Do You Know Who's Really Manufacturing Your Commercial EV Chargers?

The electric vehicle charging industry is experiencing significant growth, with projections estimating a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 30.3% from 2025 to 2030. But, beneath the glossy marketing materials and sleek product designs lies a troubling reality--many charge point operators (CPOs) discover too late that they have no idea who actually manufactured their equipment.

The Hidden Web of White Labeling

Walk through any major charging conference or browse online marketplaces, and you'll encounter dozens of brands offering seemingly unique EV charging solutions. What you won't immediately see is that many of these "manufacturers" are simply resellers, distributors, or brands who've slapped their logo on equipment made by someone else entirely.

Same charger, different booth at ACT Expo 2025

This practice, known as white labeling, has become rampant in the commercial EV charging space. A single manufacturer in China might produce chargers that end up branded under 15 different company names across North America and Europe. Each layer in this chain adds their markup, creates their own warranty terms, and positions themselves as the "manufacturer" to unsuspecting customers.

The Real Cost of Separation

When you purchase through these intermediary layers, you're not just paying inflated prices—you're inheriting a host of operational challenges that can plague your charging business:

Markup Multiplication

Every middleman needs their cut. A charger that costs $8,000 from the actual manufacturer might reach you at $15,000 or more after passing through distributors, white-label partners, and resellers. These markups don't disappear after the initial purchase—they compound through replacement parts, service calls, and upgrades.

Warranty Nightmares

If your charger fails, who's responsible? The company whose logo is on the unit often points to their "manufacturing partner." That partner might redirect you to their supplier. Meanwhile, your charging stations sit offline and instead of earning revenue you spend your time navigating a maze of finger-pointing.

Parts and Service Delays

Need a replacement component? Without a direct manufacturer relationship, you're dependent on whatever inventory your reseller maintains. Critical repairs that could take days stretch into weeks as parts requests travel up and down the supply chain.

Technology Lock-in

Many white-label resellers customize firmware or use proprietary communication protocols. When you need updates, integrations, or modifications, you're trapped within their ecosystem, often paying premium prices for basic functionality.

Red Flags to Watch For

Several warning signs indicate you're dealing with a white-label operation rather than a true manufacturer:

Vague Manufacturing Details: Legitimate manufacturers proudly discuss their facilities, certifications, and production processes. White-label companies often provide fuzzy language about "manufacturing partners" or "global production networks."

Limited Technical Depth: Real manufacturers have engineering teams who can discuss technical details while resellers typically deflect these questions or provide generic marketing responses.

Inconsistent Branding: If you see the same charger design with multiple brand names at trade shows or online, you're likely looking at white-labeled products.

The Direct Manufacturer Advantage

Establishing relationships directly with actual manufacturers like EnergiSpot transforms your operational economics and long-term success:

Transparent Pricing: Skip the middleman markups and understand true product costs. This transparency extends to replacement parts, service components, and future product lines.

Technical Partnership: Direct access to engineering teams means faster problem resolution, custom modifications when needed, and input into future product development.

Supply Chain Control: When supply disruptions occur, direct manufacturer relationships ensure priority allocation of components and finished products.

Building for the Long Term

The EV charging industry is still in its relative infancy, but the patterns emerging now will shape the next decade of infrastructure development.  Make sure you know exactly who's behind the equipment keeping your business running. Those who prioritize convenience or familiar brand names over direct manufacturer access may find themselves trapped in expensive, inflexible relationships that undermine their business models as the market matures.

Charge point operators who establish direct manufacturer relationships today will enjoy competitive advantages that compound over time: lower operational costs, faster problem resolution, greater technical flexibility, and more predictable long-term economic. So, the next time a salesperson pitches you their "industry-leading" charging solution, ask the simple question: "Do you actually make your own chargers?" Their answer will tell you everything you need to know about whether you're buying from a manufacturer or just another middleman.