OCPI – the universal communication standard for CPOs

OCPI

OCPI – the universal communication standard for CPOs 

What is OCPI anyway?
OCPI is an abbreviation for Open Charge Point Interface. The name says it all. However, this does not mean that the charging points themselves pass on information, but rather that charging point operators share information with e-mobility service providers. In other words, OCPI is a communication standard based on APIs – mechanisms that enable two software components to communicate with each other using standardized definitions and protocols. 

Why is the charging station interface open?
Because OCPI is open to many different participants. This means that OCPI enables simple and automated collaboration between charging station operators and other providers of e-mobility services.  

What does that mean?
OCPI can help with this, for example: 

  • Authorising charging processes 
  • Exchanging information about charging stations and their use 
  • Submitting charging reports 
  • Processing intelligent charging commands 

What is so practical about OCPI?
OCPI enables flexible communication between the different parties, which can be expanded as required. Overall, this makes charging electric vehicles more efficient. 

  • OCPI is AFIR-compliant: OCPI supports the Open Charge Metering Format, or OCMF for short. This means that electricity is measured in a standardized way. As a result, the correctness and thus the conformity of the transmitted data with the calibration office is guaranteed.  
  • OCPI is tried & tested and manufacturer-independent: With OCPI, different manufacturers can link their software with each other. Some proprietary solutions require additional programming effort. With the OCPI solution, this is not a problem because the connection is almost always identical. To put it simply: OCPI is an interface “language” that is “spoken” by many programmes, making it easy to understand and ready for use in many applications. 

Which versions are in circulation? 

  • Version 2.1.1 is the original version of the communication standard 
  • Version 2.2.1 is already partially implemented 
  • Version 3.0 is currently not yet very widespread 

How do we use OCPI in direct payment for e-mobility?

E-nfinity solution and OCPI

The diagram illustrates where FINETELLIGENCE‘s E-nfinity Solution connects and exactly which features it covers. The OCPI interface – or a proprietary interface in its place – connects the charge point management system, or CPMS for short, of a CPO with our multi-protocol router, or MPR for short. This means that our software knows how much an electric vehicle has already charged and, in combination with the Enterprise Management Portal (EMP), can create a receipt and process the payment. 

How does OCPI work? 

OCPI has many modules – for example, location, sessions or tariffs. Depending on the module, different data is transmitted and queried. In the so-called command module, these are classically the commands to the charging station: “Start charging” and “Stop charging”.  

Among this multitude of modules, some are also optional for direct payment. FINETELLIGENCE therefore does not necessarily require the complete OCPI interface. To correctly display the tariffs for charged electricity, for example, we need master data and the respective session of the charging process at the respective location. This allows us to access information about the charging process, the vehicle’s state of charge, and the charging power and to process the payment correctly.

The great thing about OCPI is that all this information can be communicated via a single interface. 

SIMPLY FLEXIBLE

Our solution is particularly flexible and supports both the direct integration of a terminal into a charging station and a decentralized kiosk for operating several charging stations. You can therefore design your charging park entirely according to your wishes. Our Direct Payment works independently of your charging station management system (CPMS) and allows you to integrate various charging station manufacturers into your portfolio, while you only need one payment software.

SIMPLY TRANSPARENT

Our software offers transparent prices and enables quick and easy integration. We think outside the box and therefore support numerous protocols. Direct contracts with acquirers mean there are no hidden costs for CPOs. This enables attractive pricing for the end user. The existing CPMS remains usable, even in the event of future changes. Our solution guarantees even more future security, as it can continue to be used in the event of a backend change.

SIMPLY LEGALLY COMPLIANT

Our payment solutions are legally compliant worldwide and take 100% account of national tax laws - including AFIR, of course. Read more about AFIR here Our solutions are already being used successfully for charging parks in various countries. Thanks to our sister company RetailForce, we offer in-house expertise in tax-compliant document creation that has proven itself in practice. Our solution is internationally scalable and enables simple payment with innovative payment methods.

SIMPLY INDIVIDUAL

With more than two decades of experience, we are true payment experts. Our payment solution is already in daily use in many countries. This means that it is not only mature and proven, but also ready to use. During the payment process, your customers can use a QR code to transfer their receipt to their mobile phone.

SIMPLY PROVEN IN PRACTISE

With more than two decades of experience, we are true payment experts. Our payment solution is already in daily use in many countries. This means that it is not only mature and proven, but also ready to use. During the payment process, your customers can use a QR code to transfer their receipt to their mobile phone.