Success Story
Stadtwerke Heidelberg: How
e-mobility is transforming an entire region
e-mobility is transforming an entire region
Stadtwerke Heidelberg (public utilities of the city Heidelberg) is one of the most important employers in Heidelberg and also one of the largest purely municipal energy suppliers in Germany. Every day, Stadtwerke Heidelberg reliably supplies 200,000 people in Heidelberg and the surrounding region with electricity, gas, water, heat, and services related to energy and climate protection. It has also taken over financing and coordination tasks for the city of Heidelberg in the area of public transport and operates the swimming pools, mountain railways, and parking garages in Heidelberg.
Climate neutrality by 2030
The company's actions are shaped by its connection to the city and region. As the city's most important partner, Stadtwerke Heidelberg supports Heidelberg on its path to climate neutrality and has been implementing its clear plan for the energy transition since 2010: the Energy Concept 2030. Stadtwerke Heidelberg has already achieved many of the interim targets set out in this concept. It presents its progress in this area transparently in its annual business and sustainability reports.
Energy transition with a focus on charging infrastructure
A particular focus is on the energy transition: more specifically, electromobility and photovoltaics. Since 2011, the subsidiary Stadtwerke Heidelberg Energie GmbH has been continuously driving forward the expansion of the charging infrastructure. What began with a single charging station now comprises more than 400 charging points at over 100 locations (including private charging points). Modern software solutions play an important role here: thanks to the symbiotic cooperation with chargecloud, the company has successfully established and is gradually advancing electric mobility in the region.
The status quo before the collaboration
chargecloud as the enabler for growth
Since 2019, Stadtwerke Heidelberg and chargecloud have been working hand in hand to expand the charging infrastructure in the picturesque region along the Neckar (the river through Heidelberg). A rethink of the e-mobility plan was inevitable, as four different challenges emerged over time:
- Limited scalability: Operations began with 31 charging points, but the growing popularity of e-mobility and increasing demand meant that more were needed. However, the municipal utility company was unable to cope with this growth using its existing software landscape.
- Billing processes: The growing number of charging sessions in turn required a flexible, automated billing solution.
- Roaming & customer convenience: Growth also means further development – integration with external charging networks became increasingly important in order to provide access to more users.
- Individual tariff design: The demand for customer-friendly and dynamic pricing models increased.
Heidelberg's municipal utility company was searching for a powerful, scalable, and future-proof platform—and wanted it as a complete solution! With chargecloud, they found the right partner!
Efficient system migration
Communication as the key to change
Changing the charge point management system was a decisive step for Stadtwerke Heidelberg – accompanied by typical questions: Will there be downtime? How will customers react to the new system? But these concerns quickly dissipated. Thanks to structured onboarding and close communication with the chargecloud onboarding team, the transition to the chargecloud SaaS platform went almost seamlessly. Minor challenges at individual locations were quickly resolved through good cooperation.
Regular coordination meetings and a shared dashboard supported planning and enabled transparent communication.
product portfolio
E-mobility solutions for public utilities
In close cooperation, Stadtwerke Heidelberg and chargecloud have put together a tailor-made selection of modules and add-ons from the e-mobility ecosystem – with a clear goal: to optimally position the area for the energy transition in road traffic.
eRoaming
Expanding the charging network
Managed roaming enables customers of the public utility to access the charging infrastructure of other providers. Non-customers, in turn, can access the charging points of Stadtwerke Heidelberg via the eRoaming network. The result: a higher overall density of charging points in Heidelberg and the surrounding area for all e-mobility users.
Automated billing
Smart cost overview of charging sessions
Efficient billing and payment management not only creates transparency and individual pricing, but also makes everyday work easier for employees.
Successful model in action
Smart billing and high level of satisfaction
Since introducing chargecloud, the growth of e-mobility customers has been unstoppable. Over the past five years, the massive expansion of the charging infrastructure, the heidelberg EMOBIL app, and access to the eRoaming network have put Stadtwerke Heidelberg on the road to success—with significant growth in all key figures.
The new billing system for charging sessions has been particularly well accepted by customers, thanks in large part to its transparent pricing. Location-based pricing models now enable customized solutions for different customer groups – a decisive step in the further development of the charging infrastructure in Heidelberg and the surrounding area.
Milestones at a glance
Upward trend in e-mobility
Looking ahead
Shaping the future together
Partner Solution Management
Through partnerships with companies and shops, access to charging stations is also to be expanded in semi-public parking lots—for more charging options in everyday life.
Continuous expansion of the charging infrastructure
To meet the needs of the growing number of electric vehicle drivers, the charging network in Heidelberg is being continuously expanded, both in public and private areas.
chargecloud as a growth companion
chargecloud remains a central component for process automation and stable growth of the charging infrastructure. Its adaptability to market changes and the valuable exchange of knowledge within the community ensure long-term success.