Open Charge Point Protocol: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Protocol for managing EV charging stations}}

The '''Open Charge Point Protocol''' ('''OCPP''') is an [[application protocol]] for communication between [[Electric vehicle]] (EV) [[charging station]]s and a central management system, also known as a charging station network, similar to cell phones and cell phone networks. The original version was written by Joury de Reuver and Franc Buve.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ocppforum.net/ |title=Welcome to t Charge Alliance |publisher=Ocppforum.net |date= |accessdate=2013-10-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.evconnect.com/flexibility-and-ocpp/ |title=Flexibility and OCPP |publisher=EV Connect |date=2013-08-05 |accessdate=2013-10-12 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131003054741/http://www.evconnect.com/flexibility-and-ocpp/ |archivedate=2013-10-03 }}</ref>

The Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) is an [[application protocol]] for communication between [[electric vehicle (EV) charging stations]] and a central management system, also known as a charging station network. It is comparable to communication between cell phones and cell phone networks. The original version of OCPP was developed by Franc Buve and Joury de Reuver.<ref name="auto1">{{cite web | url=https://openchargealliance.org/protocols/open-charge-point-protocol/ | title=Open charge point protocol }}</ref>

OCPP is used by a large number of vendors of EV charging stations and central management systems globally.<ref name="auto2">{{cite web | url=https://openchargealliance.org/participants/ | title=Participants }}</ref> As of January 2025, OCPP had been downloaded in 137 countries. The latest version, OCPP 2.1, was released in January 2025. This version includes features such as Distributed Energy Resource (DER) control and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) capabilities, and is backwards compatible with OCPP 2.0.1.<ref name="auto2"/>

The latest version is version 2.0. ([https://www.openchargealliance.org/uploads/files/OCA-Overview-OCPP-versions.pdf OCPP versions])

In late 2024, OCPP 2.0.1 Edition 3 was accepted by the [[International Electrotechnical Commission|International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)]]

The protocol is an initiative of the ELaadNL foundation<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.elaad.nl/ |title=ElaadNL |publisher=ElaadNL |date= |accessdate=2019-05-23}}</ref> in the [[Netherlands]]. Its aim was to create an open application protocol which allows EV charging stations and central management systems from different vendors to communicate with each other. It is in use by a large number of vendors of EV charging stations and central management systems all over the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://greentransportation.info/open-charge-point-protocol-ocpp-organization |title=Open Charge Point Protocol & OCPP Organization |publisher=Greentransportation.info |date=2013-08-08 |accessdate=2013-10-12}}</ref>

as IEC standard 63584. <ref>{{cite web | url=https://webstore.iec.ch/en/publication/95734/ | title=Iec 63584:2024 }}</ref> OCPP is developed and maintained by the Open Charge Alliance (OCA), a non-profit foundation under Dutch law, headquartered in Arnhem, [[the Netherlands]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://openchargealliance.org/about-us/ | title=About us }}</ref> It is an open source standard and can be downloaded for free. To contribute to OCPP's development, one must become a member of the Open Charge Alliance.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://openchargealliance.org/join-us/ | title=Join us }}</ref>

==History==

From 2019 the use of OCPP (or equivalent) is required for new chargepoints in the UK meeting the Electric Vehicle Home Charge Scheme requirements.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/electric-vehicle-homecharge-scheme-minimum-technical-specification/electric-vehicle-homecharge-scheme-minimum-technical-specification |title=Guidance - Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme: minimum technical specification |publisher=gov.uk |date=2020-10-20 |accessdate=2021-04-21}}</ref>

OCPP was designed in 2009 at the request of the ElaadNL foundation, founded by Dutch distribution system operators (DSOs).<ref name="auto1"/>

The technical design and specifications were developed by Joury de Reuver, Franc Buve, and others. The goal was to create a protocol that enables communication between EV charging stations and central management systems from different vendors.

The first version of OCPP was published by ElaadNL in 2010 as an open-source standard. <ref>{{cite web | url=https://openchargealliance.org/about-us/discover-our-history | title=Discover our history }}</ref> This was followed by OCPP 1.5 in 2012, and then OCPP 1.6 in 2015, which introduced new features such as JSON, SOAP, and Smart Charging.<ref name="auto1"/>

==Benefits==

Charging station owners, or hosts, are less vulnerable to individual system suppliers – if a charging station manufacturer ceased to exist, the host could switch to another OCPP-based network. Giving charging station customers choice and flexibility to use any network on any charge station would, through market forces, encourage charging station manufacturers and network providers to compete on price, service, product features, and innovation – all of which encourages demand by charge station owners. The end result is a significant benefit to EV drivers as the charging station infrastructure expands.<ref name="switchev1">{{cite web |url=http://infrastructure.switchev.co.uk/infrastructure-development-and-operation/network-operation/open-charge-point-protocol |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120621140719/http://infrastructure.switchev.co.uk/infrastructure-development-and-operation/network-operation/open-charge-point-protocol |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-06-21 |title=Open Charge Point Protocol OCPP |publisher=Infrastructure.switchev.co.uk |accessdate=2013-10-12 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.energy.ca.gov/2013-ALT-01/documents/2013-08-15_workshop/presentations/EVConnect_Response_to_Workshop_Questions.pdf |title=EVConnect |publisher=Energy.ca.gov |accessdate=2013-10-12}}</ref>

