The Global Standard

Understanding OCPP: The Open Charge Point Protocol

OCPP is the open-source language that enables different EV charging stations to communicate with various central management systems. Think of it as a universal translator, ensuring that any charger can talk to any network, which is essential for a scalable and competitive EV charging market.

Why OCPP Matters

Without a common standard like OCPP, the EV charging industry would be fragmented. Charging station owners would be locked into a single software provider, limiting choice, increasing costs, and hindering innovation. OCPP prevents this by creating a free and open market.

Hardware Flexibility: Mix and match charging stations from different manufacturers without being tied to a single vendor's software.
No Vendor Lock-In: Easily switch your charging station management software (CSMS) provider if your needs change, without having to replace your hardware.
Future-Proofing: As technology evolves, OCPP ensures your network can adapt and integrate new features and charger models seamlessly.

A network of interconnected data points, representing interoperability

A group of professionals collaborating around a table

The Stewards of the Standard: A Brief History

The Open Charge Point Protocol is managed and published by the **Open Charge Alliance (OCA)**, a global consortium of public and private leaders in the EV industry. The OCA is dedicated to promoting open standards and ensuring the protocol remains a free, accessible, and powerful tool for the entire ecosystem.

The protocol originated in the Netherlands in 2009, born from a need to create a reliable and open communication standard for a growing public charging network. From its early versions, the goal was to prevent market fragmentation and vendor lock-in. As its adoption grew, the protocol was handed over to the Open Charge Alliance to guide its global development and ensure it continues to meet the evolving demands of the e-mobility world.

Core Functionalities Enabled by OCPP

OCPP provides a rich set of features that are fundamental to operating a modern EV charging network.

Authorization & Access

Manage who can use your chargers via RFID cards, mobile apps, or Plug & Charge (ISO 15118), and control access based on user groups.

Remote Control & Monitoring

Start or stop charging sessions remotely, monitor the real-time status of every charger, and receive instant alerts for faults or errors.

Smart Charging

Implement dynamic load balancing to manage power distribution, set charging profiles, and optimize energy use to avoid high costs and grid overload.

OCPP Versions

The protocol is continuously evolving, with each new version introducing more advanced capabilities.

OCPP 1.6-J

Currently the most widely adopted version, OCPP 1.6 (using JSON) provides a robust feature set for most commercial charging operations, including smart charging functionalities.

OCPP 2.0.1

The latest major release, adding advanced features like improved device management, enhanced transaction handling, increased security, and native support for Plug & Charge (ISO 15118).