A new open-source software called OpenOCPP could dramatically speed up how quickly electric vehicle (EV) chargers come to market. The software — recently unveiled by ChargeLab, an EV charging technology company — is designed to work with almost any hardware, giving manufacturers a simpler, faster way to make chargers that are compatible with the industry’s standard communication system.
The Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) is the global standard for how chargers talk to networks, but it doesn’t include the actual software needed to make chargers work. Each manufacturer has had to write its own version, a slow and expensive process.
OpenOCPP changes all that, ChargeLab officials say. The software runs on everything from basic microcontrollers found in budget devices to powerful computer systems inside high-end chargers. It also comes with advanced security features already included, so manufacturers don’t have to worry about building those protections themselves.
“OpenOCPP transforms OCPP adoption for EV charger manufacturers from an 18–24 month integration challenge to a weeks-long sprint,” said Ehsan Mokthari, ChargeLab’s chief technology officer.
The software is designed to be lightweight and efficient, able to run on hardware with very little memory, Mokthari said. It also supports the latest version of the OCPP standard and because it’s open-source, wany company can use it for free and suggest improvements.
ChargeLab is a member of the Open Charge Alliance, the organization that oversees the OCPP standard.
One of the first companies to try OpenOCPP is FractalEV, a maker of Level 2 chargers for electric vehicles. FractalEV has used OpenOCPP while installing chargers across North America, working with more than 20 different network providers.
Chris Mendes, founder of FractalEV, said that ChargeLab’s software helped his company bring its first charger to market much faster. Using OpenOCPP meant FractalEV could focus on adding unique features like easy installation tools and a touchscreen display, rather than spending months building the basic communication software.
ChargeLab says over 4,000 chargers are already running on OpenOCPP through early manufacturer programs, including units deployed with major corporate customers that have strict cybersecurity demands.
The news and editorial staffs of Southern California News Group and The San Diego Union-Tribune had no role in this post’s preparation.
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