Roaming fees are the charges and deductions associated with enabling EV drivers to charge across multiple networks through roaming. These fees can appear in two places:
– Fees paid between companies (e.g., CPO ↔ eMSP or via a roaming hub) as part of settlement
– Fees charged to the end user by an eMSP as a service markup for roaming access
Roaming fees are a key factor in the difference between gross revenue (what the driver pays) and net revenue (what the operator actually keeps).
Why Roaming Fees Matter
Roaming fees affect both customer experience and profitability:
– They influence the final price a driver sees and can impact utilization at a site
– They reduce margins for CPOs if settlement terms are unfavorable
– They can create billing disputes if pricing is not clearly communicated
– They are a common driver of revenue leakage when CDRs are rejected or settlement is delayed
– They affect network strategy: direct users vs roaming users can have very different profitability
Common Types of Roaming Fees
Roaming fees are structured in different ways depending on the agreement and the hub model:
– Per-kWh fee
– A fee added per kWh delivered (common when energy-based pricing is used)
– Per-session fee
– A fixed fee per charging session (can penalize short top-ups)
– Time-based fee
– Fee per minute (less common, depends on local billing rules)
– Percentage-based fee
– A percentage of the charging cost (e.g., % of total transaction)
– Hub or platform access fees
– Monthly or annual fees for access to a roaming hub or interoperability platform
– Payment processing pass-through
– Some agreements pass certain payment or transaction costs through to another party
How Roaming Fees Show Up in Settlement and Billing
Roaming introduces a chain:
– The CPO delivers the session and generates a CDR
– The eMSP bills the end user (often adding a markup)
– The eMSP pays the CPO based on the agreed wholesale terms
– Roaming fees may be deducted during settlement or added on top at retail pricing
This means:
– A site can have high “revenue” but lower profitability if roaming fees and energy costs are high
– Net revenue analysis is essential to understand true ROI for roaming-heavy locations
Managing Roaming Fees in Operations
Operators typically manage roaming fees by:
– Segmenting analytics: direct vs roaming performance and margin
– Reviewing partner-level settlement terms and renegotiating when needed
– Monitoring CDR acceptance and settlement delays to prevent leakage
– Ensuring tariff transparency to reduce complaints and refunds
– Using policies (idle fees, time limits) to protect throughput and profitability at busy sites
Common Problems and Risks
– Drivers surprised by higher roaming prices compared to direct tariffs
– CDR mismatches causing rejected settlement and unpaid sessions
– Currency and VAT handling issues across borders
– Fee stacking (hub fee + eMSP fee + payment fee) reducing competitiveness
– Poor reporting definitions (gross vs net) leading to incorrect performance conclusions
Related Glossary Terms
Roaming
Roaming agreements
Roaming APIs
OCPI
Charge detail records (CDRs)
Revenue reporting
Revenue analytics
Revenue leakage detection
Interoperability billing
Payment gateway integration