EV chargers that don’t work because they’re stuck offline are still a daily frustration for drivers and a costly headache for operators. Emobi and HeyCharge say they have a practical fix for that.
The two companies announced a partnership that enables existing EV chargers to be retrofitted so they can operate reliably even in areas with poor or expensive internet connectivity, such as underground garages and dense urban buildings. Once upgraded, those chargers connect to Emobi’s roaming network, which links more than 140,000 chargers across 26+ charging networks in the US and Canada through a single API.
HeyCharge, a Munich‑based EV charging technology company, focuses on hardware that enables smart EV charging without the internet. Emobi provides the roaming layer, making those chargers visible and usable across automaker systems, fleet platforms, and consumer charging apps.
The fix is straightforward: retrofit older, disconnected chargers instead of ripping them out and starting over. Emobi says the upgraded hardware can also support its JustPlug system, enabling Plug & Charge‑style automatic authentication across both new and legacy chargers.
Many existing chargers struggle with spotty connectivity, which leads to failed sessions, higher operating costs, and frustrated drivers. HeyCharge says its local‑communication setup avoids those failures by reducing dependence on cellular networks, cutting installation time, and avoiding costly network upgrades.
Once retrofitted, chargers become discoverable across major EV platforms and support app‑free charging, without cards or new hardware. Emobi says operators also gain features that offline chargers typically lack, including session tracking, energy‑based billing, and real‑time availability, though how consistently those features perform will matter in real‑world deployments.
For property owners, fleets, and charging operators, the promise is simpler installs, lower costs, and better uptime in challenging locations. For drivers, the benefit is fewer failed charging attempts in garages and urban buildings where connectivity is often weakest.
“This partnership addresses one of the most persistent challenges in EV charging: unreliable or offline chargers that were never designed for modern connectivity,” said Emobi CEO Lin Sun Fa.
HeyCharge CEO Chris Carde added, “Charging needs to be secured and work everywhere, not only where the internet is strong.” By pairing HeyCharge’s offline technology with Emobi’s roaming network, he said, operators get a more reliable product and drivers get a more consistent charging experience across very different environments.
Read more: EVgo plans 150 fast chargers a year at Kroger stores through 2035
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