Picture this: I’m driving my EV with just 20 miles of range left, and there are three charging stations within that distance. I decide to stop at the second one, assuming it’s the best choice. But when I get there, it’s fully occupied.

Now I have two choices – wait 30-40 minutes for a charger to free up or try another station. But what if the nearest alternative requires a 2-mile detour? What if it’s also occupied?

Suddenly, the risk of being stranded becomes real.

As a product team working on EV charging solutions, we tackle these real-world scenarios daily. I obsess over edge cases like these to ensure users don’t find themselves in situations where their best option is just a gamble. Small, logical decisions in our platform can help prevent such headaches.

When discussing charging infrastructure, two key elements come to mind—OCPP (Open Charge Point Protocol) and OCPI (Open Charge Point Interface). These standards ensure that different charging networks communicate effectively, preventing fragmentation in the ecosystem.

We work to ensure interoperability so that no matter which network an EV driver relies on, they can get real-time data on charger availability and make informed decisions.

Now, you might be thinking—why not just allow drivers to schedule a charging session in advance? Good idea, but not without complications.

Would a different charging network allow a user to block a station without prepayment?

What happens if the driver finds another charger and doesn’t show up? Do they get a refund?

These questions make product management in the EV space both fascinating and challenging. Every solution I implement needs to balance user convenience, network efficiency, and business viability.

At the end of the day, solving just one small problem each day can have a big impact on EV adoption.

Whether it’s optimizing real-time charger availability data, reducing wait times, or improving route planning, my goal remains the same – ensuring that EV drivers never have to experience range anxiety.

Welcome to the world of product management in EV charging, where every decision is a mix of logic, strategy, and user empathy!