Methods for charging an electric vehicle and system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for charging an electric vehicle and a system, wherein the method comprises the steps of: selecting a charging station of a charging point provider, in particular by means of an e-mobility provider app or an e-mobility provider RFID card, by the electric vehicle user of the electric vehicle to be charged; transmitting the charging request of the electric vehicle at the charging station of the charging point provider to an e-roaming platform and / or to several other e-mobility providers that are connected via a direct connection to the user's own e-mobility provider, wherein the e-roaming platform selects an e-mobility provider from among the e-mobility providers connected to it for the charging station depending on at least one selection parameter.wherein the user's own e-mobility provider selects an e-mobility provider for the charging station from among the other e-mobility providers directly connected to it, depending on at least one selection parameter; charging of the electric vehicle at the charging station of the charging point provider based on the at least one selection parameter by the selected e-mobility provider.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for charging an electric vehicle at a charging station of a charging point provider and a system for charging the electric vehicle. State of the art

[0002] To charge their electric vehicle, users typically have a contract with at least one e-mobility provider to charge at public charging stations. The user can only charge at stations offered by that specific e-mobility provider and pays the charging price offered by that provider. However, different e-mobility providers usually offer different prices at the same charging station. To find a better price, users must therefore have multiple contracts with different e-mobility providers and compare prices beforehand.

[0003] With the increase in electromobility and the charging network, and the associated increase in the number of e-mobility providers, there is therefore a great interest in an improved charging method for the electric vehicle user.

[0004] DE 10 2020 107 365 A1 discloses a method for activating an electric charging process between an electric vehicle and a charging station, wherein certificate data for activating the charging process is stored in a server facility by means of a user's operating device, which is different from the vehicle, and the operating device transmits the certificate data to a data storage device assigned to the vehicle in the server facility by means of a predetermined transmission command, and before or while the vehicle is connected to the charging station for the charging process, a control unit of the vehicle sends access data to an activation circuit of the charging station for accessing the data storage device, and the activation circuit uses the access data to request the certificate data from the vehicle's data storage device from the server facility, andIf the requested certificate data meets a predetermined admissibility criterion, the loading process is carried out. Disclosure of the invention

[0005] In the following, the “own e-mobility provider” or the “original e-mobility provider” is the e-mobility provider with whom the electric vehicle user wishes to carry out a charging process in the specific case. In the following, the “new e-mobility provider” or the “selected e-mobility provider” is the e-mobility provider that temporarily takes over the contractual relationship with the charging point provider for a charging process instead of its own e-mobility provider.

[0006] The present invention provides a method for charging an electric vehicle according to independent claim 1 and a system for charging an electric vehicle according to independent claim 13.

[0007] Accordingly, a procedure for charging an electric vehicle comprises the following steps: - Selecting a charging station from a charging point provider, in particular by means of an e-mobility provider app or by using an e-mobility provider RFID card, by the electric vehicle user of the electric vehicle to be charged, - Transferring the charging request of the electric vehicle at the charging station of the charging point provider to an e-roaming platform and / or to several other e-mobility providers, whereby the other e-mobility providers may also be connected via a direct connection to the user's own e-mobility provider with whom the electric vehicle user has a contract for charging their electric vehicle, wherein the e-roaming platform selects an e-mobility provider from among its connected e-mobility providers for the charging station based on at least one selection criterion, wherein the at least one selection criterion is in particular the charging price, or wherein the user's own e-mobility provider selects an e-mobility provider from among its other e-mobility providers directly connected to it for the charging station based on at least one selection criterion, wherein the at least one selection criterion is in particular the charging price. - Charging the electric vehicle at the charging station of the charging point provider based on at least one selection parameter provided by the selected e-mobility provider.

[0008] Furthermore, the following is planned: a system for charging an electric vehicle, in particular using the method according to claim 1, wherein the system comprises: - a charging point provider with a charging station for charging an electric vehicle of an electric vehicle user, - Several e-mobility providers for charging electric vehicles at the charging point provider's charging station, including the user's own e-mobility provider with whom the electric vehicle user has a contract for charging their electric vehicle, wherein the user's own e-mobility provider is connected to the other e-mobility providers via an e-roaming platform and / or via a direct connection, wherein, based on at least one selection criterion, an e-mobility provider can be selected from the several e-mobility providers for charging the electric vehicle via the e-roaming platform or the user's own e-mobility provider. Advantages of the invention

[0009] The present invention is based on the understanding that searching for a lower charging price is time-consuming and inconvenient. For example, electric vehicle users must first conclude a contract with various e-mobility providers to charge their electric vehicle at their chosen charging station and then, before charging, identify the provider with the cheapest charging price from among these providers.

[0010] The present invention is therefore based on the idea of ​​taking this finding into account and providing a simplified method for charging an electric vehicle. The present invention is based on the measure whereby a respective e-mobility provider makes its own data, in particular prices, for the individual charging stations available to an e-roaming platform connected to it, and this data is then made available to multiple electric vehicle users by the e-roaming platform. Instead of the e-roaming platform, a respective e-mobility provider can also be connected to other e-mobility providers via a direct connection and query their data, in particular prices, for the individual charging stations.