With growing adoption, ElaadNL transferred the stewardship of OCPP to the Open Charge Alliance (OCA), which it co-founded with ESB (Ireland) and Greenlots (USA).<ref>{{cite web | url=https://openchargealliance.org/about-us/discover-our-history// | title=Discover our history }}</ref>

OCPP also makes it easier to create a large-scale, visible network that uses a range of different charging stations since there is a requirement for only one operating system. Proponents of OCPP also cite a reduction in development costs since software designed to provide additional functionality would only need to be developed once and not several times to fit with each individual operating system. OCPP will also ease interoperability across the United States, and elsewhere, and minimize remedial work on systems.<ref name="switchev1"/>

In 2018, OCPP 2.0 was released. Due to its comprehensive overhaul, it is not backward compatible with earlier versions. In 2019, OCA launched an OCPP 1.6 certification program, followed by OCPP 2.0.1 certification in 2023.

<ref>{{cite web | url=https://openchargealliance.org/certificationocpp/ | title=Certification }}</ref>

==Objectives==

The security part of OCPP defines an end-to-end security design architecture, with implementation guidelines for both charging stations and Central Management System. It was first introduced in 2018 and now is in its third revision. Correct implementation of the OCPP Security guidelines can protect against some of the more common attack scenarios including server hijack, communications eavesdropping and charge station impersonation<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-10-17 |title=Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) Security Explained |url=https://wevo.energy/white-paper/open-charge-point-protocol-ocpp-security-explained/ |access-date=2022-10-17 |website=WEVO |language=en-US}}</ref>.

The main objective of OCPP is to provide a standard communication interface used by all charging stations to avoid vendor lock-in. This enhances interoperability and flexibility, enabling charging station owners to switch networks or hardware providers without being locked into proprietary systems.

<ref>3. https://openchargealliance.org/protocols/open-charge-point-protocol/</ref>

OCPP facilitates the creation of large, diverse charging networks using a uniform protocol. It also defines end-to-end security architecture and provides implementation guidelines to protect against cyber threats such as server hijacking, eavesdropping, and device impersonation.

== OCPP Certification Process ==

<ref>11. https://wevo.energy/white-papers/open-charge-point-protocol-ocpp-security-explained/</ref>

The Open Charge Alliance - OCA has launched an independent [https://www.emobilitysimplified.com/2019/12/all-about-open-charge-point-protocol-certification-program.html OCPP certification program], through which the charging point (EVSE) manufacturers and Charging Station Management System providers (CSMS / back office) are now able to conform their OCPP 1.6 implementations according to the official OCPP specification. A separate security certification which validates the conformance to the [https://www.openchargealliance.org/uploads/files/OCPP-1.6-security-whitepaper-edition-2.zip OCPP 1.6 security white-paper] is also available.

== OCPP Certification Process ==

This certification program will help the EVSE manufactures & CSMS platform to exhibit a clear status of their OCPP implementation to their clients. Likewise, it will also be beneficial for the consumers of the OCPP products without a need to test & validate the implementation themselves.

The OCA operates an independent certification program to ensure compliance with the OCPP specification. Certification is available for OCPP 1.6 (since 2019) and OCPP 2.0.1 (since 2023). Certification labs appointed by OCA conduct the testing.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://openchargealliance.org/testing-laboratories/ | title=Testing laboratories }}</ref>

==Adoption==

==Use in the =United States===

In the U.S., OCPP adoption has increased since the Federal Highway Administration required its use (or an equivalent protocol) under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program.<ref>https://www.transportation.gov/bipartisan-infrastructure-law/regulations/2023-03500</ref>

<ref>{{cite web | url=https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/02/15/fact-sheet-biden-harris-administration-announces-new-standards-and-major-progress-for-a-made-in-america-national-network-of-electric-vehicle-chargers/ | title=FACT SHEET: Biden-Harris Administration Announces New Standards and Major Progress for a Made-in-America National Network of Electric Vehicle Chargers | date=15 February 2023 }}</ref>

The states New York <ref>{{cite web | url=https://jointutilitiesofny.org/ev/make-ready/ | title=EV Make-Ready Program &#124; Joint Utilities }}</ref> and California <ref>{{cite web | url=https://calevip.org/ocpp-certification-process/ | title=OCPP Certification Process &#124; CALeVIP }}</ref> require OCPP compliance for charging infrastructure funding.

