Cariqa gives operators back control when charging

The Berlin-based company Cariqa is fundamentally revolutionizing the charging of electric cars: Instead of the previously common payment concept through e-mobility providers as resellers, Cariqa connects operators (CPOs) and customers directly with each other as a neutral platform. With the Cariqa app, drivers have access to pure prices directly from the charging providers at any time within a single app.

Overview of Benefits

This new concept brings a number of benefits for the CPOs:

• Direct control over pricing: The prices paid by customers can be independently and directly set and changed by the operators via the Cariqa Command Center. These prices will then be passed on to the customer exactly as set, without intermediaries. Cariqa offers non-binding support in determining the appropriate price, taking into account current local and regional dynamics.
• Discount campaigns – for example, the marketing of proprietary subscriptions – are also directly possible through the system and reach the customer in the desired form without any intermediaries taking a cut.
• Direct relationship with the customer: The relationship always remains between the CPO and the charging customer. Cariqa is therefore not a classic e-Mobility service provider (EMP) but merely facilitates payment transactions, invoicing, and customer support for charging sessions initiated through Cariqa.
• Direct control over cash flow: Currently, charging station operators often wait weeks for the payment of charging costs. With Cariqa, transactions are expected to be settled within a few days and the proceeds transferred. According to Cariqa, only a small commission per actual charging session is due for the CPOs.

"Cariqa does not impact the current sales strategy of the CPOs, such as their own EMP solution or their partnerships with EMPs. The solution can be seen as an additional sales channel that is entirely under the control of the CPOs. Similar to how Booking.com connects hotels and travelers, we help CPOs and electric car drivers connect in another convenient way," explains Tamara Ciullo, co-founder and CCO of Cariqa.

What does this mean?

Cariqa will soon start the pilot phase of the new payment system and has already managed to convince CPOs to participate. The previous offering from Cariqa, where customers could book monthly kilowatt-hour packages, will be discontinued in the future. Existing customers will receive corresponding credits for the new dynamic system, into which they will be seamlessly and risk-free transferred.