As recently as 2020, there were around 10 EV charging hardware manufacturers that were prominent in the US. Since then, a handful of notable players have either left the market, merged, or wound down their business, while 100+ new companies worldwide are now targeting US EV customers. Add to that varied capabilities like V2G, Inductive charging, pantographs, simultaneous dispensers, take-home fleets, etc, and you end up with a tremendously complex and changing EV hardware landscape. In the ever-evolving landscape of EV fleet management, the best hardware decision is to plan for uncertainty and change.
We see the massive opportunity that exists for software like ours to help our clients feel confident in their charger decisions and weather the sometimes tumultuous storms of an emerging technology. Hardware-software interoperability is one of the greatest pain points facing the EV industry today. This is particularly true for commercial EVs where fleet operators want the flexibility to mix and match providers for various business needs, while not sacrificing ease of use and performance. While OCPP compliance is a significant step forward, it’s not a cure-all. When winter temperatures drop to -20 degrees and chargers become unresponsive, operators require enhanced integration between partners and a higher level of coordination, especially with drivers arriving in just a few hours. The last thing we want is a driver stepping out into the freezing cold and realizing their vehicle is not ready to go
For this reason, we’ve developed the Works with Synop program to support fleet operators on their road to EV adoption, regardless of which hardware or telematics software they use.
What is Works with Synop?
The Works with Synop Program is our answer to the problem of interoperability. We work deeply with integrated partners in order to break down the silos between fleet operators, hardware, and software. We collaborate with EVSEs and telematics providers to go beyond the surface level, set new standards of partnership by establishing well-defined support channels along with a coordinated and tested approach on any firmware updates, and delivering on a seamless depot experience.
In short, The Works With Synop Program ensures your hardware and software work together seamlessly to optimize your uptime and keep operations running smoothly as you scale. Synop currently integrates with over 26 EVSEs and more than 90 hardware models. The Works With Synop Program consists of partners in that list that want to work closer together, including BorgWarner, Zerova, Power Electronics, and Samsung. With the combination of our large integrated list and certified Works With Synop partners, choosing the right hardware provider no longer has to be a stressful process.
With each of these partners, we conduct thorough integration testing at our Charge Lab in Brooklyn NY or remotely allowing us to go further than just the basic certifications and ensuring compatibility with real stations. Beyond this initial testing, we also have a direct line with charger OEMs and telematics to provide additional support, and we collaborate with vendors ahead of time on firmware updates to minimize any necessary downtime. Our SIM cards can even be pre-installed prior to shipment, making the time to deployment as fast as possible.
Overall, this adds up to a smooth onboarding experience for those just getting started while also ensuring fleets can scale safely, knowing they’ve got the added security of transparency and support among trusted partners.
Adopting a new technology that requires significant investment in infrastructure is no small decision, and no one wants to be left in the cold due to forces they can’t control. The beauty of being a software provider in the beginning stages of this transition is that we have the tools to help solve the inevitable bumps in the road, making this journey easier and more accessible to those in their electrification journeys.
Want to learn more about Works with Synop and how we can help you select the right providers for your EVs? Contact us and we’d be happy to support you.