[[The U.S. Department of Energy]] has supported interoperability efforts since 2013 through the EV-Smart Grid Interoperability Center at [[Argonne National Laboratory]].[17]

===Asia===

In South Korea, OCPP is widely used for charging station management. Its popularity is driven by the requirement for OCPP certification in order to receive public funding.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ktc.re.kr/web_eunited/board/view_season_02.asp?pagen=2364&paging=5&sno=2853 | title=KTC }}</ref>

===Europe===

OCPP originated in Europe, and much of the protocol's development community is based there. Several cities and regions mandate OCPP use for communication between recharging points and charge point operators (CPOs). <ref name="auto">{{cite web | url=https://transport.ec.europa.eu/transport-themes/clean-transport/sustainable-transport-forum-stf/reports/2020-recommendations-recharging-point-tenders_en/ | title=2020 Recommendations for recharging point tenders - European Commission }}</ref> In 2020, the European Commission's Sustainable Transport Forum issued recommendations promoting OCPP compliance in tenders and funding programs.<ref name="auto"/> In the UK, since July 2019, new charging stations must meet smart charging requirements to qualify for funding under the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme. While OCPP is not explicitly mandated, compliance with OCPP 1.6 or equivalent is necessary to meet these smart criteria.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-funded-electric-car-chargepoints-to-be-smart-by-july-2019 | title=Government funded electric car chargepoints to be smart by July 2019 }}</ref>

<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gov.uk/guidance/residential-chargepoints-minimum-technical-specification/ | title=Residential chargepoints: Minimum technical specification | date=2 August 2023 }}</ref>

==See also==

For now only OCPP 1.6 can be fully tested and certified. OCPP versions older than OCPP 1.6 (such as OCPP 0.7, OCPP 1.2, and OCPP 1.5) as well OCPP 2.0 are not covered under the current OCPP certification program. Open Charge Alliance has defined a set of test procedures and test plans for the certification compliance. The actual tests are performed by independent testing laboratories. So far, OCA has selected three laboratories '''DNV-GL, KSGA and Dekra, which are present in North America, Europe and in Asia.'''

[[IEC 61850]] - Communication protocols for [[intelligent electronic device]]s at [[electrical substation]]s

[[IEC 61851]] - Standard for [[electric vehicle]] conductive charging systems

To become OCPP certified, the tested Device Under Test (DUT), must successfully pass the following two categories of tests:

[[IEC 63110]] - Protocol for the management of electric vehicles charging and discharging infrastructure

'''1. Conformance tests:''' the tested DUT is tested against the [https://www.emobilitysimplified.com/2019/11/how-to-test-ocpp-compliance-octt-simulator.html OCPP Compliance Testing Tool.] The tool has built in validations that should not fail during certification tests. With these validations the Tool verifies whether the DUT has implemented the OCPP specification correctly.

* [[Payment gateway]]

'''2. Performance measurements:''' several performance values of the tested DUT are measured and give an idea how the device behaves in a lab environment. The performance parameters are stated by the vendor in the Protocol Implementation Conformance Statement (PICS).

A list of OCPP certified companies and products can be found on the Open Charge Alliance (OCA) website<ref>{{Cite web |title=Certified companies - Open Charge Alliance |url=https://www.openchargealliance.org/certification/certifiedcompanies/ |access-date=2022-10-17 |website=www.openchargealliance.org}}</ref>. Only certified companies are allowed to use the certification logos.

==Use in the United States==

To date, OCPP is not as highly adopted in the U.S. among other vendors because the U.S. market came into being largely through a number of large [[United States Department of Energy|U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)]] grants that let the network provider choose their protocol.

The U.S. Department of Energy made charge station network interoperability a priority in 2013 by launching a new center that will work to ensure that vehicles, charging stations, communications and networking systems work in unison with the electric grid. The Electric Vehicle-Smart Grid Interoperability Center, located at [[Argonne National Laboratory]] just outside Chicago, works to harmonize emerging EV and [[Smart grid|smart grid technologies]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://energy.gov/articles/energy-department-partners-eu-electric-vehicle-and-smart-grid-coordination |title=Energy Department Partners with EU on Electric Vehicle and Smart Grid Coordination &#124; Department of Energy |publisher=Energy.gov |date=2013-07-19 |accessdate=2013-10-12}}</ref>

==See also==

* [[IEC 63110]]

* [[Payment gateway]]

==References==

{{reflistReflist}}

==External links==

*[http://www.openchargealliance.org Open Charge Alliance]

*[https://evadept.com/how-do-charging-stations-communicate-with-electric-cars/ How do charging stations communicate with electric cars?]

*[https://www.current.eco/platform/ocpp OCPP - What and Why?]

[[Category:Electric vehicle technologies]]