STRATA for Consumer Charging Networks

Companies or government agencies building new charging infrastructure for consumers can utilize STRATA as the master monitoring and management platform for networks of any size and complexity. In addition to traditional features found in first generation CMS such as communicating with chargers, authorizing charging sessions and others, STRATA brings an entirely new level of capabilities including:

When problems with chargers are detected via STRATA, IBM’s class-leading Maximo maintenance and asset management system deals with trouble tickets, arranging repairs and providing ongoing statistical analysis of individual charging unit performance. All critical charging network components can be monitored, including onsite battery storage, power switchgear, physical security elements and others. 

STRATA provides a unified payments system for EV charging via Mastercard’s Automotive Payments Gateway. The APG brings together major credit card issuers including Visa, Amex and Discover, plus over 180 supporting banks into one set of “payment rails” specific to the unique requirements of the automotive sector. STRATA with APG allows each OEM to utilize their respective mobile apps with the charging network, as well as vehicle-initiated transactions – APG operates as a real time clearing house amongst other core financial functions. 

Through an extensive library of APIs and intelligent “connectors” supported by STRATA, direct integration with loyalty program systems can be readily facilitated. Data handling policies can be easily configured and applied to support customers’ accumulating points through charging network usage, expending points to pay for charging, participating in special offers and promotions plus other ‘sticky’ benefits. All usage is tracked and recorded in an immutable ledger that can be audited by system administrators or financial staff as well as by loyalty program managers. 

STRATA is architected to support the coming wave of Software-Defined Vehicles, communicating digitally via OEM or fleet cloud systems. The power of integrating vehicles with the charging network and the resulting benefits to drivers, fleet operators, OEMs, property owners and cities has only just begun to be realized. 

Vehicle Synchronization

Virtually all EV models in all classes have built-in cellular transceivers, which automakers use to  communicate with vehicles for applications such as OTA software updates. It is these cloud-based systems that make possible an entirely new level of charging operations and driver experiences. Through STRATA, where OEM or fleet telematics are accessible, the system will allow the vehicles themselves to reserve specific chargers that are known to be fully operational prior to arriving at charging stations, ensure that a valid payment method is present, initiate and conclude sessions without the driver having to use a mobile app.

This Tesla-style realtime matching of vehicles with working and available charging units can be achieved based on a variety of data feeds and processing through AI. The result is drivers being routed to chargers that are known to be operational and available, to include calculating when another vehicle is going to be finished and freeing that charger up. The reservation information can be presented via the in-vehicle infotainment system, mobile app or both.