EVCS Recap: What’s Next for EV Charging Reliability and Standardization? 

At the EV Charging Summit & Expo, Lynkwell’s VP of Software Engineering, Nick Bordeau, took part in a high-impact panel discussion alongside industry leaders, John Smart of the National Charging Experience Consortium, and Kameale C. Terry of ChargerHelp!. The conversation tackled critical challenges in EV charging reliability, barriers to industry growth, and the path forward through standardization and collaboration. Below is a recap of key insights, featuring direct quotes from the speakers. 

Panel Overview and Participants 

The panel, titled “The State of EV Charging Reliability Standardization,” aimed to address critical issues affecting the reliability and standardization of EV charging infrastructure. 

Panelists included: 

Lynkwell’s Leadership in the Reliability Conversation 

At Lynkwell, we’re focused on advancing the EV charging experience for every stakeholder in the ecosystem. This dynamic discussion centered on EV charging reliability underscored the critical nature of this issue for the industry’s sustained growth. Nick Bordeau, our VP of Software Engineering, led an engaging and thought-provoking session on reliability, one of the most pressing challenges facing the EV sector today. 

Bordeau emphasized the critical role that both software and hardware integration play in ensuring a truly dependable and seamless EV charging experience. He kicked off the session by leading the group through a series of thought-provoking questions, guiding participants to assess how reliability issues might slow down EV adoption. This set the tone for a deeper conversation on identifying the key to solving these challenges. 

Recurring Themes: Documentation, Standards, and Communication 

Bordeau opened by highlighting the industry’s pressing need for clear documentation and consistent communication. “A lot of CPOs and software partners are juggling multiple pieces at once,” he said. “Being able to get to the information we need very fast to solve the problem is a huge criticality in our industry right now.”  

Throughout the session, Bordeau encouraged open discussion about the difficulties of achieving consistent, reliable charging, particularly when working with a diverse set of partners. He highlighted the importance of proactive communication—pointing out that, in the world of EV charging, delays are simply not acceptable. 

Bordeau further emphasized adherence to standards like OCPP and OCPI but noted their inconsistent implementation. “Everyone’s got a different dialect,” he explained. “What’s happening over here doesn’t equal over here.” He also called for defined troubleshooting processes, adding, “It’s not just about what went wrong but how do I fix it? What’s the next step?” 

Bordeau also engaged with the audience to share valuable insights into the complex stakeholder landscape, highlighting the need for strategic alignment across the ecosystem: “While the driver is the end user, they aren’t the ones funding the installation of the site. It’s crucial that we support all parties involved—site hosts, operators, and customers— and that we’re thoughtful about how we support everyone to make sure all requirements align.” This perspective underscores Lynkwell’s commitment to addressing the full spectrum of challenges in EV infrastructure, ensuring that all stakeholders benefit from the growth of the sector. 

Barriers to Reliability 

ChargeX’s John Smart addressed systemic barriers to reliability, including fragmented standards and unclear roles among stakeholders. “There’s a lack of adoption or uniform implementation of standards,” he said. “Things aren’t actually interoperable.” He also pointed out inefficiencies in station design: “The ability to pull a large vehicle or truck with a trailer into a charging station designed for pull-through isn’t there yet.” 

Smart highlighted contractual issues that hinder collaboration: “Repair technicians may only be allowed to communicate with the charger manufacturer but not the cloud backend operator or site host. Everyone’s hands are tied.” He compared this lack of coordination to the mature data center industry: “In data centers, if something goes down, there’s prompt notification and rapid problem-solving. Why don’t we have that yet on the charging side?” 

Site Host Education and the EV Charging Ecosystem 

ChargerHelp!’s Kameale C. Terry identified gaps in site host education as another critical issue. “Sometimes site hosts don’t even know where their breaker room is,” she explained. This lack of knowledge delays problem resolution when hardware issues arise. 

Terry also touched on the challenges posed by a fragmented ecosystem of hardware and software providers. “Car OEMs have to figure out if their vehicles work across many different systems due to a lack of standardization,” she explained. She suggested that consolidation might be necessary: “Maybe some companies need to go away.” 

The room buzzed with insights as experts in hardware and software, alongside charge point operators (CPOs), shared their experiences. One key takeaway was the growing consensus that vertical integration—exemplified by Lynkwell’s solutions and its ViaLynk network—plays a crucial role in enhancing the reliability of the broader EV industry. This integrated approach is recognized as a key driver in overcoming many of the sector’s current challenges. 

Proposed Solutions: Charge X Consortium 2.0 and Industry Collaboration 

The panelists proposed several solutions to address these challenges. John Smart discussed plans for evolving the ChargeX Consortium into a more robust entity after its federal funding ends in June 2025. “We’re racing to finish recommended practices like diagnostics and interoperability testing,” he said. Looking ahead, Smart called for private funding to sustain ChargeX 2.0: “Now is the time to incubate ideas so we can implement them this fall.” 

Kameale C. Terry advocated for forming an industry association dedicated to solving reliability issues collaboratively. “Reliability should not be something we compete on,” she asserted. “We need to figure out what areas we’re comfortable sharing information on and changing practices.” 

Taking Action 

The panel concluded with a collective call for action from all stakeholders in the EV charging ecosystem. As Terry put it: “This is an us problem and requires an us solution.” She urged participants to connect with Smart and other leaders to establish an association that prioritizes reliability through shared standards and practices. 

By the end of the session, it was clear: collaboration is essential. Whether you’re an installer, software provider, or hardware manufacturer, all parties must be aligned to ensure that the infrastructure delivers on its promises. At Lynkwell, we are committed to bridging these gaps, offering not just one aspect of the EV charging value chain, but also the crucial support and reliability that will drive the continued growth and success of the EV industry. 

This dynamic discussion reinforced the urgent need to enhance EV charging reliability in 2025 and showcased how industry collaboration is key to driving meaningful progress. As we all look to the future, the message was clear—reliable EV charging is no longer just a convenience; it’s a necessity. 

Want to dive deeper into the insights that shaped conversations at EVCS? Explore more key takeaways on our EVCS Content Hub.