SMART/LAB extends compatibility with terminals from Hectronic and Scheidt & Bachmann
Aachen, 01.07.2025 - smartlab Innovationsgesellschaft mbH (Smartlab) has realised the technical connection of its payment terminal solutions to the Smartlab backend in close cooperation with Scheidt & Bachmann GmbH and Hectronic GmbH. This means that both SIQMA PowerPay (Scheidt & Bachmann) and HecPay (Hectronic) are now fully compatible with Smartlab's systems.
The interface, which is based on the open OCPI protocol, will enable operators from the ladenetz.de and ladebusiness networks to choose freely between terminals from Scheidt & Bachmann, Hectronic or Smartlab's own solution. Existing payment terminals from both manufacturers can also be easily integrated.
"Our partners want to remain flexible - whether for new projects or when connecting existing infrastructure. With the new interface, we are meeting this constant demand and at the same time offering a stable and secure solution for the integration of third-party terminals," says Ivo Althaus, Product Manager at Smartlab.
The demand for a simple and spontaneous payment option, especially by credit card directly at the charging station, is growing continuously. This form of payment significantly increases user-friendliness, especially for occasional users who want to charge without an app or contract. Charging processes are billed directly via the respective payment service providers of Scheidt & Bachmann or Hectronic - Smartlab ensures a seamless connection to the company's own backend system in the background.
Project with Stadtwerke Düsseldorf
The joint solution from smartlab and Scheidt & Bachmann has already been installed in the multi-storey car park at Carlsplatz in Düsseldorf, where the SIQMA PowerPay is connected to 34 AC charging points via smartlab. The special added value: retrofitting AC charging points with a payment terminal is neither economically nor technically feasible. The SIQMA PowerPay is therefore the ideal choice for retrofitting the 68 charging points on the car park roof at Carlsplatz with ad-hoc payment in compliance with calibration law, cost-effectively and efficiently, giving customers the opportunity to pay for their charging above the rooftops of Düsseldorf using credit or debit cards as well as mobile payment.
A key aim of this collaboration is therefore to optimise the customer experience. Electric car drivers benefit from secure and fast card payment options, paperless receipt archiving via e-receipt and an overall improved user experience. The combination of Scheidt & Bachmann's decades of expertise in payment and outdoor hardware with Smartlab's advanced technologies creates a solution that is precisely tailored to the needs of users.
"This partnership impressively demonstrates our credo: 'Expertise multiplies when shared'," explains Jörg M. Heilingbrunner, Managing Director at Scheidt & Bachmann. "By combining our expertise and resources, we develop innovative solutions that advance the entire market. This synergetic collaboration allows us to actively master the challenges of electromobility while setting new standards for quality and user-friendliness."
Project with Albwerke - Merklingen railway station
The joint solution from Smartlab and Hectronic has been in use at one of the world's largest charging parks since October 2023. Hectronic's HecPay payment terminals are connected to 250 charging points at the park-and-ride site via Smartlab. This enables legally compliant payment with giro, debit and credit cards as well as mobile open payment via Apple Pay and Google Wallet. The hardware integrates seamlessly into the charging infrastructure, offers open interfaces to the Smartlab backend and fulfils all the requirements of the Charging Point Ordinance.
A key objective was to implement complex requirements such as billing in compliance with calibration law, ad hoc payment, roaming and PIN pad verification in a record-breaking construction time (20 months). The result: a reliable, user-friendly and legally compliant charging infrastructure that strengthens the acceptance of electromobility.
Sven Stottmeier, Director of E-Mobility at Hectronic, describes the project aptly: "The mobility transition can only succeed if there is a reliable charging infrastructure. Transparency in electricity metering and billing creates trust on the consumer side, while the ease of use of the individual charging points promotes acceptance. In Merklingen, we have succeeded in doing just that with a modern charging setup."
About SMART/LAB Innovationsgesellschaft mbH
SMART/LAB Innovationsgesellschaft mbH is a joint venture of Novofleet Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH, Thüga Aktiengesellschaft, energie sxhwaben gmbh and BEB GmbH. Together, we develop innovative concepts in the fields of smart grids and e-mobility. With currently over 27,400 publicly accessible charging points from its own network in Germany and 430,000 Europe-wide charging points from roaming agreements, SMART/LAB has been the market leader in the field of public charging for many years now. As an IT service provider, we offer comprehensive products for the operation and billing of charging infrastructure as well as end user billing.
About Scheidt & Bachmann Energy Retail Solutions GmbH
Scheidt & Bachmann Energy Retail Solutions GmbH is a leading company in the field of system solutions for the energy retail market. As one of the divisions of the international company Scheidt & Bachmann, which has been a pioneer in the mobility sector for over 150 years, we focus on innovative and customer-centred approaches. Through the efficient use of state-of-the-art technologies, we are revolutionising the customer journey and continuously improving our services and products. Our vision is to create high-quality solutions that sustainably change the market and shape the future of individual mobility. Supported by around 3,500 employees worldwide and a network of 30 subsidiaries, we strive to rethink and optimise mobility every day. Scheidt & Bachmann stands for tradition, family-run continuity and a spirit of innovation and, in addition to energy retail solutions, also offers pioneering concepts in the areas of signalling technology, fare collection and parking.
About Hectronic GmbH
Are there customer-orientated payment solutions for charging stations that are both economical and flexible? Hectronic has an answer to this question. The medium-sized company with many years of experience in car park and petrol station management is now also developing payment and authorisation solutions for electromobility. In addition to high-quality outdoor payment terminals, Hectronic offers versatile cloud-based software solutions.
The integration of common payment options such as debit and credit cards as well as the integration of existing authorisation tools (e.g. employee ID cards, fleet cards) characterise Hectronic's solutions. This makes the charging infrastructure more user-friendly and eliminates payment hurdles - which is particularly interesting in view of the charging point ordinance and the EU AFIR regulation. With online payment processing, credit card routing, mobile payment, backend management and reliable hardware, Hectronic offers a complete package for all aspects of payment systems.
Press contact:
Ann Sarlette | E: presse@smartlab-gmbh.de