Charge Point Operator (CPO) and e-Mobility Service Provider (eMSP)

Last modified: Aug 02, 2026

CPO and eMSP describe the infrastructure-facing and driver-facing roles in a public charging service.

The two roles

A charge point operator (CPO) operates charging infrastructure. Its responsibilities can include installing or connecting stations, monitoring their status, maintaining equipment, setting operational rules, and making charge points available to drivers or service partners.

An e-mobility service provider (eMSP) provides a driver-facing charging service. It may offer an app or charging card, show stations and tariffs, authorize sessions, maintain the customer relationship, and combine charging transactions into billing.

One company can perform both roles, but the roles describe different responsibilities. At a roaming charger, the CPO may operate the physical station while the driver's eMSP provides access and receives session information for billing.

How the roles connect

The business and data relationship may be direct or use a roaming platform. Interfaces such as OCPI can exchange charge-point information, tariffs, authorization data, and session records between participating parties. EVRoaming Foundation: OCPI

OCPP serves a different boundary: it primarily connects a charging station with a central management system. Neither role guarantees ownership of the site, electricity supply, universal roaming access, or a particular charging price. EU rules also distinguish infrastructure operation and mobility-service provision when defining public charging obligations. EU Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation

See EV charging protocols and services, Charging-network roaming, and Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) for the adjacent interfaces.

Sources

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