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The UK-based Osprey Charging Network prides itself on its open and accessible network, and emphasizes roaming and interoperability features. The company has developed a proprietary software platform called Volo, which it uses to operate its network of public charge points, and to integrate directly with roaming partners and fleets.
“We chose to develop Volo ourselves so that we were in complete control of our charging network [and] the development pathway, so we can accelerate the delivery of sophisticated roaming integrations and bespoke functionality that enhances the customer experience,” writes CEO Ian Johnston in a recent LinkedIn post. “Controlling the tools we use to monitor and communicate with our charge point network improves visibility and detail of feedback. It means that we’re able to do much more than what is offered by the software-as-a-service charger packages available on the open market.”
Volo is an open protocol-based software platform that’s designed to connect to any charging hardware, and includes a set of tools to remotely diagnose and resolve errors. “Our Volo platform…enables direct OCPI integrations with a range of partners for roaming—for example British Gas’s fleet, Zap-Pay, Octopus Electric Juice and the Hubject platform. We also have a consumer-facing app directly integrated with Volo.”
“Having these direct integrations across different payment options gives EV drivers, both fleet and private, the flexibility to use our network in the way that is most convenient to them,” says Johnston. “It also allows both us and our partners to explore innovative pricing structures. Octopus Energy have recently announced an off-peak pricing trial [that] gives drivers a 20% discount on the Osprey network during the hours of 7 pm and 11 pm. The direct integration between Octopus and Volo makes this possible.”
“British Gas fleet drivers are now using a British Gas electric fuel card to start a charge at any Osprey charger,” Johnston continues. “Many engineers don’t have home chargers, so this innovative solution makes it easy for them to charge up without having to expense fuel. At the end of their charge the session is logged by Volo and Osprey bills British Gas directly for it. The charging session authorization and billing is automated via communication between Volo and British Gas’s internal fleet management system.”
Source: Osprey Charging Network
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