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OCPI vs. OCPP: EV Charging Protocols Explained

OCPI vs. OCPP, do you know their difference? As electric vehicles are becoming popular by the day, new specialized terms are continually cropping up to introduce professional concepts. Regarding the EV charging protocols, OCPI and OCPP can be confusing ideas to tell. No worries. This article will concentrate on the topic of OCPI vs. OCPP, giving you a comprehensive guide to their definitions, key features, and functionalities.

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What is OCPI?

OCPI is an abbreviation for Open Charge Point Interface. This is a point-to-point EV charging protocol that connects service providers with charging networks to deliver a user-friendly charging experience.

Key Features and Functionalities of OCPI

The key features and functionalities of OCPI include:


  • Interoperability

In the comparison of  OCPI vs. OCPP, one of the major features of OCPI is its promotion of interoperability within the EV charging infrastructure. This means that different charging networks can communicate with each other, enabling wide data exchange and, furthermore, a unified user experience. It also provides station aggregators with enhanced service coverage.


  • Roaming Capabilities

With OCPI, EV drivers can roam between different charging networks to have their EVs charged. It also allows EV drivers to access EV chargers on different networks with a single card or app, simplifying the user experience.


  • Data Exchange

Additionally, OCPI enables seamless operational information exchange. This way, EV drivers can get real-time information about the charging stations, including station availability, session costs, and charging history.

 

What is OCPP?

OCPP stands for Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP). This is an open protocol that allows communication between electric vehicle charging stations and charging station management systems (CSMS).

Key Features and Functionalities of OCPP

The key features and functionalities of OCPP include:


  • Standardization of Communication

The main feature of OCPP is that it allows a standardized way of communication between the OCPP-compliant central system and charging stations. This standardization ensures that, despite different manufacturers, their charging stations can interoperate seamlessly, allowing for a more unified and efficient charging infrastructure.


  • Remote Monitoring and Management

OCPP can also be used to help with remote charging station monitoring and management. It enables EV charging network operators to master the operational information of charging stations, despite where they are. For instance, diagnostics and firmware updates can be done remotely.


  • Support for Various Charging Scenarios

Furthermore, OCPP enables smart charging with its load-balancing management. It helps with a reasonable power distribution between the grid and EVs, maximizing the charging efficiency among diverse charging scenarios. The upgraded version, OCPP 2.0.1, is integrated with more advanced features to make it more versatile for both small- and large-scale charging networks.

 

OCPI vs. OCPP: Difference Summarized

Now that we’ve discussed the necessary key features and functionalities, let’s discuss the comparison of OCPI vs. OCPP from an overall perspective.

· In the comparison of OCPI vs. OCPP, the former enables communication between EV charging operators, networks, and service providers. The latter, however, is mainly for the communication between central management systems and EV chargers.

· The OCPI focuses on enabling roaming between different networks, while the OCPP is mainly for remote management and control.

· OCPI experienced numerous enhancements, and now the latest version is OCPI 2.2.1. Meanwhile, OCPP also comes with ongoing updates, like OCPP 1.6 (2015) and OCPP 2.0 (2018), to address emerging industry requirements.  

 

Check Winline’s OCPP EV Chargers

At Winline, we have OCPP EV chargers for you to choose from. Take our Electree Cypress 120-160kW Super-Fast Charging Station as an example.

Electree Cypress 120-160kW Super-Fast Charging Station

This is an OCPP EV charger specially designed for the European market. It not only enables super-fast DC charging but also has advanced features for safety, data processing, and smart dispatching. Its wide application scenarios include public charging stations, residential communities, and commercial complexes. As a professional EV charger manufacturer, Winline can offer ODM & ODM services to help you get the right EV charging stations that fit your desired application settings.

 

Conclusion

Understanding the comparison of OCPI vs. OCPP can help you further master the working mechanisms within the whole EV charging system. If you still have questions about EV charging solutions, you are more than welcome to contact us for professional insights.

With 800,000+ EV charging modules and 280,000+ DC EV charging terminals in applications worldwide, Winline offers an impressive range of EV charging solutions for different scenarios. Apart from that, you can also trust our ODM and OEM services to design and manufacture charging stations tailored for your business.

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