What is the difference between OCPP and OCPI ?

Title: Understanding the Differences Between OCPP and OCPI for Enhancing EV Charging Infrastructure

The adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) is growing rapidly, and as a result, the need for reliable and efficient EV charging infrastructure is increasing. To address this challenge, various charging protocols and standards have emerged, including OCPP (Open Charge Point Protocol) and OCPI (Open Charge Point Interface). In this article, we will explore the differences between these two protocols and their significance in the development of a user-friendly EV charging infrastructure.

OCPP vs OCPI: A Shared Goal

OCPP and OCPI are both open-source protocols designed to facilitate communication between charging stations and back-end systems. While their primary purpose is similar, they have some key differences.OCPP is focused on the connection between charging stations and management systems, while OCPI aims to create a unified platform that connects charging operators across different networks.

OCPP's primary goals include:

Enabling communication between charging stations and management systems.

Providing real-time data exchange, tariff information, availability status, and authorization requests.

Supporting roaming services for EV drivers.

In contrast, OCPI's primary goals include:

Creating a unified platform for charging operators across different networks.

Facilitating communication between charging stations and back-end systems.

Enabling the exchange of data and information between charging stations and back-end systems.

OCPI vs OCPP: Key Differences

While both protocols share a common goal, they have distinct differences in their implementation and features.OCPP is designed primarily for the communication between charging stations and management systems, while OCPI is designed to create a unified platform for charging operators across different networks.

Focus and Purpose:

OCPP is focused on the connection between charging stations and management systems, while OCPI aims to create a unified platform that connects charging operators across different networks.

Data Exchange:

OCPP enables real-time data exchange, while OCPI does not provide this feature.

Roaming Services:

OCPP is designed to support roaming services for EV drivers, while OCPI does not have this capability.

Tariff Information:

OCPP provides tariff information, while OCPI does not.

Availability Status:

OCPP provides availability status, while OCPI does not.

Authorization Requests:

OCPP supports authorization requests, while OCPI does not.

Conclusion:

OCPP and OCPI are two commonly used protocols for EV charging infrastructure. While both protocols serve the same purpose, they have distinct differences in their implementation and features.OCPI is designed to create a unified platform for charging operators across different networks, while OCPP is focused on the connection between charging stations and management systems. By understanding these differences, we can select the appropriate protocol for our EV charging infrastructure to ensure reliable and efficient communication between charging stations and back-end systems.