What is OCPP for electric vehicle chargers?

commercial electric vehicle charging

OCPP stands for Open Charge Point Protocol and is a communication standard for electric vehicle (EV) chargers. It is a key element in commercial electric vehicle charging station operations, allowing interoperability between different charging hardware and software systems.  OCPP is used in AC electric vehicle chargers and is commonly found at public and commercial charging stations.

 AC EV chargers are capable of powering electric vehicles using alternating current. They are widely used in commercial environments such as shopping malls, workplaces and public parking facilities.  OCPP enables these charging stations to communicate with back-end systems such as energy management software, billing systems, and network operations centers.

 The OCPP standard allows seamless integration and control of charging stations from different manufacturers. It defines a set of protocols and commands that facilitate communication between charging stations and central management systems. This means that regardless of the make or model of AC EV charger, OCPP ensures that it can be remotely monitored, managed and updated through a single interface.

 One of the key advantages of OCPP for commercial electric vehicle charging is its ability to enable smart charging capabilities. This includes load management, dynamic pricing and demand response capabilities, which are critical to optimizing the use of charging infrastructure, reducing energy costs and supporting grid stability.  OCPP also enables data collection and reporting, giving operators insights into charging station usage, performance and energy consumption.

 Additionally, OCPP plays a fundamental role in providing roaming services to EV drivers. By leveraging standardized protocols, charging operators can provide EV drivers from different service providers with seamless access to their charging stations, thereby promoting the growth and accessibility of EV charging networks.

 In summary, OCPP is an important component for the efficient operation of commercial AC EV chargers. Its standardization and interoperability benefits enable seamless integration, control and optimization of charging infrastructure, helping to drive progress in electric vehicles and sustainable transportation.


Post time: Dec-29-2023