What is OCPP, and why should you check it before buying a charger?

Most charger spec sheets list “OCPP 1.6J” or “OCPP 2.0.1”. If you are starting a charging business or choosing chargers for your property, it’s one of the most important lines to check.

OCPP is the common language of chargers and management software

OCPP (Open Charge Point Protocol) is the open standard that defines how a charger and a charging station management system (CSMS) talk to each other. Maintained by the Open Charge Alliance (OCA), it covers messages such as starting and stopping a session, pricing, fault alerts and remote restarts.

Why it matters

• No lock-in. A charger that supports OCPP keeps working if you switch to a different management platform.
• Remote management. Check status, diagnose problems and update software without a site visit.
• Mixed fleets. Run chargers from different manufacturers side by side as your sites grow.

1.6J vs. 2.0.1

• OCPP 1.6J is the most widely deployed version today. The “J” means messages are exchanged as JSON.
• OCPP 2.0.1 adds stronger security (such as certificate-based connections), richer device management and better smart charging, and supports Plug & Charge (ISO 15118), where plugging in is all it takes to authenticate and pay.

“Supports” is not the same as “certified”

Claiming OCPP support is different from passing the OCA’s official certification, which tests that a product follows the standard correctly and reduces compatibility problems in the field. EVmode chargers have received official OCPP 1.6 certification from the OCA, and EVmode is working toward OCPP 2.0.1 certification.

OCPP at EVmode

The EVmode CSMS supports OCPP 1.6J and 2.0.1. Our Level 2 chargers use OCPP 1.6J, and our Level 3 DC fast chargers support both 1.6J and 2.0.1. See full specs on our products page.