GIREVE Hub Integration Guide: Connect Your Charging Network to Europe

GIREVE is the leading EV charging roaming platform in Europe, connecting over 400 Charge Point Operators (CPOs) and e-Mobility Service Providers (eMSPs) across 30+ countries. Founded in 2013 and based in France, GIREVE operates as a neutral hub that enables interoperability between charging networks — allowing EV drivers to charge on any connected network with a single subscription or payment method.

For any company operating or providing access to EV chargers in Europe, connecting to GIREVE is one of the most effective ways to reach millions of EV drivers and expand network coverage without building new infrastructure.

How GIREVE Works

GIREVE operates as a B2B roaming hub, sitting between CPOs and eMSPs:

1. CPOs connect to GIREVE and publish their charger locations, availability, pricing, and capabilities
2. eMSPs connect to GIREVE and receive this aggregated data to display in their driver apps
3. When a driver on eMSP-A wants to use a charger operated by CPO-B, GIREVE routes the authorization request between them
4. After charging, GIREVE handles the CDR (Charge Detail Record) exchange for billing and settlement

The Hub Model vs Direct Connections

Without a hub, a CPO wanting to enable roaming with 50 eMSPs would need 50 separate integrations. A hub reduces this to a single integration:

This is why roaming hubs have become the standard architecture in European EV charging.

OCPI Integration Requirements

GIREVE uses OCPI (Open Charge Point Interface) as its primary integration protocol. Specifically, GIREVE supports OCPI 2.1.1 and OCPI 2.2.1.

Required OCPI Modules

To connect with GIREVE, you must implement specific OCPI modules depending on your role:

For CPOs:

For eMSPs:

Technical Requirements

• REST API: OCPI is a REST-based protocol using JSON over HTTPS
• Authentication: Token-based authentication (OCPI credentials exchange)
• TLS: All connections must use TLS 1.2 or higher
• Availability: Your OCPI endpoints must maintain 99.5%+ uptime
• Response Time: API responses should be under 5 seconds (GIREVE monitors this)
• Data Quality: Location data must be accurate and regularly updated

Connection Process

Step 1: Registration

Contact GIREVE to initiate the partnership process. You will need to provide:

• Company legal information
• Technical contact details
• Your role (CPO, eMSP, or both)
• Network size and geographic coverage
• Target OCPI version (2.1.1 or 2.2.1)

Step 2: Technical Integration

GIREVE provides access to their IOP (Interoperability Platform), which includes:

• A staging environment for development and testing
• Technical documentation and OCPI implementation guides
• API endpoints for credential exchange and module registration
• Test tools for validating your OCPI implementation

Step 3: Certification

Before going live, GIREVE requires passing their certification process:

• Protocol compliance: Your OCPI implementation must pass GIREVE's automated test suite
• Data quality: Location data accuracy is validated (coordinates, addresses, connector types)
• Operational readiness: Uptime, response time, and error rate thresholds must be met
• Business validation: Tariff structures and CDR formats are reviewed

Step 4: Go Live

Once certified, your connection is activated in production:

• CPOs: Your chargers become visible to all connected eMSPs
• eMSPs: You gain access to charger data from all connected CPOs
• GIREVE monitors the connection and alerts on any issues

Step 5: Ongoing Operations

After going live, you must maintain:

• Real-time data synchronization (location updates, availability changes)
• Timely CDR processing (typically within 24 hours of session completion)
• Response to GIREVE operational alerts and maintenance windows
• OCPI version upgrades when announced

Benefits of Connecting to GIREVE

For CPOs

• Increased utilization: Access to millions of EV drivers from 400+ eMSPs
• Revenue growth: Roaming transactions generate additional revenue without marketing spend
• European coverage: Visibility across 30+ European countries
• Simplified billing: GIREVE handles financial settlement with all roaming partners
• Regulatory compliance: AFIR (Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation) encourages roaming

For eMSPs

• Network expansion: Offer your drivers access to 600,000+ charge points across Europe
• Single integration: One connection replaces hundreds of direct CPO integrations
• Real-time data: Live availability, pricing, and session monitoring
• Billing automation: CDR exchange and settlement handled by the platform
• Competitive advantage: Comprehensive charging coverage attracts more subscribers

Roaming Hub Comparison

GIREVE is one of several roaming hubs operating in Europe. Each has different strengths:

Choosing a Roaming Hub

Many companies connect to multiple hubs to maximize coverage. Consider:

• Geography: Choose the hub strongest in your target markets
• Protocol: If you already have OCPI implemented, GIREVE and e-clearing.net are natural fits
• Plug & Charge: If ISO 15118 Plug & Charge is a priority, Hubject currently leads with its PKI infrastructure
• Partners: Check which hub your key partners are already connected to
• Cost: Compare per-transaction fees and any fixed membership costs

Common Integration Challenges

Data Quality Issues

The most frequent reason for failed GIREVE certification is poor location data:

• GPS coordinates that do not match the actual charger location
• Missing or incorrect connector type information
• Outdated availability data (chargers shown as available when offline)
• Incomplete address information

Tariff Complexity

European EV charging tariffs are complex, varying by time of day, energy consumed, charging duration, and subscription status. Your OCPI tariff module must accurately represent these structures.

CDR Reconciliation

Discrepancies between CPO and eMSP CDR records cause billing disputes. Common causes include:

• Time zone mismatches in session timestamps
• Rounding differences in energy measurements
• Missing or delayed CDR delivery
• Inconsistent tariff application

Performance Under Load

GIREVE sends location and session updates at high frequency. Your OCPI endpoints must handle sustained traffic without degradation — particularly the Locations and Sessions modules during peak hours.

Testing Your GIREVE Integration

GIREVE integration involves complex multi-party flows that are difficult to test without a controlled environment. Issues discovered during certification can delay your go-live by weeks or months.

OCPPLab helps you prepare for GIREVE integration by letting you:

• Simulate OCPI endpoints: Test your CPO or eMSP implementation against realistic OCPI traffic patterns
• Validate data quality: Generate and verify location data, tariff structures, and CDR formats before submitting to GIREVE
• Test end-to-end flows: Simulate a complete roaming transaction from eMSP authorization through CPO charging session to CDR settlement
• Load test OCPI modules: Verify your endpoints handle the traffic volume GIREVE will generate
• Debug protocol issues: Inspect every OCPI request and response with full payload logging
• Test OCPP + OCPI together: Validate that your CSMS correctly translates between OCPP charger communication and OCPI roaming data

Organizations that pre-validate their OCPI implementation using OCPPLab typically pass GIREVE certification on the first attempt, avoiding costly delays.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does GIREVE integration take?

The typical timeline is 3-6 months from initial contact to production. Technical integration takes 4-8 weeks, certification 2-4 weeks, and business/legal setup runs in parallel.

How much does GIREVE connection cost?

GIREVE charges a per-transaction fee for roaming sessions. The exact pricing depends on your volume and is negotiated during the partnership setup. There may also be an annual platform fee.

Can I connect to GIREVE and Hubject simultaneously?

Yes. Many CPOs and eMSPs connect to multiple hubs. Your OCPI implementation serves GIREVE, and a separate OICP (or OCPI adapter) integration serves Hubject. Be aware of potential duplicate roaming sessions if a partner is on both hubs.

Do I need OCPI 2.2.1 or is 2.1.1 sufficient?

GIREVE supports both versions. OCPI 2.1.1 covers all core roaming functionality and is currently the most widely deployed. OCPI 2.2.1 adds hub-specific features and improved tariff handling. GIREVE may eventually require 2.2.1, so implementing it from the start is advisable.

Is GIREVE only for European networks?

GIREVE's primary coverage is Europe, but they are expanding internationally. If your network operates outside Europe, check with GIREVE about coverage in your region. For Asia-Pacific or North American roaming, other platforms may provide better coverage.

What is the difference between GIREVE and eMI3?

eMI3 (eMobility ICT Interoperability Innovation) defines data standards and identifiers (like the eMI3 ID format for EVSEs and tokens). GIREVE uses eMI3 standards within its platform. They are complementary rather than competing — eMI3 defines the data format, GIREVE provides the exchange platform.