but the next challenge we need to tackle. There were lots of MCS units on display and many panel discussions dived into the complexities of truck electrification - namely the space and power demands. We haven't scratched the surface yet, but it was superb to see the work going on around Europe.

My final takeaway was collaboration over competition. I sensed this more than ever this year. Over a few beers, it was great to dive in and unravel the complex layers of the sector and better understand the strategic partnerships and integrations between CPOs, eMSP’s and other solutions providers.

And finally, let's not forget, as much as this is a technology shift, it’s a people and talent challenge too. Without people, the strive for a cleaner future simply isn't possible. That's where we at Hyperion Search come in.

All in all, a fantastic event to meet so many industry friends, both old and new, and to explore exciting new partnership opportunities. Looking forward to the next one already. 

Stephen Robinson