Cellular connectivity will secure the future of EV charging

Why IoT Connectivity Is the Future of EV Charging

As electric vehicles (EVs) shift into the mainstream, the focus is no longer just on the number of charging stations. The future lies in building smart, scalable, and secure EV charging infrastructure — and it all starts with connectivity.

But does EV charging need an internet connection? The answer is a resounding yes, and not just any connection, but one powered by robust IoT connectivity.

The Role of IoT in EV Charging

Every EV charging session generates a vast amount of data: energy consumption, timestamps, user authentication, payment info, and more. This data must be collected and transmitted securely, not only for billing and user services but also for network optimization and predictive maintenance.

As smart charging evolves, chargers are expected to coordinate with vehicles and utilities to balance grid demand, shift loads during peak hours, and avoid infrastructure strain. These complex tasks depend entirely on reliable, real-time data exchange, all made possible through IoT.

Why Connectivity Matters

EV chargers must stay constantly connected to:

• Communicate with vehicles and drivers

• Process real-time payments

• Send diagnostics and status updates

• Integrate with cloud platforms and energy providers

There are three main types of connectivity for chargepoints:

• Wired (Ethernet) – Reliable but costly and inflexible

• Wi-Fi – Easier to deploy but prone to interference and security issues

• Cellular IoT – The ideal balance of reliability, security, and scalability

Why Cellular Connectivity Is the Right Choice

1. Rapid Deployment

With mobile networks already in place, cellular-enabled chargers can be deployed quickly without additional cabling. IoT SIM or eSIM support means chargers connect directly to the network wherever they’re located, even in remote or urban areas.

2. Flexibility & Scalability

Cellular IoT includes a range of technologies: 4G and 5G for high-speed data and LPWAN for low-power use cases. Even underground garages or rural sites can be served through solutions like femtocells and picocells.

eSIM technology enables remote provisioning and carrier switching, vital for long-term cost control and adaptability.

3. Reliability

Cellular IoT networks are built for uptime, featuring failovers, redundancy, and now, with 5G, innovations like network slicing. These features deliver consistent performance, essential for real-time tasks like dynamic load management or billing.

4. Security

Having the right security solution is foundational for EV infrastructure. Cellular IoT offers encrypted, SIM-based authentication and can be enhanced with private APNs and secure VPNs. This ensures that every data packet from charger to cloud is protected.

Building a Smarter Charging Network

Charging infrastructure isn’t just about hardware — it's about connectivity, data, and interoperability. Companies like Pelion are already working with Toshiba and the Data Communications Company (DCC) to address these challenges head-on.

Pelion’s work with DCC, including equipping Vestel chargepoints with secure cellular connectivity, is setting the stage for a scalable, cloud-connected EV charging ecosystem in the UK and beyond.

The Road Ahead

To meet the demands of a growing EV market, chargepoints must be:

• Easy to deploy

• Seamlessly cloud-connected

• Highly secure

• Capable of real-time communication and control

Cellular IoT connectivity checks all these boxes. It's clear that cellular IoT will be essential to the future of EV charging, not only to support growth but to ensure smart features, uptime, and data security are never compromised.

Ready to future-proof your EV charging network? 

Explore how cellular connectivity can make your deployment smarter, faster, and more secure.