What is OCPP, and why is it important for EV charging?

Why OCPP testing is essential for seamless EV charging and system integration.

OCPP, or Open Charge Point Protocol, is the global standard for communication.

It connects electric vehicle (EV) charging stations to backend management systems - often called Charge Point Management Systems (CPMS). Think of it as the universal "language" that allows these systems to interact smoothly.

This communication underpins essential functions like billing, remote monitoring, and app-based features, providing a smooth experience for both EV drivers and charging station operators. At its core, OCPP ensures interoperability, scalability, and security within the rapidly expanding EV charging landscape.

In this article, we’ll explore: 

• How OCPP works: Understanding the communication between charging points and backend systems.
• OCPP vs custom protocol: Which model is the right fit for your business? 
• Key features and benefits of OCPP: From fostering innovation to enabling remote diagnostics and dynamic network management.
• What OCPP testing looks like: Discover why thorough testing ensures compatibility, reliability, and optimal performance before deployment. 

OCPP meaning: How does it work?

As mentioned above, OCPP’s primary function is to enable charging stations and backend systems to communicate seamlessly.

OCPP was first established by the Open Charge Alliance in 2009, they describe their work as:

“Our mission is to foster global development, adoption, and compliance of communication protocols in the EV charging infrastructure and related standards through collaboration, education, testing, and certification.” 

The protocol supports a range of features, including smart charging, which balances energy distribution, and security enhancements like encrypted communication to safeguard data. It also allows for real-time communication through WebSockets, which improves the responsiveness of charging operations. 

The most common version used in the EV industry is OCPP 1.6, and it includes key features like: 

• Driver authentication
• Sharing charging session data
• Remote charging session control
• Firmware management
• Fault reporting

OCPP protocol plays a crucial role in the growth of the EV charging network. Through its version updates, businesses can increasingly ensure that their operations are scalable, secure, and future-proof.

The evolution of OCPP: communication protocols

OCPP has evolved significantly since its introduction. 

OCPP 1.2 laid the foundation for basic charging session management.

OCPP 1.5 emerged in 2012, improving system compatibility and reliability.

OCPP 1.6, introduced in 2015, included key features like smart charging, remote diagnostics, and message encryption, alongside WebSocket support for real-time communication.

OCPP 2.0 (2018) brought a major overhaul, with advanced security measures, enhanced smart charging, and improved flexibility for energy management. It also included support for complex billing and diagnostics. 

OCPP 2.0.1 (2020), is the latest version. It further refined these features and introduced integration with ISO 15118 for Plug & Charge functionality, allowing vehicles to authenticate automatically. It also supported Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G), enabling bidirectional charging, where EVs can return power to the grid.

It's worth noting that OCPP 2.0.1's lack of backwards compatibility, coupled with the slow adoption of Plug & Charge and V2G by the broader EV industry, has thus far impeded its adoption.  However, as technology improves and the EV industry matures, interest in OCPP 2.0.1 is steadily gaining momentum.

As EV infrastructure continues to evolve, so does OCPP functionality. We may see more sophisticated advancements such as over-the-air updates, better security, and autonomous vehicle charging.

For businesses, there are other considerations. For example, should you use OCPP or a custom charger communications protocol? We explore the topic below. 

OCPP vs custom charger communications protocol

When comparing the Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) with a custom charger communications protocol, several key differences and advantages emerge. 

OCPP is an industry-standard protocol designed to facilitate communication between electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and central management systems.

As mentioned earlier, its widespread adoption ensures interoperability and the ability to integrate with various hardware and software platforms, providing flexibility for both charging station operators and users. 

In contrast, a custom charger communications protocol is typically tailored to a specific manufacturer's needs or proprietary system. While this approach can optimise performance for a particular use case or hardware, it often lacks the flexibility and future-proofing of OCPP, potentially limiting integration with third-party systems or broader networks. 

Ultimately, OCPP's open and collaborative nature makes it the preferred choice for many, fostering innovation and adaptability in the fast-evolving EV ecosystem.

OCPP ev chargers: Do you need to test for compatibility?

Yes, testing for OCPP (Open Charge Point Protocol) compatibility is crucial for EV chargers and software to ensure interoperability with different systems. It verifies adherence to industry standards and enhances reliability.

Below, we break down a few key questions around Virta’s approach to OCCP testing.

1. Does Virta Test OCPP compatibility?

Virta tests the OCPP compatibility of new charger models. This saves you time and ensures your customers receive a reliable, fully compatible charging solution.

2. What's the process of testing? 

The tested device is first whitelisted in Virta's Test Environment. Tests can then be run safely on the device to determine if it is compatible by testing its functionality on the Virta backend. Once the device is deemed to be compatible, it is then whitelisted on Virta's Production Environment and is ready to be used with Virta's platform. 

3. What's the main benefit of testing? 

Testing ensures that specific charger models will function correctly and reliably. This prevents poorly designed chargers from being on-boarded onto the Virta platform which can result in a dissapointing experience for end-users.

4. What makes our testing unique?

Our requirement for models to be tested before whitelisting is done by few organisations. By requiring testing, we ensure that devices that customers encounter on our network will function properly and provide a good charging experience.  This also means customers have confidence in the charging hardware they adopt across their charging estate.