Interoperability and accessibility are key to widespread adoption. By lowering barriers for each other's Plug & Charge platforms, this partnership is attempting to scale the Plug & Charge ecosystem faster, accelerating market adoption thereby benefitting all stakeholders, including eMobility Software Providers (EMPs), Charge Point Operators (CPOs), EV Manufacturers, and EV drivers.
The strategic partnership enables Gireve, Hubject and Irdeto to access each other's Plug & Charge networks through existing API integrations (an API is an Application Programming Interface – a mechanism by which different software applications communicate and exchange data with each other), connecting to the 4 million Plug & Charge capable EVs globally. The partnership spans global markets, creating a greatly improved level of charging accessibility for EV drivers worldwide, with particular strength across European and North American charging networks.
The collaboration combines the strength of three established leaders in the industry to deliver a unified solution for Plug & Charge including the standard ISO 15118. By working together, the partners will address technical, operational, and security challenges, while also overcoming the fear of technical vendor lock-in. Every CPO, EMP and OEM will now be able to choose their preferred Plug & Charge Ecosystem Operator to work with, and thanks to this interoperability agreement, all other Plug & Charge ecosystems will be accessible as well.
If each operator were to build their own closed Plug & Charge system, the market would be at risk of fragmentation and poor user experience. This partnership therefore represents a pivotal shift in industry dynamics, where leading companies traditionally operating in parallel markets are choosing collaboration to advance the broader eMobility ecosystem. The partnership will demonstrate that achieving mass EV adoption requires collective action, shared innovation, and a commitment to customer experience that transcends individual company boundaries.
The agreement marks an important interim step in a broader journey of collaboration, in which current interoperability needs are met with a practical solution while keeping in mind the long-term vision of a standardised, future-proof Plug & Charge ecosystem.
All three partners are actively engaged in the OPNC (Open Plug & Charge Network Communication) protocol and its associated working groups and are committed to driving forward its development. This collaboration sets the stage for continued progress - supporting current market demands while preparing the ground for the next phase of open, secure, and scalable Plug & Charge interoperability.
“Hubject's DNA since the beginning of 2012 has consisted of collaboration that puts customer experience first” said Christian Hahn, CEO, Hubject. “Today, as the world’s leading Plug & Charge provider with over 2,750 partners across 70+ countries and more than 1million charge points integrated into our platform, we continue to shape the future of eMobility. This partnership with Gireve and Irdeto demonstrates how we can work together to expand access to Plug & Charge while upholding the highest standards of security and interoperability. Together, we're building the foundation for a charging ecosystem that works seamlessly for everyone.”
Evolving in several phases, the partnership will first utilise existing API infrastructures to seamlessly integrate services, ensuring rapid deployment without requiring extensive new technical development. This approach allows for the collaboration to deliver immediate value to customers while maintaining the flexibility to evolve as the eMobility landscape continues advancing.
Once this first step is implemented, in the months following EVS38, the companies will further expand the collaboration model both marketwise and technically. They will align additional requirements based on market feedback and work towards a scheme that will ensure interoperability, sustainability and scalability of the solution.
The first step of the partnership is focused on delivering immediate availability of the services, with participating customers able to access expanded Plug & Charge networks starting today (16th June). Companies can now begin utilising enhanced interoperability through existing API connections without waiting for additional technical development or integration phases.
The collaboration addresses critical market needs that extend beyond technical specifications:
Enhanced Customer Experience: EV drivers immediately gain access to additional Plug & Charge enabled stations across multiple regions, eliminating the need for numerous apps or payment methods while benefiting from enhanced security protocols and multi-contract charging capabilities that allow seamless access across different service providers.
Operational Efficiency: Charge point operators and eMobility service providers benefit from expanded network reach without requiring individual integration efforts with multiple platforms.
Market Acceleration: By removing remaining barriers to Plug & Charge adoption, the partnership directly contributes to the charging infrastructure confidence necessary for mainstream EV adoption.
The Gireve-Hubject-Irdeto Partnership will demonstrate how strategic collaboration can accelerate industry-wide progress more effectively than isolated development efforts. This approach creates a model for future partnerships that prioritise customer experience and market development over traditional market boundaries.
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