OCPI: The key protocol to connect your electric vehicle charger

OCPI and the OICP-OCPI protocol have become the common language of interoperability in electric vehicle charging: they allow a single app to activate charging points from multiple networks and countries, which is key in a European market that already exceeds hundreds of thousands of operational public charging points.

At V2C, we know that these standards are the technological foundation on which to build a truly simple, transparent, and future-ready charging experience.​

What is the OICP – OCPI protocol and why does it matter when charging your electric car

The OICP – OCPI protocol is a communication standard that connects charging point operators and mobility service platforms so that drivers can use different networks with a single application or card. In practice, it enables you to open an app in Spain and start a charging session at a point located in Germany, France, or the United Kingdom without changing providers.​

At V2C, we work to ensure that our chargers speak this common language and integrate seamlessly into the main electric mobility ecosystems. When a charging point connects via OCPI, it becomes part of a much larger virtual network, where different actors share real-time information on availability, prices, and charging sessions.​

• Standard communication protocol for EV charging networks.​
• Allows activation of charging points from other countries and operators from a single app.​
• Facilitates electric roaming and interoperability between platforms.​
• Increases visibility and usage of each connected charging point.

What is the relationship between OCPI and the different charging agents (CPO, e-MSP, and manufacturers like V2C)

OCPI describes how three major actors communicate: those who physically manage the charging points, those who provide the service to the end user, and those of us who manufacture the technology that enables that communication. This triangle is essential to understand how a driver can charge their vehicle anywhere in Europe using a single credential.​

At the center are the CPO (Charging Point Operators), companies that operate and maintain the charging stations and decide the usage conditions of those points. Next to them are the e-MSP or EMP (e-Mobility Service Providers), platforms that offer the driver the app, RFID card, point search experience, session history, and billing, without needing to own any charger. OCPI defines how data is exchanged between both (location, availability, prices, authorizations, sessions) so that the flow is automatic and secure.​

• CPO: operator and responsible for the physical charging point.​
• e-MSP/EMP: platform that offers the app and service to the end user.​
• OCPI: data bridge between CPO and e-MSP (location, status, prices, sessions).​
• V2C: Spanish manufacturer that adapts its technology to fit into this interoperable ecosystem.

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How OCPI helps activate charging points in other countries from a single platform

OCPI simplifies a very common question among users: “How can I charge my car in another country without changing apps every time I cross a border?”. The answer lies in electric roaming: networks understand each other thanks to a common protocol, and the driver only sees a list of available points on their screen.​

When a CPO publishes its network via OCPI, its points can appear in the apps of different e-MSPs, as long as there is an agreement between the parties. Thus, an application used in Spain can show and activate charging points in the United Kingdom or Germany because those networks share information via OCPI or other equivalent roaming protocols. It is important to note that, in many cases, activating a “foreign” point may involve a different fee or an additional commission, as several actors are involved in the chain.​

At V2C, we are very aware of this increasingly international mobility scenario. That’s why we work to ensure that our systems integrate into platforms that leverage OCPI, so that a charging point equipped with V2C technology can be visible to as many European drivers as possible.​

• Allows using the same app to charge in different countries and networks.​
• Charging points are “published” to multiple platforms via OCPI.​
• Activating points from external networks may incur additional costs for the end user.​
• V2C adapts its technology so that its infrastructure is fully interoperable and visible.

Why OCPI is strategic for V2C as a Spanish charger manufacturer

For V2C, OCPI is a strategic lever for our customers to get more out of each installed electric car charger. Interoperability means that the investment in a charging point is no longer an isolated asset but integrates into a broader ecosystem, connected and ready to grow.​

By designing and producing in Spain, we have the advantage of adapting our products and management platform to the real needs of the national and European market. OCPI fits this vision because it allows both direct connections between operators and platforms as well as integrations through roaming hubs, offering flexibility for different business models. This translates into more possibilities for companies, fleets, and parking lots that trust V2C for their charging infrastructure.​

• Real interoperability for each V2C point integrated into networks using OCPI.​
• Greater utilization of charging points and better return on investment.​
• Flexibility to operate with different partners and models (direct or via hubs).​
• Development and manufacturing in Spain, focusing on the needs of the local and European market.​​

How to take the next step: installation and incentives linked to smart charging

The technology of protocols like OCPI really makes sense when combined with quality infrastructure and professional installation. At V2C, we accompany the user throughout the process: from choosing the most suitable electric car charger to commissioning and integration with the management platforms they need.​

Moreover, the regulatory context in Spain and Europe offers a range of incentives that can significantly improve the return on investment in charging and electric mobility. When planning an electric car charger installation project, it is crucial to jointly assess the incentives for installing electric car chargers. At V2C, we focus on ensuring that each charging point, in addition to being well-sized and correctly installed, is prepared to connect to the standards that will define mobility in the next decade.​​

Connect with the V2C professional installer network

If you are considering installing a charging point and want your investment to align with the standards that are defining the future of electric mobility, OCPI is a key piece and V2C technology is ready to leverage it.​

We invite you to take the next step and locate your charging point installer within our professional network, so that your project has an optimal installation from day one, compatible with the main protocols and ready for the opportunities brought by the energy transition.