With the gradual electrification of fleets and the growing popularity of electric vehicles, companies need to rethink the way they parking management. Installing charging stations is one thing. Intelligent, compliant access management is quite another. User control, prioritization, security, supervision: all essential parameters to avoid saturation, guarantee reliable service, and comply with regulations such as the LOM law. This article guides you through the best practices and existing solutions for controlling access to your charging stations and turning it into a performance driver.
Why managing access to charging stations is a key issue
With the increasing number of electric vehicles on the road, efficient management of access to charging stations is essential to ensure smooth, equitable use of the infrastructure.
Avoid saturation and maximize terminal utilization
When several employees, visitors or service providers share the same parking lot, access to charging points can quickly become a point of tension. Without a regulation system, some vehicles monopolize charging points for hours on end, to the detriment of other users. A blocked or unused charging point can generate :
- Queues, frustrating employees.
- Productivity losses, especially for service vehicles.
- Under-utilization of bollards, reducing return on investment.
Implementing an access management system allows you to streamline usage and prioritize strategic vehicles, according to rules defined by the company.
Guaranteeing safety and regulatory compliance
Company parking lots are more than just parking spaces: they are also technical areas with major electrical installations. Access management is therefore also a question of security. By restricting access to authorized persons using RFID badges, mobile applications or company cards, you can avoid :
- Abusive or fraudulent use.
- Accidental overloads of the electrical network.
- Conflicts of use in the event of insufficient bollards.
At the same time, regulatory requirements - such as those of the LOM law or the Building Code - require companies to provide equitable and secure access to recharging, particularly for buildings with more than 20 spaces. Supervising access is therefore a lever for compliance.
{{cta-block}}
What are the most effective solutions for managing access to bollards in company parking lots?
To ensure optimum and equitable use of charging infrastructures, it is essential to set up an access management system tailored to the needs of your site.
Identification systems: RFID badges, cards, mobile applications
User identification is the first pillar of effective access management. Several technologies can be deployed, alone or in combination, depending on the level of security and flexibility required:
- RFID badges: used as personal access cards, they enable rapid unlocking of the kiosk while recording the user and session.
- Mobile applications: increasingly widespread, they offer a fluid, connected experience. Users can reserve a charging station, check their charging history or receive notifications.
- Company or mobility cards (such as Bump Pass): these interoperable solutions also enable centralized billing management.
➡️ Key benefit: these systems make it possible to know who is recharging, when, where and how much, which is essential for monitoring consumption and accurate invoicing where necessary.
Reservation of slots and priority access
To avoid bottlenecks and guarantee access to those who really need it (service vehicles, logistics rounds, etc.), some supervision platforms allow you to set up a reservation system with defined time slots.
- Reserved slots for priority users.
- Limited time slots to avoid blocking terminals all day long.
- Configurable priority rules (service vehicles before personal vehicles, for example).
➡️ Result: a better distribution of resources, less tension between users and an increase in the rate of terminal use.
Integration with a centralized supervision system
A good access management system never works alone: it must be integrated into an IRVE supervision platform, capable of :
- Centralize load and usage data,
- Provide detailed reports by user, service or department,
- Manage access rights remotely, modify usage rules, and intervene in the event of anomalies.
💡 That's exactly what Bump offers with its supervision and access management solution: a single portal to manage all your kiosks - whether in the company or at employees' homes - with a high level of personalization.
Securing access: a regulatory and operational challenge
As well as being practical, access management is also a regulatory and security imperative for companies.
Compliance with legal obligations (LOM Act, Building Code)
Since the implementation of the Loi d'Orientation des Mobilités (LOM), companies have been required to provide or install charging stations in their parking lots if they exceed certain space thresholds. But beyond installation, the management of the service rendered is a key factor in compliance:
- Ensure that equipped parking spaces are accessible to electric vehicle users.
- Guarantee safe, controlled use, to prevent misuse and non-compliance.
- Enable tracking of energy consumption, essential for all regulatory declarations and energy taxation (such as NEAs).
➡️ Well-thought-out access management can therefore help you to comply with legal requirements, while avoiding penalties or inconsistencies in declarations.
Electrical and data security
The risk of an open-access terminal is also the impossibility of controlling who connects to it, and under what conditions. This poses two major problems:
- Electrical safety: a poorly maintained vehicle or damaged cable can cause an overload or short-circuit. Restricting access to identified users reduces this risk.
- Data security: with the growing use of connected charging stations, charging sessions generate sensitive data (user identity, duration, consumption, location, etc.). Access management protects this data through secure authentication.
💡 The supervision offered by Bump includes advanced management of access rights, a complete log of connections and end-to-end data encryption. Essential insurance for companies concerned about their cybersecurity.
{{cta-block}}
Need to electrify your parking lots?
Discover our solutions for real estate companies!