ChargePoint (NYSE: CHPT), a leading provider of networked charging solutions for electric vehicles (EVs), today announced an easier way to offer EV charging. Named the ChargePoint Essential cloud plan, it represents an alternative to a traditional cloud subscription. The ChargePoint Essential cloud plan offers a competitively priced software fee that is covered by driver payments for charging. All revenue beyond this fee is remitted back to the station owner monthly, and activation of the stations is included under the Essentials plan at no extra charge, With the ChargePoint Essential cloud plan, currently available with the company’s lowest-cost level 2 charging solution, the CPF50, customers may reap the benefits of ChargePoint’s leading software platform while eliminating the need for software subscriptions or renewals.

Ideal applications for the ChargePoint Essential cloud plan are scenarios where the chargers are available to the public, but on a restricted basis. These can include multifamily housing, hotels, the hospitality industry, and workplaces. The ChargePoint Essential cloud can eliminate ongoing subscription fees by using charging revenue to cover the cost of the cloud plan.

This effectively provides a financing mechanism for those who wish to offer charging, with any surplus revenue paid out to the station owner after covering monthly costs.“ChargePoint wants small businesses to offer EV charging as seamlessly and easily as possible,” said Rick Wilmer, CEO of ChargePoint.

“Innovative new offerings like ChargePoint’s Essential cloud plan lower the barrier to entry by shouldering ongoing costs and deploying the $699 CPF50 charger to minimize upfront investment. The plan is an excellent way to offer charging without sacrificing quality or the ability to scale.”

The ChargePoint Essential cloud plan is the perfect solution for condominiums, apartment buildings, and similar multifamily housing complexes which have historically struggled to offer charging for residents. The ChargePoint Essential cloud plan enables access for residents or guests, direct payment for the energy and associated costs, and consolidated billing so management is not burdened.

Multiple residents can share a single charger while still paying individually, and ongoing costs are covered by the session fees at a rate set by management. The CPF50 offers site hosts a flexible charging solution available in single or dual-port configurations.

Additionally, with the ChargePoint Essential cloud plan’s power sharing capabilities, site hosts can add incremental stations without overloading the location’s electrical service. This keeps installation costs affordable and minimizes the need for initial investment.