[0011] By providing data, especially charging prices, to an e-roaming platform, the platform can identify a more affordable e-mobility provider for charging than the user's own current provider. This eliminates the tedious process for electric vehicle users of finding the most suitable, and especially the cheapest, e-mobility provider.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the method for charging an electric vehicle, the method further comprises the following steps: Providing an e-mobility provider app, wherein the e-mobility provider app is designed in such a way that the charging station of the charging point provider can be selected by the e-mobility provider's own e-mobility provider using the e-mobility provider app, with whom the electric vehicle user has a contract to charge their electric vehicle at the charging station, and selecting a charging station of a charging point provider using the e-mobility provider app by the electric vehicle user of the electric vehicle to be charged.In a further embodiment of the method for charging an electric vehicle, the method again comprises the following steps: providing an e-mobility provider RFID card and an RFID card reader at the charging station of the charging point provider, and selecting a charging station of a charging point provider by means of the e-mobility provider RFID card, by the electric vehicle user of the electric vehicle to be charged, by reading the e-mobility provider RFID card at the RFID card reader.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the method, the step of transmitting the electric vehicle's charging request at the charging point provider's charging station to the e-roaming platform or to other e-mobility providers connected via direct connection is accomplished by the following steps: forwarding the electric vehicle's charging request to the user's own e-mobility provider using the e-mobility provider's app, and, in the case of the e-roaming platform, additionally by transmitting the charging request from the user's own e-mobility provider to the e-roaming platform. The user's own e-mobility provider instructs the e-roaming platform to select an e-mobility provider based on at least one selection parameter for the charging station.In the case of a direct connection with other e-mobility providers, your own e-mobility provider will select a new e-mobility provider from among those directly connected, based on at least one selection criterion for the charging station. Your own e-mobility provider has a contract with the charging point provider for charging an electric vehicle at the charging station. In a further step, the charging request from the e-roaming platform or your own e-mobility provider is transmitted to the charging point provider via the newly selected e-mobility provider. Finally, an ad-hoc contract is concluded between the newly selected e-mobility provider and your original e-mobility provider for the charging point provider's charging station to charge the electric vehicle.Furthermore, the new, selected e-mobility provider will confirm the charging request of the electric vehicle by the charging point provider, activate the charging station, and charge the electric vehicle at the charging station.

[0014] According to a further embodiment of the method, the step of transmitting the charging request of the electric vehicle at the charging point provider's charging station to the e-roaming platform or to the other e-mobility providers connected via the respective direct connection is carried out by the following steps: forwarding the charging request of the electric vehicle to the user's own e-mobility provider using the e-mobility provider's app, and, in the case of an e-roaming platform, also by transmitting the charging request from the user's own e-mobility provider to the e-roaming platform, whereby the user's own e-mobility provider instructs the e-roaming platform to select an e-mobility provider depending on the at least one selection parameter for the charging station, or to select an e-mobility provider itself from the other e-mobility providers connected via direct connection depending on the at least one selection parameter for the charging station.The user's own e-mobility provider does not have a contract with the charging point provider for charging an electric vehicle at the charging station. The process therefore includes the further step of concluding an ad-hoc contract between the user's own e-mobility provider and the charging point provider of the charging station for charging the electric vehicle user's vehicle. With the e-roaming platform, the user's own e-mobility provider also instructs the e-roaming platform to conclude the ad-hoc contract between itself, the user's own e-mobility provider, and the charging point provider of the charging station for charging the electric vehicle user's vehicle. The e-roaming platform then selects an e-mobility provider from its network of connected e-mobility providers for the charging station, based on at least one selection criterion, in particular a charging price.The customer's own e-mobility provider selects a new e-mobility provider from among those directly connected, depending on at least one selection criterion for the charging station. The process further comprises the following steps: the charging request from the e-roaming platform or the customer's own e-mobility provider is transmitted to the charging point provider via the new, selected e-mobility provider, and an ad-hoc contract is concluded between the new, selected e-mobility provider and the original, customer's own e-mobility provider for the charging point provider's charging station to charge the electric vehicle.Furthermore, the procedure outlines the steps of the charging point provider confirming the charging request of the electric vehicle via the new, selected e-mobility provider, as well as the charging point provider activating the charging station, and the new, selected e-mobility provider charging the electric vehicle at the charging station.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the method, the step of transmitting the charging request of the electric vehicle at the charging point provider's charging station to the e-roaming platform is carried out by transmitting the charging request of the electric vehicle at the charging point provider's charging station from the charging point provider to the e-roaming platform, wherein the e-roaming platform transmits the charging request, together with the data of the e-mobility provider RFID card, to e-mobility providers connected to it, including the e-mobility provider's own RFID card, the e-mobility provider's own RFID card having a contract with the charging point provider to charge an electric vehicle at the charging station.The user's own e-mobility provider authorizes the charging process at the charging point provider's charging station in one step and instructs the e-roaming platform to select the e-mobility provider based on at least one selection parameter, whereby the e-roaming platform selects an e-mobility provider from among its connected e-mobility providers for the charging station, depending on the at least one selection parameter.The process further comprises the following steps: The authorization for charging the electric vehicle at the charging station is transferred from the e-roaming platform to the charging point provider by the newly selected e-mobility provider, and the charging point provider confirms the electric vehicle's charging request via the newly selected e-mobility provider. An ad-hoc contract is then concluded between the selected e-mobility provider and the original, in-house e-mobility provider for the charging point provider's charging station. The process further comprises the steps of the charging point provider activating the charging station and the selected e-mobility provider charging the electric vehicle at the charging station.

[0016] According to another embodiment of the method, the step of transmitting the charging request of the electric vehicle at the charging point provider's charging station to the e-roaming platform further comprises the following steps: The charging point provider transmits the charging request of the electric vehicle at the charging point provider's charging station to the e-roaming platform, wherein the e-roaming platform transmits the charging request, along with the data from the e-mobility provider's RFID card, to e-mobility providers connected to it, preferably all e-mobility providers connected to it, including the e-mobility provider's own RFID card. The e-mobility provider's own RFID card provider does not have a contract with the charging point provider for charging an electric vehicle at the charging station.The procedure therefore includes the following further steps: the user's own e-mobility provider also instructs the e-roaming platform to conclude an ad-hoc contract between itself, the user's own e-mobility provider, and the charging point provider of the charging station for charging the electric vehicle of the electric vehicle user; the user's own e-mobility provider authorizes the charging process at the charging point provider's charging station; and the e-roaming platform instructs the e-mobility provider to select the e-mobility provider based on at least one selection parameter, with the e-roaming platform selecting an e-mobility provider from among its affiliated e-mobility providers for the charging station, depending on at least one selection parameter.The following steps then take place: The authorization to charge the electric vehicle at the charging station is transferred from the e-roaming platform to the charging point provider by the new, selected e-mobility provider. The charging point provider then confirms the electric vehicle's charging request via the new, selected e-mobility provider, thereby concluding an ad-hoc contract between the new, selected e-mobility provider and the original, own e-mobility provider for the charging point provider's charging station. Finally, the charging point provider activates the charging station, and the selected e-mobility provider initiates the charging of the electric vehicle at the charging station.

