EV Charging Ecosystem

Nov 2, 2023

OCPI (Open Charge Point Interface)

  • What It Does: OCPI is like a common language for charging station operators and e-mobility service providers (eMSPs) to share information.

  • Focus: It shares details like where charging stations are, how much they cost, and if they're available.

  • Goal: To make it easy for drivers to use charging stations from different networks or companies.

OICP (Open InterCharge Protocol)

  • What It Does: OICP is similar to OCPI. It's another way for EV charging stations and service providers to communicate.

  • Focus: It's much like OCPI but may have some differences in how it shares information or works technically.

  • Goal: Also aimed at helping drivers use different charging networks easily.

OCPP (Open Charge Point Protocol)

  • What It Does: OCPP is used for communication between charging stations and their central management systems.

  • Focus: It's more about managing the charging stations themselves - like monitoring, billing, and keeping them running well.

  • Goal: To make sure that charging stations from different makers can all talk to any central management system using this protocol.

eMSP (E-Mobility Service Provider)

  • Role: eMSPs are companies that provide services related to electric vehicles, like charging, billing, etc.

  • Relationship:

    • With OCPI/OICP: eMSPs use protocols like OCPI or OICP to exchange services and information with charging station operators.

    • With OCPP: eMSPs don't directly deal with OCPP (which is more for charging stations and their management systems), but they might rely on information from OCPP-standardized charging stations to offer their services.

In simple terms, OCPI and OICP are mainly about making different EV charging networks work together, while OCPP focuses on the interaction between charging stations and their management systems. eMSPs, as service providers, use these protocols to offer seamless charging experiences and services.