Information
Definition
A Charge Point Operator (CPO) is the organisation responsible for operating one or more EV charge points. Under UK public charging regulation, the CPO is the charge point owner or the person operating it on the owner's behalf. Depending on the commercial arrangement, the CPO may manage availability, maintenance, pricing, payments, roaming, data, customer support and backend operation directly or through contracted service providers.
Why it matters
CPO responsibility is important because the operator sits at the centre of public charging delivery and ongoing service performance. In the UK, CPOs also carry specific obligations under the Public Charge Point Regulations 2023, making the distinction between charger owner, installer, site host and operator important when assessing compliance, contracts and funding models.
References
Standards and regulations
Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation
The Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) sets requirements for public alternative fuels infrastructure, including EV charging access, consumer information, payment and infrastructure deployment. For UK audiences, it should be read with both the EU AFIR framework and the UK Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulations that still influence public charging terminology.
Public Charge Point Regulations 2023
The Public Charge Point Regulations 2023 are UK regulations for public EV charge points covering contactless payment, payment roaming, price transparency, open data, helplines and rapid charge point reliability. They apply to relevant public charging provision across the UK.