Electric mobility is no longer a promise of the future, but a growing reality. According to recent data from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), registrations of electric vehicles increased by 34% this January compared to the same month last year. This progress is encouraging, but it also presents new challenges for infrastructure operators: How can the profitability of charging facilities be ensured? How can the user experience be improved without compromising profit margins?
Generate returns when the sun is shining
From the Operator’s Perspective: Turning Solar Surplus into Business Opportunity One of the greatest challenges for charging infrastructure operators is the low occupancy during hours of high renewable energy production but low charging demand. Picture a summer midday in any sunny region of Spain. Photovoltaic panels are producing large amounts of clean, low-cost energy, which is stored in battery systems. However, at that moment, very few vehicles are connected. That energy remains underutilized. So, how can this surplus be turned into a business opportunity? The answer lies in Smart Pricing.
Smart Pricing: Smart Model, Streamlined Operation
Smart Pricing is an advanced software solution that enables operators to dynamically adjust charging rates based on multiple variables: energy source (grid, solar, or battery), forecasted photovoltaic generation (thanks to weather modeling), and occupancy estimates based on historical usage data.
With this information, the system can offer real-time pricing to drivers, accessible via an app or digital platform. This not only encourages charging during strategic moments but also optimizes station utilization and improves return on investment.
Clear Operational Advantages
For operating companies, Smart Pricing represents an evolving revenue model with multiple benefits:
- Increased profitability, by generating usage during time slots that have traditionally been underutilized.
- Balanced demand, thanks to reduced prices that encourage consumption during off-peak hours.
- Margin control, since knowing the real-time energy cost allows the tariff to be adjusted without compromising economic viability.
In addition, this model positively influences user behavior. Studies show that electric vehicle drivers, just like those with combustion engines, look for the best available rate. With one important difference: while fuel quality may vary, all electrons are the same. The decision is primarily based on price.
A Competitive Advantage to Lead the Change
From an operational perspective, Smart Pricing is much more than a flexible tariff. It is a strategic management tool that aligns economic efficiency, energy sustainability, and user experience. It enables higher occupancy during time slots that are profitable for photovoltaic generation, strengthens the operator’s position as a leader in digital innovation, and actively contributes to the smart deployment of charging infrastructure.
In summary, Smart Pricing allows operators not only to adapt to the growth of electric mobility, but to lead it.