[0017] In a further embodiment of the method, the method further includes the steps of terminating the charging process of the electric vehicle at the charging station via the selected e-mobility provider and, in the case of the e-roaming platform, also the sending of at least all billing-relevant data by the charging point provider to the e-roaming platform. The method further comprises the steps of the charging point provider billing the selected e-mobility provider for the charging process at the charging station; the selected e-mobility provider billing the original, own e-mobility provider for the charging process; and the own e-mobility provider billing the electric vehicle user for the charging process.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the method according to the invention, the method includes the step that if the charging price, as the at least one selection parameter of the new, selected e-mobility provider, is higher than the charging price of the company's own e-mobility provider, then in the step of billing the charging process of the company's own e-mobility provider to the electric vehicle user, the company's own e-mobility provider bills the electric vehicle user with the then lower charging price of its own e-mobility provider instead of the higher charging price of the new, selected e-mobility provider.

[0019] In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, the at least one selection parameter is the charging price, e.g. a lower or the lowest charging price, the charging duration, e.g. a lower or the lowest charging duration, and / or the charging energy, e.g. a higher or the highest charging energy, etc. Depending on the at least one selection parameter, the e-roaming platform selects the e-mobility provider for the charging process at the charging station of the charging point provider.

[0020] According to another embodiment of the method according to the invention, the step in which the e-roaming platform selects an e-mobility provider from among its connected e-mobility providers for the charging station, depending on at least one selection parameter, includes the additional step of the e-roaming platform informing its own e-mobility provider about the at least one selection parameter, in particular the lower charging price, of the newly selected e-mobility provider. Furthermore, the method preferably also includes the step of the e-mobility provider confirming the at least one selection parameter, e.g., the lower charging price, of the newly selected e-mobility provider to the e-roaming platform.

[0021] In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, the method includes the step of: Confirmation by the electric vehicle user that the electric vehicle is to be charged at the charging station by the new, selected e-mobility provider on the basis of at least one selection parameter, e.g. the lower charging price, wherein this step takes place in particular before the step of charging the electric vehicle at the charging station.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the method according to the invention, the method comprises the step of adding a price surcharge to the charging price of the new, selected e-mobility provider by the user's own e-mobility provider, wherein the sum of the charging price of the selected e-mobility provider and the price surcharge is less than the charging price of the user's own e-mobility provider with whom the electric vehicle user has a contract for charging the electric vehicle.

[0023] The above embodiments and further developments can be combined with one another as appropriate. Further embodiments, further developments, and implementations of the invention also include combinations of features of the invention described previously or subsequently with regard to the exemplary embodiments, even if not explicitly mentioned. In particular, the person skilled in the art will also add individual aspects as improvements or additions to the respective basic forms of the invention. Brief description of the drawings

[0024] The present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the schematic figures of the drawings. These show: Fig. 1: a schematic representation of a flowchart as it underlies a method according to an embodiment in which an e-mobility provider app is used for the charging process; Fig.2: a schematic representation of a flowchart as it underlies a method according to a further embodiment in which an RFID e-mobility provider card is used for the charging process; and Fig. 3: a diagram of the devices involved in the charging process according to an embodiment of the invention. Embodiments of the invention

[0025] According to one embodiment of the invention, various e-mobility providers (EMPs) make their respective price information available to an e-roaming platform (eR-PLF) connected to them.

[0026] Generally, an e-mobility provider (EMP) has a contract or contractual relationship with various charging point providers (CPOs) of charging stations for electric vehicles. Such a contractual relationship can be established via an e-roaming platform (eR-PLF) or bilaterally between the parties outside of the e-roaming platform. Based on these contracts between the charging point providers and the e-mobility providers, and other parameters factored into the calculation, such as business model, internal structures, profit margins, etc., an e-mobility provider then offers end-customer prices to electric vehicle users.

[0027] The following table shows a simple example of end-customer prices with three e-mobility providers EMP-A, EMP-B and EMP-C and two charging stations: E-mobility provider EMP End customer price charging station 1 End customer price charging station 2 EMP-A 0.50 EUR 0.60 EUR EMP-B 0.55 EUR 0.55 EUR EMP-C 0.51 EUR 0.53 EUR

[0028] According to the invention, the charging prices are made available to the e-roaming platform by the e-mobility providers. These charging prices are the subsequent "ad-hoc e-mobility user (EMP) prices," based on which, as an example of a selection criterion, a suitable e-mobility user is then chosen to charge their electric vehicle at the charging station.

[0029] Simultaneously, the e-mobility provider offers its prices to other e-mobility providers via a "pass-through model." Naturally, an e-mobility provider only provides prices for those charging stations with which it has a contract.

[0030] Essentially, the end-customer prices of an e-mobility provider do not necessarily have to be identical to the prices that the e-mobility provider makes available on the e-roaming platform (eR-PLF). An e-mobility provider can, for example, publish modified prices compared to the e-roaming platform.

[0031] An inventive process for charging an electric vehicle of an electric vehicle user at a charging station of a charging point provider selected by him is described in Fig. Figure 1 shows the electric vehicle user's own e-mobility provider app being used to carry out the charging process.

[0032] The procedure for charging an electric vehicle by the electric vehicle user comprises the following steps: Selecting a charging station in step S1 of a charging point provider using an e-mobility provider app by the electric vehicle user of the electric vehicle to be charged, on which the charging process is to be carried out.

[0033] Transferring the charging request of the electric vehicle at the charging station of the charging point provider to an e-roaming platform in one step S2.

[0034] In step S3, the e-roaming platform selects an e-mobility provider from its network of connected providers for the charging station where the charging process is to take place, based on at least one selection criterion. This at least one selection criterion is, for example, the charging price, more precisely, the lowest or cheapest charging price.

[0035] In a further step (S4), the charging request for the electric vehicle is confirmed by the charging point provider via the newly selected e-mobility provider, and the charging point provider activates their charging station where the charging process is to take place. In a further step (S5), the electric vehicle is charged at the charging station by the newly selected e-mobility provider (S5) based on at least one selection parameter, e.g., the charging price. Billing for the charging process then takes place.

