How Installers Can Future‑Proof EV Charging Projects

Pilot to Scale: How Installers Can Future‑Proof EV Charging Projects

As EV adoption accelerates, installers are no longer just wiring a few chargers; they are building platforms that must scale over the next 5–10 years. The biggest risk is designing a successful pilot that cannot grow with demand, forcing costly rip‑and‑replace upgrades. By focusing on modular hardware, firmware upgradability, and open standards like OCPP, ISO 15118, and recognized certifications such as CE, TUV, and UL, installers can future‑proof projects and protect both their clients and their own reputation.

Why scaling matters more than ever

Early EV charging projects often start small: a handful of AC chargers in a car park or a few DC units at a depot. Within a couple of years, utilization increases, fleets electrify further, and users expect higher power, more smart features, and tighter integration with energy and building systems.

For installers, this creates several challenges:

• Existing electrical infrastructure may not support dozens of extra chargers without redesign.

• Closed, proprietary systems limit the ability to switch software providers or add new services.

• Hardware that cannot be upgraded (firmware or modules) becomes obsolete long before the end of its physical life.

Designing with scalability in mind—from the first pilot—lets installers expand capacity, add new standards, and change software platforms without redoing civil works or replacing entire charger fleets.

Modular hardware: design for growth, not replacement

Modularity is the foundation of scalable EV charging infrastructure. Instead of deploying fixed‑capacity, single‑box units that must be replaced when demand grows, installers should prioritize modular architectures that can be expanded onsite.

Key modular concepts for installers:

• Modular DC power
  Use DC fast charging systems built around power modules (e.g., 30–60 kW blocks) that can be added or replaced without changing the whole cabinet. This allows sites to start with lower power (e.g., 60–120 kW) and scale to higher ratings (e.g., 180–300 kW or more) as usage grows.

• Satellites and dispensers
  In larger locations, consider centralized power cabinets feeding multiple satellite posts. This reduces the need for separate foundations and heavy cabling runs every time capacity is upgraded.

• Flexible AC charger configurations
  For AC Chargers, look for product lines that share the same enclosure and wiring but support different power levels (e.g., 7 kW, 11 kW, 22 kW) via internal configuration. That lets clients increase power per socket without changing all hardware in the field.

• Serviceability and spares
  Modular designs make maintenance easier: replacing a failed module or control board is faster and cheaper than swapping a whole charger. For installers who offer service contracts, this improves uptime and reduces truck rolls.

When specifying hardware, installers should explicitly ask manufacturers for modular DC platforms, shared AC form factors, and clear documentation on how capacity can be increased after the initial pilot.

Firmware upgradability: avoiding “frozen” chargers

Modern EV chargers are networked computing devices as much as they are power electronics. Standards evolve, new security requirements appear, and customers demand new features. If firmware cannot be upgraded, chargers risk becoming non‑compliant or incompatible with new backends and vehicles.

Critical firmware considerations:

• Secure remote updates
  Choose chargers that support over‑the‑air (OTA) firmware updates with proper security (encrypted channels, signed firmware). This allows bugs to be fixed, new functions to be added, and cyber vulnerabilities to be patched without onsite visits.

• Configurable parameters
  Installers benefit from hardware where key parameters can be adjusted via software—such as maximum current, charging profiles, user authentication modes, and communication settings—so the same physical unit fits multiple use cases.

• Feature evolution
  As protocols like OCPP or ISO 15118 evolve, firmware releases should be able to add or refine support rather than forcing a hardware refresh. When evaluating suppliers, ask about their firmware roadmap, typical release cadence, and how long they support each product generation.

• Rollback and resilience
  Professional‑grade systems provide safe rollback options in case an update fails. This is essential for minimizing downtime on critical sites like fleets or public fast‑charging hubs.

Installers can protect themselves by including firmware upgradability and update processes in their project specifications and service agreements, making it clear to clients that the system is designed to evolve.

Open protocols: OCPP as the backbone

The Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) has become the de‑facto standard for communication between chargers and backend management systems. For installers, deploying OCPP‑compliant chargers is one of the most effective ways to future‑proof a project.

Why OCPP matters:

• Backend flexibility
  With OCPP, site owners are not locked into a single software provider. If pricing, features, or support become unsatisfactory, they can migrate to another OCPP‑compatible platform without replacing all hardware.

