Difference between OCPP and OCPI

This article has some helpful pointers on the difference between OCPP and OCPI. So let’s check it.

The importance of a well-developed charging infrastructure for EVs is rising in tandem with the EV market.

Two protocols have emerged as the leading solutions for managing EV charging infrastructure: OCPP and OCPI.

This article compares and contrasts the two strategies so that you may make an informed decision.

You’ll finish this post with a deeper understanding of OCPP and OCPI, and their significance in the EV charging ecosystem.

Before getting into the mechanics of how OCPP and OCPI vary, it is important to understand what they are and why they matter in the electric car charging industry.

What is OCPP?

The Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) is a free and open standard for charging station communications.

It was created to standardize communication between EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) charging stations and CMS (Charging Station Management System).

In order to facilitate communication and cooperation between various charging station manufacturers and management systems, the EV charging industry has chosen OCPP as a standard protocol.

If your charging station is OCPP-compliant, it will be able to talk to any CSMS that uses the same protocol, regardless of who made it.

Related: What Sets Inverter and Non-Inverter AC Different

What is OCPI?

OCPI, which stands for the Open Charge Point Interface, is another open-source protocol created by the EV Roaming Foundation.

This protocol focuses on streamlining communication between different EV charging networks and e-mobility service providers (MSPs).

Essentially, OCPI enables roaming services for EV drivers, allowing them to access and pay for charging services across different networks using a single account or payment method.

OCPI seeks to facilitate EV charging for drivers and increase the adoption of electric vehicles by making charging stations simpler to locate, access, and pay for, independently of the charging network or service provider.

Differences Between OCPP and OCPI

Now that you understand the basics of both OCPP and OCPI, let’s look at how they differ significantly.

Purpose: OCPP and OCPI provide different functions, and here is where they diverge.

In contrast to OCPI, which handles interactions between charging networks and e-mobility service providers, OCPP concentrates on interactions between charging stations and management systems.

Scope: OCPP is primarily concerned with the technical communication between charging equipment and management systems, ensuring that charging stations can be monitored, controlled, and updated remotely.

OCPI, on the other hand, has a broader scope, encompassing not only technical communication but also data exchange between charging networks, such as location information, charging prices, and payment methods.

Market Adoption: OCPP has been widely adopted in the EV charging industry, with many charging station manufacturers and management systems supporting the protocol.

OCPI is still in the process of gaining widespread adoption, but it has been endorsed by several major charging networks and e-mobility service providers.

Advantages of OCPP

There are several benefits to using the OCPP application for EV charging infrastructure:

Interoperability: OCPP enables interoperability between different charging station brands and management systems.

This means that charging station owners can choose from a wide variety of equipment and software options without being locked into a single vendor or proprietary solution.

Flexibility: Since it is an open-source protocol, OCPP receives regular updates and improvements from the community, making it suitable for the shifting needs of the market.

Cost Savings: By using OCPP-compliant equipment and software, charging station owners can avoid costly vendor lock-in and potentially save money on equipment and software updates.

Advantages of OCPI

OCPI offers several advantages for both EV drivers and charging networks:

Simplified Charging Experience for Drivers: With OCPI, EV drivers can use a single account or payment method to access and pay for charging services across multiple networks.

This eliminates the need for multiple charging cards or accounts and makes the charging experience more seamless and convenient.

Increased Network Visibility: OCPI enables charging networks to share information about their charging stations, including real-time availability, pricing, and location data.

This can help drivers find and access charging stations more easily and encourage the use of underutilized stations.

Expanded Market Opportunities: By enabling roaming services and cross-network communication, OCPI can help to charge networks and e-mobility service providers reach new customers and expand their market presence.

Challenges of OCPP

While OCPP offers many advantages, it also faces some challenges:

Limited Roaming Capabilities: OCPP does not inherently support roaming services for EV drivers. This means that without additional protocols like OCPI or proprietary solutions, charging station owners using OCPP may have difficulty offering seamless charging experiences across multiple networks.

Complexity: Implementing OCPP can be complex, especially for smaller charging station operators or those with limited technical resources. This may require additional investment in software development or third-party support services.

Challenges of OCPI

OCPI also faces some challenges in the EV charging market:

Market Adoption: While OCPI has gained support from several major charging networks and service providers, it is still working towards widespread adoption in the industry.

This may limit the availability of OCPI-enabled roaming services for EV drivers in some regions.

Implementation Complexity: Similar to OCPP, implementing OCPI can be complex and may require additional investment in software development or support services.

Which one to choose OCPP or OCPI?

Some things to think about are as follows: Choosing between OCPP and OCPI requires careful consideration of your EV charging network and business objectives.

Interoperability and Vendor Flexibility: If your primary concern is ensuring compatibility between different charging station brands and management systems, OCPP is the better choice.

Roaming Services and Cross-Network Communication: If you want to offer a more seamless charging experience for EV drivers across multiple networks and enhance your market presence, OCPI is the way to go.

Technical Resources and Complexity: Both OCPP and OCPI can be complex to implement, so it’s essential to assess your technical resources and capabilities before making a decision.

Combining OCPP with OCPI is recommended for creating a charging infrastructure that is adaptable, interoperable, and user-friendly, thereby maximizing the advantages of each protocol.

Conclusion

OCPP and OCPI are both crucial protocols in the EV charging industry, each offering unique advantages and addressing different aspects of charging infrastructure management.

To build a reliable, effective, and profitable electric vehicle charging network, it is important to consider your specific needs and the distinctions between these protocols.

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