What’s OCPP? And why is OCPP 2.0.1 important?
OCPP stands for Open Charge Point Protocol. It’s an open EV charging standard that facilitates communication between charging hardware and the back-office software – or charge point managements systems (CPMSs) – that controls it.
OCPP 2.0.1 is the latest iteration of the standard. It aims to improve charging flexibility by further developing a common language for interoperability between different hardware manufacturers. In this way, it’s helping drive the transition to EVs and innovation within the industry.

The history of OCPP
Dutch non-profit organisation ELaadNL introduced the first version of OCPP in 2010 as a standard way for different manufacturers’ chargers to exchange information.
The Open Charge Alliance (OCA), a coalition of organisations and members, formed in 2014 and has been developing OCPP standards ever since. It released OCPP 1.6 in 2015 to introduce more complex standards, like those relating to smart charging and load balancing.
OCPP 1.6 remains the most widely adopted version of the charging protocol worldwide.
OCPP’s impact on CPOs and fleets
OCPP makes it easier for chargers and back-office systems from different manufacturers to communicate. For CPOs with different brands and models of charger within their infrastructure, this offers new opportunities for efficiency.
For organisations and their fleet managers, it means the decisions they made on charger manufacturer and CPO won’t limit them from future changes. If a CPO isn’t providing adequate levels of customer service, the organisation can change provider.
While this offers opportunities to CPOs, it also presents risks. If they don’t offer good customer service, they can lose infrastructure management contracts.
In general, though, OCPP helps drive standards across the industry, which can only be a good thing for consumers.
What’s new in OCPP 2.0.1?
Working with other industry bodies, the OCA’s participants, researchers and testers developed OCPP 2.0 in 2018, updating it to 2.0.1 in 2020.
OCPP 2.0.1‘s advances relate to:
- Cyber security. OCPP 2.0.1 uses advanced end-to-end encryption to ensure it’s only possible to install authorised software on chargers. It also prevents the alteration of data during transmission.
- Support for ISO 15118 . This international standard for communications between chargers and vehicles enables ‘Plug & Charge’ – an automatic vehicle authentication and charging payment technology to simplify driver experience. ISO 15118 also supports vehicle-to-grid (V2G) bi-directional charging.
- Smart charging. More sophisticated load control, smoother integration with Grid services and better management of charging schedules is possible with OCPP 2.0.1. This enables the optimisation of available on-site power across multiple chargers.
- Improved device management. The standardisation of diagnostics and reporting methods across hardware brands allows for more detailed and consistent logs. This, in turn, supports better troubleshooting and performance tracking – so improved availability for customers and reduced maintenance costs for CPOs.
- Data transfer efficiency. As well as reducing associated costs, OCPP 2.0.1 will make chargers more responsive to user interactions such as payments – and improve load management responsiveness.
Is the OCPP 2.0.1 standard… standard?
Despite its clear benefits, adoption of OCPP 2.0.1 has been slow. Certain back-office managers don’t see elements of the standard’s functionality as critical – or they perceive the necessary updates as complex. Others feel the standard still has some limitations, like still leaving CPOs unable to control the full user experience.
However, OCPP 2.0.1 offers more flexibility, security, and capabilities for smart charging than any protocol to come before it. So – although it may take some time – it’s likely to become the dominant global standard over the coming years. Stipulating OCPP 2.0.1 compliance in tenders isn’t yet widespread – though the requirement is becoming more common.
It’ll be crucial in time for manufacturers and CPOs to recognise the importance of the interoperability standards OCPP 2.0.1 sets. Tenders are increasingly stipulating 2.0.1 compliance as a submission requirement. Without taking heed of the standard’s requirements, EV-sector organisations risk falling behind in an industry driven by innovation and customer expectations.
Supporting the growth of the UK’s charging infrastructure
A more standardised approach to EV charging means a more consistent charging experience for end users. Drivers – and fleet managers – don’t want to be limited to using certain manufacturers’ hardware. And they don’t want the complexities of having to navigate a number of unique interfaces.
As OCPP 2.0.1 enables smoother control for CPOs, they can expect less downtime and timelier firmware updates, too.
This all points to the removal of more barriers to electrification.
OCPP 2.0.1 isn’t just an upgrade, it’s a crucial step towards a seamless, secure and interoperable EV charging future.
And let’s not forget the UK’s ban on the sale and manufacture of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles is fast approaching. It brings with it an increasing need for organisations to evidence sustainable practices to retain customers and compete in an evolving marketplace. OCPP 2.0.1 represents important progress on the UK’s journey to both electrification and net zero.