The popularity of electric vehicles (EVs) appears to be exploding as battery range increases, charging infrastructure expands and government incentives become more attractive. According to the Electric Vehicle World Sales Database, EV sales are increasing. By 2026, electric vehicles will account for more than half of light vehicles sold worldwide, according to a BCG study.
However, there are still hurdles to overcome. One of the biggest problems is the uneven distribution of charging infrastructure, which cannot cope with demand. For example, Europe only has about 62 public charging points per 100,000 inhabitants, while the US has about 37 per capita. This means that many potential EV buyers are waiting until there is a reliable charging infrastructure in their region.
SAP E-Mobility: an intelligent charging experience
Setting up a ubiquitous network of charging points is only one side of the coin. Charging point providers must also provide consumers with a convenient, intelligent and automated charging experience. Think of the one-click online shopping experience that consumers have become accustomed to. To achieve this level of service, an intelligent software platform is required that is linked to other mobility-related business processes and that immediately recognizes the charging profile of your vehicle when connecting to the charging point.
In September 2021, SAP launched SAP E-Mobility, a standardized, cloud-based solution that offers a complete package that allows charging point operators to run their business efficiently and profitably.
SAP E-Mobility is aimed at companies where mobility is the core activity, such as logistics companies that manage large fleets or providers of mobility as a service, such as public transport, municipalities and private ground transport. SAP E-Mobility’s enterprise-level capabilities include integration with other software solutions for expense management, analytics, cost management, billing and invoicing.
Transition to an emission-free fleet in 2030
SAP has made sustainability a central pillar of its business strategy since 2009 and annually publishes its own sustainability performance in an integrated report: (invalid URL removed). It is therefore only logical that SAP uses the business software it develops to increase its own operational efficiency. This is exactly what the company does with SAP E-Mobility.
To deliver on its promise to become climate neutral by 2023, SAP is applying the standard solution to its own electric vehicles, which make up almost a fifth of its total fleet of approximately 27,000 commercial vehicles. Battery electric vehicles have been part of the company’s fleet since 2010, and their share is growing as part of the company’s transition to a zero-emission fleet.