[0036] In step S6, the charging process of the electric vehicle at the charging station is terminated by the selected e-mobility provider. In step S7, the charging point provider also sends at least all billing-relevant data to the e-roaming platform.

[0037] Furthermore, in step S8, the charging point provider bills the selected e-mobility provider for the charging process at the charging station. In a further step S9, the selected e-mobility provider bills the original, in-house e-mobility provider for the charging process. Finally, in step S10, the in-house e-mobility provider bills the electric vehicle user, the end customer, for the charging process.

[0038] In one embodiment of the inventive method for charging an electric vehicle of an electric vehicle user at a charging station selected by the latter, the following sequence of events occurs, for example. a. In the e-mobility provider app of the user's own or original e-mobility provider, with whom the electric vehicle user has a contract for charging their electric vehicle, the electric vehicle user first selects a charging station or charging point. b. The charging request is transmitted from the e-mobility provider's app to the e-mobility provider. c. The e-mobility provider forwards the charging request to an e-roaming platform with the additional information that the most cost-effective e-mobility provider for the driver should be used. d. The e-roaming platform uses the various available e-mobility provider prices, i.e., ad-hoc e-mobility provider prices as a selection criterion, to determine which e-mobility provider offers the cheapest charging price. e. The e-roaming platform forwards the charging request to the charging point provider, whereby the charging request is passed on to the charging point provider on behalf of the new, selected cheaper e-mobility provider. f. The charging point provider confirms the charging request and activates the charging station. This step or process may also involve several messages between the charging point provider, the e-roaming platform, and / or the e-mobility provider. g. After the charging process has ended, the charging point provider sends data about the charging process, in particular billing-relevant data about the charging process, to the selected, cheaper e-mobility provider via the e-roaming platform and, for example, later settles this charging process with this selected, cheaper e-mobility provider. h. The cheaper e-mobility provider uses the billing-relevant data from the charging process to bill its own, original e-mobility provider. The original e-mobility provider is the one with whom the electric vehicle user has a contract to charge their electric vehicle at the charging station of the charging point provider they have chosen. i. The original e-mobility provider, in turn, uses the billing-relevant data on the charging process to bill the electric vehicle user as the end customer.

[0039] In further embodiments of the invention, at least one or more of the following additional steps can also be carried out, thereby replacing or supplementing previously described steps, for example: A) In step 1c above, not only can the additional information be transferred that the cheapest e-mobility provider should be selected based on the charging price, but further selection criteria or parameters can also be specified, on the basis of which the search for the e-mobility provider should be conducted. For example, a hypothetical charging process can be assumed, such as a charging time of 30 minutes and 30 kWh of charging energy, and the cheapest e-mobility provider for this hypothetical charging process can be searched for. This takes into account the fact that some e-mobility providers charge per minute or even one-time fees. Other e-mobility providers, on the other hand, charge a higher price per charging energy or kWh. B) Following step 1d above, the e-roaming platform informs the user's original e-mobility provider about the lower prices available to the electric vehicle user. The user's original e-mobility provider can then display these lower prices to the electric vehicle user. C) In addition to B), the original, proprietary e-mobility provider confirms the lower prices compared to the e-roaming platform, so the e-roaming platform can proceed with step 1e above. D) In ​​addition to C), the original, in-house e-mobility provider asks the electric vehicle user beforehand whether the lower charging price should be applied. Only after confirmation by the electric vehicle user will the lower charging price and their e-mobility provider actually be used to charge the electric vehicle at the charging station. E) If, for example, due to per-minute pricing etc., the final price after the end of the charging process should be higher for the end customer, i.e. the electric vehicle user, the end customer will be billed using the cheaper of the two pricing models. F) In addition to D), the original e-mobility provider may add a surcharge to the lower prices, provided that the surcharge does not make it more expensive for the electric vehicle user. The surcharge should therefore result in a charging price that remains below the charging price of the original, in-house e-mobility provider. G) Instead of using the above step 1c ff., the selection criterion for choosing the new e-mobility provider can be not only the charging price, in particular the lowest charging price, but also based on another or at least one additional selection criterion, e.g. charging power, charging duration, etc., for example, the one with a shorter charging duration and / or higher charging energy, etc. H) The inventive method for charging an electric vehicle at a charging station can be implemented not only via an e-roaming platform connected to e-mobility providers, including the electric vehicle user's own e-mobility provider, but also or alternatively via one or more direct connections between e-mobility providers. In this case, the user's own original e-mobility provider requests, via a direct connection, whether the other e-mobility provider could handle the charging process. The other steps of a successful charging process then proceed accordingly.

[0040] Another step according to the invention for charging an electric vehicle at a charging station selected by the electric vehicle user is described in Fig.Figure 2 shows that, instead of an e-mobility provider app, an e-mobility provider RFID card of the electric vehicle user is used to carry out the charging process.

[0041] The procedure for charging an electric vehicle by the electric vehicle user comprises the following steps: Selecting a charging station or authenticating at the charging station in one step S1* of a charging point provider using an e-mobility provider RFID card by the electric vehicle user of the vehicle to be charged. The e-mobility provider RFID card is read by an RFID card reader at the charging station.

[0042] In step S2*, the charging request of the electric vehicle at the charging point provider's charging station is transmitted to an e-roaming platform. This involves the charging point provider transmitting the charging request to the e-roaming platform, which then forwards the charging request, along with the data from the e-mobility provider's RFID card, to connected e-mobility providers, preferably all of them, including its own e-mobility provider's RFID card.

[0043] In step S3*, the e-roaming platform (after receiving feedback from its own e-mobility provider) selects an e-mobility provider from its network of connected providers for the charging station where the charging process is to take place, based on at least one selection criterion. This at least one selection criterion is, for example, the charging price, more precisely, the lowest or cheapest charging price.

[0044] In a further step, S4*, the charging request for the electric vehicle is confirmed by the charging point provider via the newly selected e-mobility provider, and the charging point provider activates their charging station where the charging process is to take place. In a further step, S5*, the electric vehicle is charged at the charging station by the newly selected e-mobility provider based on at least one selection parameter, e.g., the charging price. Billing for the charging process then takes place.

