Plugging into Success: Q&A for CPOs

It's an exciting time for the electric vehicle industry—and staying attuned to the changing tides becomes paramount for businesses and stakeholders involved in promoting and facilitating the adoption of electric vehicles.

In our webinar ‘Plugging into Success: Strategies to Boost Frequency in Your EV Charging Stations’,Sebastian Hauch (Solutions Manager EMEA at Uberall) talked to Roderick Van den Berg (CEO of Eco-Movement) and Vaibhav Uppal (Global Product Lead for Locations Management at bp pulse) about the evolving landscape of electric vehicles.

Specifically, they discussed the challenges faced by EV stakeholders, the opportunities that arise from these challenges, and the best practices from bp pulse. Fear not, we will summarize the findings in a report (to be published soon), but here’s questions from the webinar audience and our experts’ answers.

#1 How much of an impact does review management have on visibility and conversions?

Review signals contribute to around 16% of the overall ranking factors, influencing a business's position on search engine results pages (SERPs). And we know from our customers’ experience that positive reviews lead to higher conversion rates as potential customers are more likely to engage with businesses that have favorable feedback.

While reviews themselves already send strong signals, effective review management emerges as the most vital element for businesses seeking a stronger online presence. It is, therefore, crucial to reply to all customer feedback—no matter whether good or bad.

#2 What's the most effective activity to promote / advertise charging locations?

The most effective activity to promote charging locations is to focus on nurturing "organic listings”: ensure an overall prime listing with professional photos, and accurate descriptions. By continuously feeding these listings organically with reviews and relevant information, businesses can create a positive customer experience and increase visibility. No other promotional method is as effective as cultivating a strong online presence through optimized listings and positive reviews.

#3 Is it worth it, and effective, to dedicate resources to customer reviews? Are there any best practices performed by bp pulse?

Customer reviews are incredibly valuable in the EV industry, and dedicating resources to respond to them across various navigation and location platforms is absolutely beneficial. This not only demonstrates attentiveness to customer concerns but also enhances the overall customer experience and reputation of the charging stations.

Depending on the business's size, this task may be managed by either a customer service/support team or directly by the marketing team. At BP Pulse, the team tries to promptly respond to reviews, utilizing templates or auto-reply features for reviews without text to ensure a consistent and proactive approach to customer feedback management.

#4 How do Eco-Movement and Uberall work together?

Uberall and Eco-Movement empower EV companies with complete visibility and control over their digital presence.

Eco-movement provides both static and dynamic EV data, including crucial details like the number of charging devices and real-time station availability.

Uberall, on the other hand, facilitates charge point operators (CPOs) in maintaining comprehensive and precise online business profiles on a central platform—with all relevant marketing tools such as listings and review management—to ensure the accuracy of verified business data.

#5 Does Eco-Movement know how charge points are selected by Google when planning a route?

Eco-Movement does not have control over how Google selects charge points when planning a route; this process is entirely managed by Google using its own algorithm.

However, Eco-Movement maintains regular communication with Google to add new EV charging locations to their maps and rectify any inaccuracies in the information provided. Their collaboration ensures that accurate and up-to-date charging station data is available on Google Maps; while Uberall helps CPOs to actively manage this data.

#6 How can I show the price of my charging stations on various apps?

Eco-Movement provides all relevant pricing information through their API. This data encompasses various variables such as the starting tariff, idle time, and parking fees.

However, the presentation of this information is ultimately handled by the individual apps, allowing them to tailor the display to their user interface and preferences. By supplying comprehensive pricing data, we can ensure, though, that users have access to accurate and detailed information when selecting charging stations via different apps.

#7 The process of location approval by Google for new CPO locations can be difficult when using more platforms than Google My Business alone. What experience do you have at Uberall with this "conflict"?

At Uberall, we recognize the challenges associated with location approval by Google for new CPO locations—particularly when utilizing multiple platforms beyond GBP–which is why we collaborate with Eco-Movement to streamline this process.

By integrating data from both sources—Google Business API via Uberall and EV charging station data via Eco-Movement—we ensure consistency across information feeds. This is achieved through a bi-directional integration between our platforms, enabling uniformity in the data presented to Google. While the final matching of data is handled by Google's internal processes, both Uberall and Eco-Movement are committed to optimizing this collaboration to facilitate smoother location approval.

#8 Will there be a consolidation in the ecosystem of CPOs x eMSPs x roaming platforms; and which stakeholder group in the ecosystem will have the best hand to win?

The possibility of consolidation within the ecosystem of Charge Point Operators (CPOs), e-Mobility Service Providers (eMSPs), and roaming platforms remains uncertain and subjective. Predicting such consolidation hinges on factors like market dynamics, technological advancements, and strategic partnerships.

The stakeholder group best positioned to emerge victorious in this landscape depends on individual perspectives and their ability to navigate these dynamic factors effectively. As such, forecasting the outcome of potential consolidation is challenging and multifaceted, influenced by a variety of interplaying elements.

#9 There seems to be less focus on L2 charging from industry players. Is this a missed opportunity or simply an indication that L2 charging will disappear in favor of L3?

Both types of charging are essential and their relevance depends on the geographical context, such as suburban versus rural environments. Additionally, access to private charging stations, particularly for drivers with driveways, influences charging preferences and needs. Therefore, considering both the infrastructure available and the specific requirements of drivers is crucial in determining the optimal charging solutions for different areas and user demographics.