The EU Data Act in practice: What’s next for devices, apps, and users

On September 12, 2025, the EU Data Act will become fully applicable across the EU. In our first blog we explained what the regulation is and why it matters for energy devices.

This time, we’re looking ahead. What will actually change once the law takes effect? How will manufacturers, energy apps and aggregators, and end users experience the shift toward open energy data?

What changes for device manufacturers

For companies building EVs, EV chargers, batteries, and solar inverters, the most immediate impacts are clear:

• ​​Device data must be made available to the end user. Every manufacturer must provide data in machine-readable formats and implement user-consent flows. Clear documentation and strong security move from “nice to have” to baseline. This foundation of data access is also what makes richer services like device control and optimization possible.
• Compatibility becomes a key buying factor. Hardware still matters, but user choice will increasingly depend on whether devices connect seamlessly to platforms and apps. For example, an EV charger that can be controlled through an energy app to unlock a cheaper charging tariff will be far more attractive than one locked in a closed ecosystem.
• Non-compliance brings risk. Beyond fines, manufacturers that don’t prioritize interoperability won’t show up in energy apps or utility programs, which means lower visibility, weaker demand, and slower sales.

Speed will matter. In banking, the institutions that embraced APIs early became the default partners for fintechs. In energy, manufacturers that move first on high-quality interfaces will give customers freedom of choice and ultimately win market share.

What changes for energy apps and aggregators

Energy apps and aggregators that connect devices and services will also feel the shift.

• Integration will accelerate. As devices become more accessible, energy apps and aggregators can expand their coverage and deliver more value to users..
• Ecosystems will grow stronger. Services that connect the widest range of devices, without compromising on quality, will be most attractive to users and energy companies.
• Trust and transparency will matter most. Apps that handle user consent and data flows clearly and responsibly will win loyalty. The lesson from Open Banking is clear: people will use third-party services if they feel secure and in control.
• Innovation will follow. Just as Open Banking gave rise to Plaid and Tink, energy could see new entrants focused on smarter charging, seamless switching, and better optimization for end-users.

What changes for end users

Perhaps the most important perspective is that of the end user. The Data Act was written with them in mind:

• Freedom to connect. EV drivers will expect to connect their charger or EV to the retailer or app that offers the best price or experience, without delays or lock-in.
• One app to control it all. Controlling all the loads in your home through one app, from EV to heating to storage, will become the new expectation.
• More control, more trust. Transparency and user choice will empower consumers to decide not just who sees their data, but also how and when their devices are used.

Imagine your EV charging automatically shifts to the cheapest hours every night. Or your home battery charges when rooftop solar is peaking and discharges when grid prices spike. That level of optimization, regardless of who manufactured the device, is what the Data Act makes possible.

This shift will also accelerate electrification. Better user experiences and bigger savings will make EVs and home batteries more attractive purchases.

Energy devices are no longer just hardware. They are entry points into digital ecosystems.

The hard part: Interoperability

Of course, this isn’t simple. Energy devices are diverse, standards are fragmented and scaling interfaces across thousands of models is complex.

That’s where much of the industry challenge lies. It’s one thing to comply with the regulation. It’s another to deliver real interoperability across the ecosystem.

This is the complexity Enode works on every day: connecting EVs, EV chargers, batteries, HVAC and solar inverters into one unified ecosystem so platforms and users can unlock value without friction.

Market dynamics to watch

As the Data Act takes effect, a few dynamics will be worth watching:

• First movers vs. laggards. Early adopters will set benchmarks and shape user expectations.
• Integration readiness as a dealbreaker. Energy apps and retailers will prioritize devices that are easy to onboard.
• End-user expectations will quickly adapt. Once consumers experience seamless control and optimization, anything less will feel outdated. The leaders who deliver first will win market share.
• New entrants. Just as fintech saw a wave of API-first companies, expect startups to emerge around portability, switching, and optimization.
• Electrification accelerates. Better user experiences and bigger savings will make energy devices more attractive purchases, speeding up adoption across Europe.

Looking ahead

The EU Data Act is a milestone, but it’s also just the beginning. The coming months will show which companies treat it as a compliance task, and which see it as an opportunity to innovate.

In our final blog in this series, we’ll share a practical guide for manufacturers: how to go beyond compliance and thrive in the age of the Data Act.