In the current rapid development of global electric vehicle charging infrastructure, effective and safe communication between Charging Station Management Systems (CSMS) and Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) is particularly important. To meet this demand, the Open Charge Alliance (OCA) developed an open-source protocol, the Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP), becoming the key bridge connecting EVSE and cloud-based CSMS. OCPP allows electric vehicle charger operators to remotely manage chargers via online backend software, performing operations such as initiating firmware upgrades, setting billing policies, etc., thereby enhancing the reliability and efficiency of the charging network.
Currently, two main versions of OCPP are in operation in the market: 1.6J and 2.0.1. Although OCPP 1.6J is popular for its smart charging capabilities, enabling user authentication, load balancing, and data sharing, OCPP 2.0.1, as an updated and more advanced version, has already demonstrated its significance for the future electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
Security Enhancements
OCPP 2.0.1 has made significant enhancements in security. Unlike previous versions that required a VPN to encrypt communication channels, version 2.0.1 encrypts data packets directly at the protocol level, eliminating the need for a VPN or any third-party to ensure a secure connection. The addition of new security profiles, including authentication, secure firmware updates, secure logging, and security event log notifications, significantly raises the system’s security level.
Intelligent Charging Feature Expansion
OCPP 2.0.1 also made major improvements in intelligent charging, supporting the capability for EVs to inform charging stations of the required electricity amount (in kWh). This feature was absent in previous versions, enabling EV charging management systems to understand more accurately the energy needed by each EV and, accordingly, adjust intelligent charging output to achieve a more grid-friendly, safe, and convenient charging experience.
ISO 15118 Support and Customer Experience Improvement
With native integration of ISO 15118, OCPP 2.0.1 added features such as Plug & Charge and intelligent charging. Plug & Charge allows EV drivers to start charging simply by plugging their vehicle into a smart charging station, without any additional authorization procedures. Moreover, ISO 15118 also provides an encryption mechanism for securely transmitting data between EVs and charging stations, supporting intelligent charging and optimal load management.
OCPP 2.0.1 also gives charging point operators the ability to configure the display information at charging stations, including applicable charging information, the cost during the charging process, and the final total cost, which can be displayed in the EV driver’s preferred language, enhancing the customer experience.
Equipment Management and Maintenance
The device model introduced in OCPP 2.0.1 provides charging point operators with a new level of control and monitoring over the charging infrastructure. Through a configurable, structured reporting system, operators can closely monitor key variables of charging points according to specific needs, to predict and prevent potential faults and ensure optimal performance.
OCPP 2.0.1 is set to be widely used in the future, eventually replacing OCPP 1.6. It brings many crucial updates and improvements to the electric vehicle charging infrastructure, making the charging network more efficient, secure, and user-friendly.
SETEC POWER is one of the earliest explorers of OCPP 2.0.1 EVSE in China, and is committed to the research of the next generation of super fast chargers. If you are also interested in this, please contact us now!