• Roaming and interoperability
  Network operators often require OCPP to integrate chargers into roaming networks or multi‑country platforms. Installers who specify OCPP‑compatible hardware ensure their clients can participate in future roaming and billing schemes.

• Advanced features
  Newer versions (such as OCPP 2.0.1) support richer data models, better security, and advanced smart‑charging functions. Even if a project launches with OCPP 1.6, choosing chargers with a clear upgrade path to later versions keeps options open.

Implementation tips for installers:

• Confirm that both AC and DC chargers in the design support OCPP out of the box.

• Verify how the manufacturer has implemented OCPP (tested against common backends, profile coverage, security options).

• Plan network connectivity (Ethernet, 4G/5G, Wi‑Fi) and ensure IT teams understand ports, certificates, and VPN requirements.

By standardizing on OCPP‑capable hardware, installers create sites that are attractive to operators, CPOs, and CaaS (Charging‑as‑a‑Service) providers in the future.

ISO 15118 and the rise of plug & charge and V2G

ISO 15118 defines communication between EVs and charging infrastructure, enabling advanced capabilities such as Plug & Charge (automatic identification and billing) and bidirectional services like vehicle‑to‑grid (V2G) and vehicle‑to‑building (V2B).

Why ISO 15118 is important to future‑proofing:

• Plug & Charge
  As more vehicles support secure Plug & Charge, drivers will expect seamless charging without RFID cards or apps. Chargers that can speak ISO 15118 are best positioned to deliver this experience once backends and contracts are in place.

• Bidirectional energy services
  For fleets, depots, and commercial buildings, V2G and V2B unlock new revenue and energy‑management options—peak shaving, backup power, and participation in flexibility markets. ISO 15118 is a key building block for these use cases.

• Security and scalability
  The standard includes mechanisms for secure communication and contract handling, helping installations meet stricter cybersecurity and data requirements over time.

Practical steps for installers:

• For sites likely to serve fleets, corporate parking, or future V2G projects, specify ISO 15118‑ready chargers even if the initial deployment will use more basic features.

• Discuss with OEMs and software partners how ISO 15118 will be enabled (through firmware, certificates, and backend support) and what is needed to activate Plug & Charge or V2G later.

Selecting ISO 15118‑capable equipment at the pilot stage avoids major hardware replacements when clients later decide to adopt these advanced features.

Certifications: CE, TUV, UL as the baseline for trust

Compliance with recognized safety and quality standards is non‑negotiable for professional EV charging projects, especially when scaling beyond a pilot. Installers should insist on chargers that are properly tested and certified for their target markets.

Core certifications to look for:

• CE (Europe): Demonstrates conformity with EU directives for safety, EMC, and other essential requirements.

• TUV and similar marks: Third‑party certification bodies provide additional assurance and are often requested in public tenders and large commercial projects.

• UL or equivalent NRTL marks (North America): Required by many authorities having jurisdiction and insurance providers for safety compliance.

What installers should verify:

• Certificates explicitly list the exact model numbers and configurations being installed.

• Certification covers the relevant voltage, power range, and environment (indoor/outdoor, temperature, ingress protection).

• Test reports and documentation are available for inspection by local authorities or clients when requested.

Using CE‑, TUV‑, and UL‑certified hardware not only improves safety and reliability but also makes future expansions and repeat projects smoother, since authorities and clients recognize trusted marks.

Putting it all together: a blueprint from pilot to scale

To future‑proof EV charging projects from day one, installers can follow a simple blueprint:

• Start pilots with modular AC and DC hardware that can scale in power and number of outlets without redesigning everything.

• Ensure all chargers support firmware updates, secure remote management, and configurable parameters.

• Standardize on OCPP‑compatible chargers, with a preference for hardware that has a clear path to newer protocol versions.

• Where appropriate, choose ISO 15118‑capable units to prepare for Plug & Charge and V2G use cases.

• Only deploy chargers with the appropriate certifications (CE, TUV, UL or equivalents) for the project’s jurisdiction.

• Document update, expansion, and maintenance procedures in the project handover so clients understand how the system can grow.

By making these decisions early—at the pilot phase—installers can deliver projects that expand smoothly, accommodate new vehicles and business models, and remain compliant and secure for years. This not only protects the end customer’s investment but also positions the installer as a strategic partner, rather than a commodity contractor.