Vancouver-based Hypercharge Networks Corp. has launched Eevion, a cloud-based software solution which integrates electrical charging functionality into its clients' platforms, networks or systems.

Eevion is compatible with parking apps, fleet management, loyalty programs, building management and other interfaces.

“We built Eevion as an API (application programming interface) toolset so that third-party software developers, whether they’re mobile app makers or other cloud services, could interact with charging networks without having to speak OCPP (Open Charge Point Protocol), the networking standard . . . charge stations use to communicate with back-end cloud services,” Rob Boyko, Hypercharge’s head of product and operations, told Sustainable Biz Canada.

Hypercharge launched Eevion with its preferred partners, Kitchener, Ont.-based parking technology company ParkCo and Precise ParkLink, a full-service parking and mobility solutions provider based in Toronto.

By the end of 2023, users of the ParkCo GO and Parkedin apps on iOS and Android will have the ability to pay for their parking and charging sessions in one transaction, given the installation of Hypercharge stations at select locations.

Hypercharge (HC-NE) was founded in June 2021. It provides a turnkey charging solution to the multiunit residential, fleet and public sectors with hardware, software and services.

The company doesn’t manufacture its own products, but brings them in from the U.S., Asia and Europe depending on the needs of the charger. In 2022, Hypercharge had almost 1,500 ports in sales orders and 500 ports delivered.

Hypercharge and Eevion

To the company’s knowledge, this launch marks the first full commercial integration of a dedicated platform.

Hypercharge’s development of Eevion began in May 2022 when it acquired Vancouver-based electric vehicle software development company CoSource, which had been founded in 2012. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

“At that point, it was a proof of concept, and then we spent the last year commercializing it,” Boyko said.

He explained ParkCo and ParkLink joined as partners because they were looking for the type of solution Eevion was developing – eliminating the need to download a separate app for the charging network operator.

The intent is that a regular user of any integrated app would be unaware they’re even using the Eevion platform.

“I think that the average driver is going to see their EV charging experience improved through the use of Eevion by being able to charge or start charging sessions and manage charging sessions inside their favourite mobile apps,” Boyko said.

In August, Hypercharge announced an order of 58 chargers by ParkCo for the Cambridge, Ont. Gaslight Condominiums development. At the time, it was the two companies’ fourth collaboration.

Future Eevion applications

Boyko discussed other opportunities Hypercharge may pursue in the future regarding Eevion integration.

“I think any retailer with a loyalty app is going to want to explore integrating charging solutions into their parking experience. Other kinds of central partners would be rental car companies,” he said.

“You rent a car from Avis, and you're driving around in whatever city you rented it and you need a simple integrated charging experience. Being able to do that inside the Avis app would make the most sense.”

While he declined to get into specifics, he also mentioned integrating with fleet and building management apps.

There are also planned improvements to the platform in its development pipeline.

“We're obviously iterating Eevion all the time by building what's called a RESTful API. It's really, really easy for us to add additional functionality, and make that even simpler for third-party software developers to integrate into their user interfaces,” Boyko said.

“So you can expect the scope of functionality to be ever increasing, just like all software, but also the ease of development or the ease of integration for third-party software developers will continue to become more and more efficient on a monthly basis.”