Why bundling EV charging hardware and software is a smart strategy

As EV adoption accelerates across North America, EV charging network operators face a critical decision: how to deploy charging infrastructure that is reliable, scalable, and future-proof—without being locked into a single vendor.

For property owners, fleets, municipalities, and distributors, the most effective approach is choosing EV charging hardware bundled with an open, hardware-agnostic Charging Station Management System (CSMS).

When hardware and software are designed to work together, networks benefit from faster deployments, consistent operations, and long-term performance visibility across all charger brands.

What does bundling EV charging hardware and software mean?

Bundling pairs certified EV chargers with a single, enterprise-grade CSMS that supports multiple manufacturers, charger models, and use cases.

Instead of sourcing hardware and software separately—and troubleshooting compatibility issues later—operators receive a pre-integrated solution that is tested, configured, and ready to scale.

Key benefits of bundling EV charging hardware and software

🔌 Hardware flexibility without vendor lock-in

What it provides:
The ability to deploy multiple Level 2 and DC fast charger brands on one platform.

Why it matters:
Vendor lock-in limits growth and increases risk. Bundling preserves hardware choice while keeping operations centralized on one CSMS, even as new sites or charger models are added.

📱 Consistent driver and operator experience

What it provides:
One app, one payment system, one access method, and one support workflow—across all chargers.

Why it matters:
Drivers expect charging to work the same way everywhere. A consistent software layer reduces friction, lowers support costs, and builds trust in the network.

🚀 Faster EV charger deployment

What it provides:
Pre-configured, pre-certified chargers that connect to the CSMS immediately.

Why it matters:
Bundled solutions reduce commissioning time, eliminate last-minute integration issues, and get sites live faster—especially at scale.

📊 Performance and reliability insights across charger brands

What it enables:
Side-by-side performance analysis across locations and hardware models.

Why it matters:
With consistent software, operators can identify:

• Which EV chargers have the lowest downtime
• Which sites deliver the most energy per session
• Which hardware requires more maintenance
• When upgrades or replacements are justified

Who benefits most from bundled EV charging solutions?

🏢 Multifamily and commercial properties

• Support multiple charger brands across buildings
• Keep residents and guests on one app and billing system
• Monitor utilization and revenue centrally
• Avoid long-term vendor lock-in

🚚 Fleets and industrial sites

• Track uptime, usage, and maintenance across all chargers
• Manage RFID access and detailed energy reporting
• Optimize load management and power distribution
• Expand sites without replacing the CSMS

🏛 Municipalities and public charging networks

• Operate one platform for public, fleet, and curbside charging
• Deploy multiple charger models with consistent public access
• Support NEVI, LCFS, CTEP, and utility reporting
• Simplify budgeting and long-term operations

🔧 EV charger distributors and resellers

• Offer complete, ready-to-deploy charging solutions
• Increase margins with software licensing
• Reduce post-install service calls using remote diagnostics
• Win more RFPs with bundled hardware and software

Hardware-agnostic doesn’t mean uncurated

True hardware-agnostic EV charging doesn’t mean supporting every charger—it means supporting the right chargers.

Bundling allows CSMS providers to:

• Certify and pre-test compatible EV chargers
• Monitor OCPP performance and connectivity
• Track firmware issues across manufacturers
• Recommend best-performing hardware using real-world data

Final thought

The EV charging market is evolving faster than any single manufacturer can keep up with.

Networks that succeed will combine hardware choice with software consistency—delivering reliability today while staying flexible for tomorrow.

Bundling EV charging hardware and software isn’t just operationally efficient.
It’s a strategic foundation for scalable, data-driven, and dependable EV charging networks.