[0045] In step S6*, the charging process of the electric vehicle at the charging station is terminated by the selected e-mobility provider. In step S7*, the charging point provider also sends at least all billing-relevant data to the e-roaming platform.

[0046] In step S8*, the charging point provider bills the selected e-mobility provider for the charging process at the charging station. In a further step S9*, the selected e-mobility provider bills the original, in-house e-mobility provider for the charging process. Finally, in step S10*, the in-house e-mobility provider bills the electric vehicle user, the end customer, for the charging process.

[0047] In one embodiment of the inventive method for charging an electric vehicle of an electric vehicle user at a charging station selected by the user, the following sequence occurs, for example, where an e-mobility provider RFID card is used instead of an e-mobility provider app: a. The electric vehicle user holds the e-mobility provider RFID card to an RFID card reader at the charging station where he wants to charge his electric vehicle. b. The charging station transmits the data from the e-mobility provider's RFID card to the charging point provider. c. The charging point provider transmits the data from the e-mobility provider RFID card to the e-roaming platform. d. The e-roaming platform transmits the data of the e-mobility provider RFID card to all connected e-mobility providers, since the so-called own e-mobility provider, with whom the electric vehicle user has a contract to charge his electric vehicle at the charging station, is not yet known at this time. e. The e-mobility provider to which this e-mobility provider RFID card belongs, and thus the original, own e-mobility provider, then authorizes the charging process and reports this back to the e-roaming platform, along with the information that, for example, a cheaper e-mobility provider should be checked as an example of a selection size. f. The e-roaming platform uses the provided charging prices or ad-hoc e-mobility provider prices as a selection criterion to determine which e-mobility provider is most affordable for the electric vehicle user during the charging process. g. The e-roaming platform transfers the authorization to the charging point provider, who then activates the charging station. The authorization is passed on to the charging point provider on behalf of the new, selected e-mobility provider, in this case, for example, the more affordable one. The original, in-house e-mobility provider and the new, selected e-mobility provider thus automatically conclude an ad-hoc contract. In this context, the new, selected e-mobility provider receives the relevant data concerning the original, in-house mobility provider via the e-roaming platform for later billing purposes.

[0048] The new, selected e-mobility provider needs the billing data of the original, own e-mobility provider in order to send the corresponding invoice to them later. h. The invoicing or billing corresponds in turn to the charging process of the electric vehicle of the electric vehicle user started in the first case by means of an e-mobility provider app, see also steps S6*-S10*.

[0049] The further embodiments described above in points A) to H) with reference to starting the charging process using an e-mobility provider app also apply accordingly to starting the charging process using the e-mobility provider RFID card.

[0050] If an electric vehicle user does not have a contract with an e-mobility provider that permits charging at the provider's charging station, the user will not be able to charge their vehicle at that station. In this case, the charging station provider will reject the user's charging request and will not activate the charging process.

[0051] In a further embodiment of the invention, however, it is made possible for the electric vehicle to be charged at this charging station.

[0052] The charging process is also initiated using the previously described e-mobility provider app of the user's own or original e-mobility provider, with whom the electric vehicle user has a charging contract. The basic framework described above, with steps S1-S5 for an e-mobility provider app, still applies. a. In the electric vehicle user's own e-mobility provider app, the user selects the desired charging station. The user's own e-mobility provider app displays several charging stations, including those with which the user's e-mobility provider does not have a contract for charging electric vehicles. b. The charging request is transmitted from the e-mobility provider app to the user's own e-mobility provider. c. The e-mobility provider forwards the charging request to an e-roaming platform connected to it. Since the e-mobility provider already knows or has determined that it does not have a contract with this charging point provider for charging at their charging station, the e-mobility provider forwards the charging request to the e-roaming platform with the additional information that it wishes to enter into an ad-hoc contractual relationship. More precisely, an ad-hoc contract for charging the electric vehicle of the electric vehicle user at the charging point provider's charging station. d. The e-roaming platform uses the charging prices provided by the e-mobility providers as a selection criterion to determine which e-mobility provider is the most affordable for the electric vehicle user for charging at the selected charging station. e. The e-roaming platform forwards the charging request to the charging point provider. The charging request is then forwarded from the e-roaming platform to the charging point provider on behalf of the new, selected e-mobility provider, in this case, for example, the more affordable one. The original, user's own e-mobility provider and the new, selected e-mobility provider automatically conclude an ad-hoc contract. In this context, the new, selected e-mobility provider receives relevant data from the original, user's mobility provider via the e-roaming platform for later billing purposes. f. The charging point provider confirms the charging request and activates the charging station. This step may also involve several messages between the charging point provider, the e-roaming platform, and / or the respective e-mobility provider. g. After the charging process has ended, the charging point provider sends data about the charging process, in particular all billing-relevant data about the charging process, to the new, selected e-mobility provider via the e-roaming platform and, for example, later settles this charging process with the new, selected e-mobility provider. h. The new, selected e-mobility provider, e.g., a cheaper e-mobility provider, uses the billing-relevant data of the charging process to bill the original, own e-mobility provider. i. The original, in-house e-mobility provider uses the billing-relevant data of the charging process to bill the electric vehicle user as the end customer.

[0053] In this way, the electric vehicle user can charge at this charging station even if their own e-mobility provider does not initially have a charging contract with the charging point provider. This is made possible by the ad-hoc contract for charging the electric vehicle at the charging station between the original, existing e-mobility provider and the newly selected e-mobility provider. The further embodiments described above in points A) to H) with regard to the charging procedure also apply accordingly to this charging procedure using the e-mobility provider app, where, moreover, no ad-hoc contract initially exists.

[0054] This charging process can also be started with an e-mobility provider RFID card from the electric vehicle user's own e-mobility provider, instead of the previously described e-mobility provider app.

