Prago Achieves 99.9% Availability Rate for EV Chargers Nationwide

In a significant milestone for electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, Prago Inc., based in Shinagawa, Tokyo, has declared that it has reached a remarkable "availability rate of 99.9%" for its network of EV chargers as of the end of May 2025. This achievement is part of Prago's ongoing commitment to enhancing the reliability and quality of EV charging infrastructure, with an ambitious goal of achieving a 99.99% availability rate in the future.

Understanding Availability Rate

The term 'availability rate' refers to the percentage of time that charging stations are in a state conducive for users to charge their vehicles and complete transactions. Just like essential utilities such as water and electricity, EV chargers must be perpetually operational to function as reliable societal infrastructure. Despite the growing adoption of EVs, a notable number of chargers remain out of order, adversely impacting user experience. This issue isn’t confined to Japan; a study by ChargerHelp published in June 2024 highlighted that among approximately 20,000 fast chargers in the United States, a mere 73.7% were actually usable, meaning about 26% were deemed 'unavailable' for use (The Verge, June 2024). Moreover, Harvard University's research analyzed about one million reviews using AI and found an average availability rate of 78%, indicating that more than one in five chargers in the country was malfunctioning or inaccessible.

The existence of non-functional chargers represents a structural challenge that acts as a bottleneck in the widespread adoption of EVs. Addressing this societal issue head-on, Prago is dedicated to ensuring that reliable EV charging becomes a standard expectation for all users.

Infrastructure and Technology Supporting 99.9% Availability

Prago maintains its impressive 99.9% availability through a cohesive structure that integrates software, hardware, and operations. This achievement is supported by a dedicated team responsible for daily operational monitoring and a rich accumulation of knowledge flows aimed at facilitating rapid recovery from disruptions. Such measures minimize the need for on-site interventions, enabling stable operations.

Prago's common infrastructure for building EV charging services leverages its own technology and operational expertise. The infrastructure allows partners, including automotive OEMs, electricity providers, and gas station operators, to rapidly establish reliable EV charging services. This common platform streamlines essential functions such as reservations, billing, monitoring, and control into a single system, ensuring end-to-end operation.

Prago's own e-mobility service provider (eMSP) business employs this infrastructure effectively to maintain the 99.9% availability rate through its EV charging app, titled 'My Prago.' For companies seeking to enter the CPO business, leveraging this proven common platform presents a significant advantage, enabling scalable growth from the outset.

Additionally, Prago has pioneered the adoption of the OCPI (Open Charge Point Interface) protocol, a standard for interoperability among EV charging services, becoming the only Japanese company to participate as a full contributor in the European standardization organization EV Roaming Foundation since 2022. By creating a flexible interconnected infrastructure, Prago is facilitating the establishment of international standards alongside its own and other companies' interconnectivity.

Future Outlook

Prago envisions itself as an accelerant for the digital car life era, striving to create a more integrated future of mobility and energy. To achieve this vision, the company offers a digital car life platform that incorporates hardware, IoT, software, and design capabilities to its partner companies, fostering new consumer behaviors, customer experiences, and business opportunities.

Focusing on hassle-free usability, Prago is committed to enhancing user experience (UX) as well. The company seeks to build upon its current 99.9% availability rate by targeting higher precision standards, such as a 99.99% rate, thereby contributing to the evolution of EV infrastructure and establishing new benchmarks for quality.

In conclusion, Prago's strategic initiatives showcase its dedication to overcoming infrastructure challenges and paving the way for a sustainable EV future. Through consistent innovation and partnership development, Prago aims to set new standards in the EV charging landscape and enhance the user experience into the next generation.