EV charging infrastructure presents an ideal eRedCap use case profile: moderate data rate requirements (OCPP protocol communications are well within 10 Mbps), locations that may lack fixed-line connectivity, hardware expected to operate for 10-15 years, and commercial pressure to minimise per-charger connectivity cost.
OCPP and Connectivity Requirements
OCPP (Open Charge Point Protocol), the industry-standard protocol for EV charger management, uses WebSocket connections over standard IP. Communication volumes are low: session start/stop, status updates, energy metering data, and occasional firmware updates. eRedCap’s ~10 Mbps capability is more than sufficient for all OCPP operations. The question is reliability and longevity, not throughput.
Deployment Scenarios
Rapid chargers in urban locations typically have fixed broadband connectivity. The eRedCap opportunity is concentrated in more challenging locations: on-street slow chargers without nearby broadband infrastructure, rural rapid chargers, car park installations, and commercial fleet depot chargers where running new fixed connectivity is cost-prohibitive.
5G SA and Smart Grid Integration
As smart grid integration of EV charging advances – dynamic load management, vehicle-to-grid (V2G), demand response – the ability to operate on a dedicated 5G SA network slice becomes relevant. An EV charger participating in demand response programmes needs low latency, reliable signalling to the energy management system. Network slicing on 5G SA provides this in a way that shared 4G LTE cannot.
Hardware Today
For EV charging infrastructure requiring cellular connectivity now, Release 17 RedCap routers (such as the Semtech AirLink EX400) provide 5G SA access at IoT power budgets. These devices will be compatible with eRedCap SIMs and 5G SA networks when eRedCap hardware becomes available in 2026-2027.