[0055] In one embodiment of the invention, the charging process with the e-mobility provider RFID card is carried out as follows: a. The electric vehicle user holds the e-mobility provider RFID card against an RFID card reader at the selected charging station. It is irrelevant whether the charging station is displayed in the electric vehicle user's e-mobility provider app or not. The electric vehicle user can use any charging station equipped with an RFID card reader. b. The charging station transmits the data from the e-mobility provider's RFID card to its charging point provider. c. The charging point provider transmits the data from the e-mobility provider RFID card to the e-roaming platform connected to it. d. The e-roaming platform transmits the data of the e-mobility provider RFID card to all connected e-mobility providers, since the e-mobility provider for charging at the charging station is not yet known at this time. e. The e-mobility provider to which the e-mobility provider RFID card belongs, i.e., the user's own e-mobility provider, knows or determines that it does not have a contract with this charging point provider for charging an electric vehicle at its charging station. Therefore, the user's own e-mobility provider reports back to its connected e-roaming platform that the charging process is authorized on its part, but that an ad-hoc contract is desired with a new, selected e-mobility provider. f. The e-roaming platform uses the provided charging prices, as an example of a selection criterion, to determine which e-mobility provider is cheapest for charging the electric vehicle at the selected charging station. g. The e-roaming platform forwards the charging request to the charging point provider. The charging request is forwarded by the e-roaming platform to the charging point provider on behalf of the new, selected e-mobility provider, in this case, for example, the more affordable one. The original, user's own e-mobility provider and the new, selected e-mobility provider automatically conclude an ad-hoc contract. In this context, the new, selected e-mobility provider receives relevant data from the original, user's mobility provider via the e-roaming platform for later billing purposes. h. The charging point provider confirms the charging request and activates the charging station. This step may also involve several messages between the charging point provider, the e-roaming platform, and / or the respective e-mobility provider. i. After the charging process has ended, the charging point provider sends data about the charging process, in particular all billing-relevant data about the charging process, to the new, selected e-mobility provider via the e-roaming platform and, for example, later settles this charging process with this new, selected e-mobility provider. j. The new, selected e-mobility provider, e.g., a cheaper e-mobility provider, uses the billing-relevant data of the charging process to bill the original, own e-mobility provider. k. The original, in-house e-mobility provider uses the billing-relevant data of the charging process to bill the electric vehicle user as the end customer.

[0056] This allows the electric vehicle user to charge at the selected charging point. This is made possible by an ad-hoc contract for charging the electric vehicle at the charging station between the original, in-house e-mobility provider and the new, selected e-mobility provider.

[0057] The further embodiments previously described in points A) to H) with reference to the charging method can be applied to all embodiments of the invention, in particular individual points or combinations of points.

[0058] In Fig. Figure 3 shows a diagram of the devices involved in the charging process according to the invention, as previously described with reference to the various embodiments.

[0059] The diagram shows an electric vehicle user 1 with their electric vehicle 9, as well as a charging station 8 of a charging point provider 7. To select the charging station 8 of the charging point provider 7, the electric vehicle user 1 has an e-mobility provider app 2 or an e-mobility provider RFID card, with which they select the charging station 8 to charge their electric vehicle 9.

[0060] The charging request at charging station 8 is transmitted by the charging point provider 7 to an e-roaming platform 4, which is connected to several e-mobility providers 3, 5, 6, including the electric vehicle user 1's own e-mobility provider 3. As previously stated, the electric vehicle user 1 has a contract with their own e-mobility provider 3 for charging their electric vehicle 9.

[0061] Additionally or alternatively, the charging request can also be transmitted from your own e-mobility provider to other e-mobility providers via a direct connection (not shown) to these providers.

[0062] Depending on at least one selection criterion, e.g., the lowest charging price, the e-roaming platform 4 selects a new e-mobility provider 3, 5, or 6 for charging at the charging station. This at least one selection criterion, e.g., the charging price, charging power, or charging duration, is provided to the e-roaming platform 4 by its connected e-mobility providers 3, 5, and 6, including its own e-mobility provider 3.

[0063] The same applies if, instead of the e-roaming platform, the company's own e-mobility provider 3 is connected to several other e-mobility providers 5, 6 via direct connections. In this case, the company's own e-mobility provider 3 selects an e-mobility provider 3, 5, or 6 from among those directly connected to it, based on at least one selection criterion. For example, the e-mobility provider with the lowest charging price, shortest charging time, or highest charging capacity might be selected. The e-mobility providers 5, 6 directly connected to the company's own e-mobility provider 3 provide the company's own e-mobility provider 3 with at least one selection criterion, such as their charging price, charging capacity, and / or charging duration, just as with the e-roaming platform 4.The company's own e-mobility provider 3 then selects an e-mobility provider 3, 5 or 6 from the e-mobility providers 5 6 connected to it via direct connection, based on at least one selection criterion.

[0064] Based on this, the electric vehicle 9 is then charged at charging station 8 using the new, selected e-mobility provider, for example at the lowest charging price as at least one selection option, and billed later.

[0065] Depending on whether or not a contract exists between the user's own e-mobility provider 3 and the charging point provider 7 of charging station 8, an ad-hoc contract will be concluded between the user's own e-mobility provider 3 and the charging point provider 8 to enable charging. This contract may be concluded indirectly by involving another e-mobility provider (5 or 6), whereby the user's own e-mobility provider 3 enters into an ad-hoc contract with another e-mobility provider (5 or 6), which in turn has a regular contract with the charging point provider 7.

[0066] Through the charging method according to the invention, as previously described using exemplary embodiments, the end customer receives, depending on the selected parameters, for example, a more favorable tariff or the most favorable tariff. The electric vehicle user's original, existing e-mobility provider then pays the selected, more favorable e-mobility provider based on the prices of the selected, more favorable e-mobility provider.

