The Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) is an open-source communication protocol for networked electric vehicle chargers. It can be considered a syntax language in which EV chargers are able to communicate between electric vehicle charging points and central control systems. As an open-source protocol, anyone can access and contribute to it. OCPP also doesn’t favour any charger or software over others, so any OCPP-compatible charger will be able to utilise any OCPP-compatible software.
Open standards are key to propelling the clean energy industry forward and making EV chargers more affordable, accessible and flexible. From 2019 the use of OCPP is required for new charge points in the UK and it’s only a matter of time before this transpires to other countries. It is a way to future-proof your charging system when EV adoption grows in the future.
(All hardware provided by EVSE is OCPP compatible and ready to use upon arrival)
Through EVSE software such as Exploren, users are able to load-manage, as well as monitor their energy usage across chargers.
There are currently over 700 known programming languages. Within each device that is programmed, there are usually proprietary restrictions, and quirks of individual companies and programmers that make the software hardware-specific. Knowing this, it can be understood that having all these different languages trying to communicate with each other would be like having Apple trying to run on Android. It simply wouldn’t work. Application protocols are what allow your iPhone to play Spotify with your JBL speaker. And Android to play Pandora through your Sony headphones. Protocols provide a common ground in which these different mediums can communicate with each other.
EV charging areas are complex weblike systems that primarily come in two parts. The charging station and the central management system govern the voltage, output and other factors depending on the system. These two parts can be made by different vendors, some of which only provide the station of only the management system.
Since there are two different providers in this instance you would require an application protocol to translate the two different vendors. Hence OCPP in a way can be considered to be a translation tool. The ultimate goal of OCPP is to provide a way in which different EV charging stations can communicate with different central management systems.
To future-proof and lay the groundwork for a long-term scalable EV charging system, choosing to install OCPP-enabled hardware is hence a critical step for site owners to consider when starting their electrification journey.
Tell us about your car and home to see recommendations.
Stocking the best Electric Car products from the World’s leading brands.
All of our EVSE products are compliant with Australian & International standards.
If you find one of our products cheaper with any other Australian retailer, we promise to beat it by 5%. Just make a note of the price and where you have found it, and then give us a call on the following number:
