EV Charging Management Software Platform for EVIQ

Technology consulting

Our collaboration with EVIQ began with technology consulting services to establish a strong foundation for the project. We worked closely with their team to assess their needs and recommend the best approach to architecture design and implementation strategies.

Before engaging with Intelliarts, EVIQ had already decided to develop a custom software solution, rather than opting for a white-label product. While out-of-the-box software could have been implemented more quickly, the company chose custom development for several reasons:

• To meet the unique needs of the region, such as integration with local payment gateways and compliance with ZATCA e-invoicing
• To gain full control over the solution’s evolution and enhance user experience
• To avoid over-reliance on external vendors to introduce new features

When we joined the project, the key focus was on architecture design. EVIQ decided to complement their custom EMSP (e-Mobility Service Provider) development with a white-label solution for CPO (Charge Point Operator), balancing their tight timeline with functional flexibility. The EMSP layer, which directly impacts the EV driver experience, was chosen to be custom-built to handle a mobile application, billing, and payments. Meanwhile, CPO, which deals with station installation, monitoring, and maintenance, was initially outsourced, although EVIQ plans to rewrite this layer in future iterations to further align it with their vision.

During this phase, our industry experts worked with EVIQ to define the platform’s core components and integration strategy, weighing various approaches to find the optimal balance of functionality, reliability, and ease of use. Among the most important topics we consulted on, there was also the use of industry standards vs. private specifications.

Custom software development

Once the architecture was in place, our team moved to custom application development. Several unique challenges arose, primarily due to the regional requirements and constraints:

• Local integration requirements: We carefully selected third-party tools that met the local regulations in Saudi Arabia. Global payment gateways, for instance, were largely incompatible with local needs, so we opted for a local provider and customized the integration to address inconsistencies and ensure seamless transactions. For some payment processes, we even developed custom solutions in-house to enhance reliability. A similar situation occurred when we chose a third party solution for support and a mobile provider for SMM.
• ZATCA: We also integrated with ZATCA (Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority) for e-invoicing, required to comply with Saudi Arabia’s tax and invoicing system. To generate and register each invoice through this system, we had to incorporate a specific XML format for invoices. So this was a complex but essential step for ensuring proper tax reporting and compliance with local laws.

The user experience was a top priority for EVIQ, and we worked to deliver a luxurious, intuitive design that set the platform apart in the market. Respectively, our software engineers built a custom mobile app supporting both Arabic and English, with right-to-left and left-to-right text alignment to ensure accessibility. The interface was designed for ease of use, with advanced features like visualization of the charging stations and so on. 

This app includes standard features such as EV charging, QR code scanning for quick access, location-based station discovery, user feedback, and robust analytics. It has a sleek and modern design and ensures a seamless user experience.

This attention to detail extended to the payment process, where we provided many payment options and incorporated smart features to handle failed payments and provide users with widgets and clear instructions on how to resolve issues.

We also implemented the OCPI protocol to enable future roaming functionality. Later, this would allow users to access multiple charging networks through the same app.

The entire solution is hosted on AWS, using serverless architecture to ensure scalability and cost-effectiveness. In more details:

• With AWS as the backbone, we adopted a pure AWS stack and CDK (Cloud Development Kit) for infrastructure management, making it easy to scale the solution as EVIQ’s network grows. 
• We used TypeScript across both frontend and backend to ensure consistency and greater control over the codebase, streamlining the development process.
• In line with AWS security best practices, the solution leverages AWS WAF to proactively block common web threats. We also used Amazon Cognito to manage robust user authentication and authorization.
• The architecture is built within a well-structured VPC, which strategically employs both private and public API gateways, ensuring sensitive resources remain isolated yet accessible for essential communication.
• Additionally, our platform is architected using Lambda-based microservices to deliver agile, scalable products, and we have implemented carefully designed database structures to ensure proper data segregation and encryption, enhancing data integrity and security.
• Our rigorous security protocols have been validated through comprehensive third-party assessments, culminating in Kroll certification. 

Looking ahead, EVIQ enlisted the help of Intelliarts to continue developing their own CPMS (Charging Point Management System) to manage charging stations more effectively. They also plan to further enhance the user experience by incorporating innovative features and improving the overall interaction with the platform.

Together with our customer, we developed a state-of-the-art software platform for EV charging station management to support EVIQ’s rapidly expanding charging network.

Designed to meet e-mobility industry standards, the solution incorporates key features such as station monitoring, lifecycle management, and streamlined onboarding and offboarding of charging stations. Key accomplishments of this project include:

• With vast domain expertise and knowledge, we delivered the core components of fully functional, high-quality software for EV station management within just six months — a timeline significantly shorter than industry norms.
• Our team ensured smooth integration with systems tailored to the unique requirements of the Saudi market, including local payment gateways, ZATCA e-invoicing, and third-party service providers. These efforts ensured compliance with local regulations, as well as streamlined operations.
• Our custom-built mobile app delivers an intuitive and smooth user experience. Designed with accessibility in mind, it supports both Arabic and English languages with right-to-left and left-to-right text alignment. Beyond localization, it integrates robust features such as a visually appealing visualization of charging stations or multiple payment options.
• Built on a pure AWS serverless architecture, the platform is highly scalable, cost-effective, and reliable. This enables EVIQ to scale their network without major investments in infrastructure, ensuring operational efficiency as they expand across the Kingdom.
• Our approach also ensures that our data handling processes meet stringent privacy requirements, fostering trust with users and ensuring regulatory compliance across all operations.