[0067] The selected, more affordable e-mobility provider suffers no disadvantages, as they receive the price they have published or provided. On the contrary, the selected, more affordable e-mobility provider can increase the number of charging sessions with the respective charging point provider, which can lead to a stronger negotiating position in the future. The charging point provider receives the amount according to the contract with the selected, more affordable e-mobility provider. Only the electric vehicle user's original, existing e-mobility provider may experience financial disadvantages, as their margin may be lower or even nonexistent. Nevertheless, the original, existing e-mobility provider benefits, including increased customer satisfaction through lower prices, resulting in more customers and a stronger negotiating position with the charging point provider. The e-mobility provider can also offer this "lowest price guarantee," for example.This can be offset by a monthly base fee as part of a mixed calculation. Such low-price models can also be used for advertising or promotional purposes. For example, coupons or vouchers can be issued that then unlock such low-price offers for electric vehicle users, e.g., for a certain period of time. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2020 107 365 A1

[0004]

Claims

[1] Method for charging an electric vehicle comprising the steps: - Selection of a charging station (S1; S1*) of a charging point provider, in particular by means of an e-mobility provider app or by holding an e-mobility provider RFID card, by the electric vehicle user of the electric vehicle to be charged, - Transferring the charging request of the electric vehicle at the charging station of the charging point provider to an e-roaming platform (S2; S2*) and / or to several other e-mobility providers (S2; S2*) that are connected to the own e-mobility provider via a direct connection, wherein the e-roaming platform selects an e-mobility provider from the e-mobility providers connected to it for the charging station depending on at least one selection variable, wherein the at least one selection variable is in particular the charging price (S3; S3*), or wherein the own e-mobility provider selects an e-mobility provider from the other e-mobility providers connected to it via a direct connection for the charging station depending on at least one selection variable, wherein the at least one selection variable is in particular the charging price (S3; S3*), - Charging the electric vehicle at the charging station of the charging point provider based on the at least one selection variable by the selected e-mobility provider (S5; S5*). [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by : - Providing an e-mobility provider app (S1), wherein the e-mobility provider app is designed such that the charging station of the charging point provider can be selected by a separate e-mobility provider, using the e-mobility provider app (S1), with which the electric vehicle user has a contract for charging his electric vehicle at the charging station, - Selection of a charging station (S1) of a charging point provider using the e-mobility provider app by the electric vehicle user of the electric vehicle to be charged, and / or - Providing an e-mobility provider RFID card and an RFID card reader at the charging station of the charging point provider (S1*), - Selection of a charging station (S1*) of a charging point provider using the e-mobility provider RFID card by the electric vehicle user of the electric vehicle to be charged by reading or presenting the e-mobility provider RFID card to the RFID card reader. [3] Method according to claim 2, characterized by : - Transferring the charging request of the electric vehicle at the charging station of the charging point provider to the e-roaming platform (S2) or to the other e-mobility providers connected via a direct connection, by forwarding the charging request of the electric vehicle via the e-mobility provider app to the user's own e-mobility provider (S2) and, in the case of the e-roaming platform, also by transmitting the charging request from the user's own e-mobility provider to the e-roaming platform (S2), whereby the user's own e-mobility provider instructs the e-roaming platform to select an e-mobility provider depending on the at least one selection variable for the charging station, or where the own e-mobility provider itself selects a new e-mobility provider from the other e-mobility providers connected via direct connection depending on the at least one selection size for the charging station, where the e-mobility provider has a contract with the charging point provider to charge an electric vehicle at the charging station, Transferring the charging request to the charging point provider (S3) via the new, selected e-mobility provider, and concluding an ad-hoc contract between the new, selected e-mobility provider and the original, own e-mobility provider for the charging station of the charging point provider for charging the electric vehicle, - Confirmation of the charging request of the electric vehicle by the charging point provider using the new, selected e-mobility provider (S4), - Activation of the charging station by the charging point provider, and - Charging of the electric vehicle at the charging station by the new, selected e-mobility provider (S5). [4] Method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by : - Transferring the charging request of the electric vehicle at the charging station of the charging point provider to the e-roaming platform (S2) or to the other e-mobility providers connected via the respective direct connection, by forwarding the charging request of the electric vehicle via the e-mobility provider app to the user's own e-mobility provider (S2) and, in the case of an e-roaming platform, also by transmitting the charging request from the user's own e-mobility provider to the e-roaming platform (S2), whereby the user's own e-mobility provider instructs the e-roaming platform to select an e-mobility provider depending on the at least one selection variable for the charging station, or to select an e-mobility provider itself from the other e-mobility providers connected via a direct connection depending on the at least one selection variable for the charging station, where the e-mobility provider does not have a contract with the charging point provider to charge an electric vehicle at the charging station, whereby an ad-hoc contract is concluded between the user's own e-mobility provider and the charging point provider of the charging station for charging the electric vehicle of the electric vehicle user (S1), whereby in the case of the e-roaming platform, the user's own e-mobility provider also instructs the e-roaming platform to conclude the ad-hoc contract between it, its own e-mobility provider, and the charging point provider of the charging station for charging the electric vehicle of the electric vehicle user (S1), wherein the e-roaming platform selects an e-mobility provider from the e-mobility providers connected to it for the charging station depending on at least one selection variable, in particular a charging price (S3; S3*), or wherein the own e-mobility provider itself selects a new e-mobility provider from the other e-mobility providers connected via direct connection depending on the at least one selection variable for the charging station, Transferring the charging request from the e-roaming platform or the owner's own e-mobility provider to the charging point provider (S3) via the new, selected e-mobility provider, and concluding an ad-hoc contract between the new, selected e-mobility provider and the original, owner's own e-mobility provider for the charging station of the charging point provider for charging the electric vehicle, - Confirmation of the charging request of the electric vehicle by the charging point provider using the new, selected e-mobility provider (S4), - Activation of the charging station by the charging point provider (S5), and - Charging of the electric vehicle at the charging station by the new, selected e-mobility provider (S5). [5] Method according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized by : - Transferring the charging request of the electric vehicle at the charging station of the charging point provider to the e-roaming platform (S2*), by transmitting the charging request of the electric vehicle at the charging station of the charging point provider from the charging point provider to the e-roaming platform (S2*), whereby the e-roaming platform transmits the charging request combined with the data of the e-mobility provider's RFID card to e-mobility providers connected to it, preferably all e-mobility providers connected to it (S2*), including the own e-mobility provider's e-mobility provider's RFID