Roaming agreements are commercial and operational contracts that define how EV charging networks work together so drivers can charge across multiple providers using a single account, app, or RFID charging card. These agreements typically sit between a charge point operator (CPO) and an e-mobility service provider (eMSP), or between two networks that exchange roaming access via a roaming hub.
Roaming agreements cover not only pricing, but also technical responsibilities, settlement rules, data quality, and customer support workflows—so roaming is reliable and financially predictable.
Why Roaming Agreements Matter
Roaming agreements are essential for scaling public charging:
– Expand driver access without requiring multiple registrations
– Increase charger utilization and improve revenue per charger
– Reduce commercial uncertainty by defining settlement and dispute rules
– Clarify responsibilities for uptime, data exchange, and customer support
– Protect against revenue leakage caused by missing CDRs or rejected transactions
For cross-border charging and fleets, strong roaming agreements can be a competitive advantage.
What Roaming Agreements Typically Include
A complete roaming agreement usually defines:
– Parties and roles: CPO, eMSP, hub (if applicable)
– Geographic scope and which chargers/EVSE IDs are included
– Allowed authentication methods (app, QR, RFID authentication)
– Tariff models and how prices are communicated to users
– Wholesale vs retail pricing rules (markups, fees, session charges)
– Currency handling and tax/VAT treatment (where relevant)
– Charge detail record (CDR) requirements and data fields
– Settlement process: invoicing, payment terms, and settlement cycles
– Dispute management: timelines, evidence, and correction processes
– SLAs and performance requirements (uptime, authorization success, data timeliness)
– Liability, security, and data protection obligations
Commercial Models Used in Roaming Agreements
Roaming agreements often use one of these approaches:
– CPO tariff pass-through + eMSP markup
– eMSP charges end users the CPO tariff plus a service fee
– Wholesale price to eMSP
– CPO charges the eMSP a negotiated wholesale rate
– eMSP sets the retail price
– Hybrid models
– Separate fees for sessions, kWh, minimum charge, or premium locations
The agreement must define what “revenue” means (gross vs net) and which fees are deductible in revenue reporting.
Technical and Data Requirements (Operational Backbone)
Most roaming agreements rely on OCPI to exchange:
– Locations and EVSE IDs
– Token authorization (including RFID tokens)
– Sessions and CDRs
– Tariffs and price components
Key operational requirements commonly include:
– CDR delivery time limits (e.g., within X hours/days)
– Data accuracy thresholds (kWh precision, timestamps, stop reasons)
– Unique identifier rules (session IDs, CDR IDs, EVSE IDs)
– Handling of offline sessions and late data synchronization
– Security requirements for API access and credential rotation
Common Failure Points and How Agreements Address Them
– CDR rejection due to missing fields or mapping errors → define validation rules and correction windows
– Authorization failures for roaming tokens → define token format support and fallback logic
– Tariff mismatch between systems → define tariff publication process and audit rights
– Settlement disputes about kWh, price, or fees → define reconciliation method and evidence requirements
– Support confusion (driver contacts wrong party) → define customer support responsibilities and escalation paths
KPIs Commonly Tracked Under Roaming Agreements
– Authorization success rate (token acceptance)
– Session success rate and failed start reasons
– CDR acceptance rate and correction cycle time
– Settlement cycle time and dispute rate
– Revenue variance and leakage flags (sessions delivered vs billed/settled)
– Uptime and availability at roaming-enabled sites
Related Glossary Terms
Roaming
OCPI
OCPP
Charge detail records (CDRs)
RFID authentication
RFID charging cards
Interoperability networks
Revenue reporting
Revenue leakage detection
Public charging networks