As we watch the expansion of electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure and growing EV sales, organizations worldwide are grappling with how to address the challenges that come with this electrification boom. One thing is certain: the demand for EV chargers is here to stay, and it’s only going to increase. When Fraser Health approached us for insights, we were thrilled to collaborate on a strategy to ensure that their hospitals would be equipped with reliable EV charging services for years to come.

Over the course of six months, we co-designed a resilient approach to EV charging services, working closely with both Fraser Health and the Provincial Health Services Authority. Our shared goal? To ensure that healthcare facilities across their network have reliable, scalable EV charging solutions that can withstand the pressures of future demand.

Resilience in Service: A Multi-Layered Approach

At Roughly, creating the best service for people is at the core of everything we do—after all, user-centered design is what we live and breathe. But delivering great service is only part of the equation; the business side of the system design is equally important. So, how do you create a service that not only meets the needs of today but is also resilient enough to last well into the future?

Fraser Health already had a clear vision of their business approach, and we were excited to dive into the service design process with them. Our focus was on building redundancies into every layer—whether in EV charging software, hardware, or the installation and maintenance teams. We wanted to ensure that if any element of the system failed to deliver the expected quality of service, there would be backup plans or fallback options ready to go. This redundancy planning is what builds resilience into the entire system.

Technology-Led Solutions: Planning for Tomorrow’s EV Landscape

EV charging technology is constantly evolving, and there are plenty of options to choose from: networked chargers, standalone systems, “dumb” chargers, Level 1 plug-in chargers, DC fast chargers, and more. Our technology consulting focused on selecting the right combination of hardware and software solutions that would deliver long-lasting, high-quality service.

One of the biggest challenges? Thinking ahead 5 to 10 years. Together with Fraser Health, we tackled questions like: How will the EV landscape change? How can we create a strategy that’s both scalable and cost-effective? We also examined key considerations such as automation, energy management, service alerts, and revenue collection. Every detail required careful planning and insight to ensure the solution would not just survive but thrive in the long run.

The Power of a Software-Led Approach

After thorough research and planning, we landed on a software-led solution. The heart of this strategy was a centralized EV charging management platform that would streamline operations and integrate key automations to ensure the system’s reliability. Importantly, this software needed to be a standalone system controlled by the health authorities, with the ability to connect to open-standard EV chargers. This way, they wouldn’t be locked into proprietary hardware, avoiding the risk of stranded assets in the future.

This strategic, tech-driven approach laid the foundation for the digital services and product blueprint that would guide Fraser Health and Provincial Health Service Authorities through their EV infrastructure deployment in the coming year

We’re excited to see how this forward-thinking EV strategy will unfold and proud to have been part of designing a system that not only serves the present but is ready for the future. Stay tuned for what’s next!