card, whereby the own e-mobility provider has a contract with the charging point provider to charge an electric vehicle at the charging station, wherein the own e-mobility provider authorizes the charging process at the charging station of the charging point provider (S3*) and instructs the e-roaming platform to select the e-mobility provider based on the at least one selection variable (S3*), wherein the e-roaming platform selects an e-mobility provider from the e-mobility providers connected to it for the charging station depending on the at least one selection variable (S3*), - Transfer of the authorization for charging the electric vehicle at the charging station by the new, selected e-mobility provider (S4*) from the e-roaming platform to the charging point provider, - Confirmation of the charging request of the electric vehicle by the charging point provider via the new, selected e-mobility provider (S4*), whereby an ad-hoc contract is concluded between the selected e-mobility provider and the original, own e-mobility provider for the charging station of the charging point provider for charging the electric vehicle (S4*), - Activation of the charging station by the charging point provider (S5*), and - Charging of the electric vehicle at the charging station by the selected e-mobility provider (S5*). [6] Method according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized by : - Transferring the charging request of the electric vehicle at the charging station of the charging point provider to the e-roaming platform (S2*), by transmitting the charging request of the electric vehicle at the charging station of the charging point provider from the charging point provider to the e-roaming platform, whereby the e-roaming platform transmits the charging request combined with the data of the e-mobility provider RFID card to e-mobility providers connected to it, preferably all e-mobility providers connected to it, including the e-mobility provider's own e-mobility provider of the e-mobility provider RFID card, where the e-mobility provider does not have a contract with the charging point provider to charge an electric vehicle at the charging station, whereby the own e-mobility provider therefore also instructs the e-roaming platform to conclude an ad-hoc contract between itself, the own e-mobility provider, and the charging point provider of the charging station for charging the electric vehicle of the electric vehicle user, wherein the own e-mobility provider authorizes the charging process at the charging station of the charging point provider and instructs the e-roaming platform to select the e-mobility provider based on the at least one selection variable, wherein the e-roaming platform selects an e-mobility provider from the e-mobility providers connected to it for the charging station depending on the at least one selection variable, - Transfer of the authorization for charging the electric vehicle at the charging station by the new, selected e-mobility provider (S4*) from the e-roaming platform to the charging point provider, - Confirmation of the charging request of the electric vehicle by the charging point provider via the new, selected e-mobility provider, whereby an ad-hoc contract is concluded between the new, selected e-mobility provider and the original, own e-mobility provider for the charging station of the charging point provider for charging the electric vehicle - Activation of the charging station by the charging point provider (S5*), and - Charging of the electric vehicle at the charging station by the selected e-mobility provider (S5*). [7] Method according to one of claims 4 to 6 characterized by that the ad-hoc contract between the user's own e-mobility provider and the charging point provider of the charging station for charging the electric vehicle of the electric vehicle user contains an indirect contract in that the ad-hoc contract is concluded indirectly by involving another e-mobility provider, whereby the user's own e-mobility provider concludes the ad-hoc contract with another e-mobility provider, which in turn has a regular contract with the charging point provider. [8] A method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the method further comprises the steps of: - Termination of the charging process of the electric vehicle at the charging station by means of the selected e-mobility provider (S6; S6*) and, in the case of the e-roaming platform, also sending at least all billing-relevant data by the charging point provider to the e-roaming platform (S7; S7*), - Billing of the charging point provider for the charging process at the charging station with the selected e-mobility provider (S8; S8*), - Billing of the charging process by the selected e-mobility provider with the original, own e-mobility provider (S9; S9*), and - Billing the charging process of the own e-mobility provider to the electric vehicle user (S10; S10*). [9] Method according to claim 8, characterized bythat the step of billing the charging process by the selected e-mobility provider with the original, own e-mobility provider (S9; S9*) includes the step that the selected e-mobility provider receives at least all billing-relevant data concerning the original, own mobility provider via the e-roaming platform. [10] Method according to claim 7, 8 or 9, characterized by that if the charging price, as at least one selection variable of the new, selected e-mobility provider, is higher than the charging price of the own e-mobility provider, then in the step of billing the charging process of the own e-mobility provider with the electric vehicle user (S10; S10*), the own e-mobility provider bills the electric vehicle user (S10; S10*) with the then lower charging price of the own e-mobility provider instead of the higher charging price of the new, selected e-mobility provider. [11] Method according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized by that the at least one selection variable is the charging price, the charging duration and / or the charging energy, wherein the e-roaming platform selects the e-mobility provider for the charging process at the charging station of the charging point provider depending on the at least one selection variable. [12] Method according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by that the step whereby the e-roaming platform selects an e-mobility provider from the e-mobility providers connected to it for the charging station depending on the at least one selection variable (S3; S3*), comprises the additional step of informing the own e-mobility provider by the e-roaming platform about the at least one selection variable, in particular lower charging price, of the new, selected e-mobility provider, - and preferably also comprises the step of confirming the at least one selection variable, in particular the lower charging price, of the new, selected e-mobility provider to the e-roaming platform by the own e-mobility provider. [13] Method according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized by that the method comprises the step of confirmation by the electric vehicle user that the electric vehicle is to be charged at the charging station by the new, selected e-mobility provider on the basis of the at least one selection variable, in particular the lower charging price, wherein this step takes place in particular before the step of charging the electric vehicle at the charging station. [14] Method according to one of claims 1 to 13 characterized by that the method comprises the step - Adding a price surcharge to the charging price of the new, selected e-mobility provider by the user's own e-mobility provider, whereby the sum of the charging price of the selected e-mobility provider and the price surcharge is less than the charging price of the user's own e-mobility provider with which the electric vehicle user has a contract for charging the electric vehicle. [15] System for charging an electric vehicle, in particular with the method according to one of claims 1 to 14, the system comprising: - a charging point provider (7) with a charging station (8) for charging an electric vehicle (9) of an electric vehicle user (1), - a plurality of e-mobility providers (3, 5, 6) for charging electric vehicles at the charging station (8) of the charging point provider (7), including a user's own e-mobility provider (3) with which the electric vehicle user (1) has a contract for charging his electric vehicle (9), wherein the user's own e-mobility provider (3) is connected to the other e-mobility providers (5, 6) via an e-roaming platform (7) and / or via a direct connection, wherein an e-mobility provider for charging the electric vehicle (9) can be selected from the plurality of e-mobility providers (3, 5, 6) based on at least one selection variable by the e-roaming platform (7) or the user's own e-mobility provider.

Images