What Is OCPP?
OCPP stands for Open Charge Point Protocol. It is an open communication protocol that connect EV charging stations with management system (CSMS) to communicate.
Simply put, OCPP acts as a common language between EV chargers and software platforms.
Analogy: Just like the "language" of charging stations, allowing charging stations from different manufacturers and the back-end systems of different operators to "understand" each other.
The goal is to unify interfaces, achieve interoperability, and facilitate management and monitoring.
What problems does it solve?
In the charging pile ecosystem, you might encounter the following:
Different brands of charging piles want to connect to the same backend system.
The backend needs to remotely control the charging piles and update software.
It needs to monitor charging status, collect logs, and perform billing.
OCPP is the standard protocol that solves these problems:
Start/stop charging
Report charging status (charging, idle, fault)
Remote operation (reset, unlock, firmware upgrade)
Charging billing
Security authentication (e.g., card swiping or mobile phone scanning)
How Does OCPP Work?
A typical OCPP communication structure looks like this:
For a practical example:
Suppose you sell a 60kW DC charger to a customer in Brazil.
The customer asks: Can your charger connect to our charging management platform?
If your charging station supports OCPP:
- The customer doesn't need to use your backend system.
- They can directly connect to their own platform.
- A mobile app can control charging.
- They can view revenue and operational data.
This is the value of OCPP.
Key Differences of OCPP 1.6 vs OCPP 2.0
| Feature | OCPP 1.6 | OCPP 2.0 |
|---|---|---|
| Release Year | 2015 | 2020+ |
| Communication | JSON / WebSocket | JSON / WebSocket |
| Security | Basic Authentication | TLS + Certificate Security |
| User Authentication | RFID / Token | Advanced Authentication |
| Smart Charging | Basic Load Management | Advanced Energy Management |
| Firmware Updates | Supported | Enhanced & Secure |
| Device Management | Limited | Comprehensive |
| Diagnostics | Basic Fault Reporting | Detailed Event Logging |
| Scalability | Good | Excellent |
| Future Compatibility | Moderate | High |
| Market Adoption | Very High | Rapidly Growing |
Which Version Should You Choose?
Choose OCPP 1.6 If:
- You need proven and widely supported technology.
- Compatibility with existing platforms is important.
- Your project focuses on standard charging operations.
- Cost and implementation simplicity are priorities.
Choose OCPP 2.0 If:
- You are building a future-ready charging network.
- Advanced cybersecurity is required.
- Smart energy management is a key requirement.
- You want access to the latest EV charging technologies.
Many manufacturers now offer chargers that support both OCPP 1.6J and OCPP 2.0.1, allowing customers to choose the version that best fits their operational needs.
