Why China opposes OCPP 2.0.1
Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) is the world’s leading communication protocol for electric vehicle (EV) charging networks. It plays a strategic role in boosting interoperability, driving the digitalization of infrastructure, and ensuring global market compatibility. OCPP 2.0.1 has been adopted as IEC 63584, marking a technological milestone in smart charging, Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G), and security for EV infrastructure.
However, at the end of 2023, when OCPP 2.0.1 was submitted for approval as an IEC international standard, the Chinese National Committee voted against its adoption. The main reasons are as follows:
▶ 1. Conflict Between International and Local Standards
China has established a comprehensive set of charging communication protocols, such as GB/T 27930, which supports its vast charging infrastructure nationwide. OCPP, as a globally open protocol, reflects the trend towards international interoperability. By rejecting OCPP, China demonstrates a commitment to standard autonomy, impacting the interconnection between China’s ecosystem and the international community and posing challenges to global companies in investment and product exports to China.
▶ 2. High Transition and Implementation Costs
OCPP 2.0.1 is not fully compatible with existing Chinese charging infrastructure, most of which is based on the GB/T standard. If OCPP 2.0.1 were to be widely implemented, it would require substantial upgrades or replacements for existing devices and backend systems, increasing the burden on enterprises.
▶ 3. Signals for Technology Integration and Future International Collaboration
As the global EV market expands, standard coordination has become inevitable. China’s decision drew international attention and prompted industry players to consider how to balance local innovation with international compatibility. Prolonged standard fragmentation may impede seamless cross-border charging services, affecting the overall user experience and global market integration.
▶ 4. Impacts on Sustainable Industry Development and Policy
Electrified transport is crucial to achieving global carbon neutrality. Diverging standards not only raise innovation and compliance costs for enterprises but also hamper global cooperation on green transition. By opposing OCPP in key international standards settings, China influences the strategies of global charging station manufacturers, operators, and technology suppliers, further spurring discussions on the openness of standards and industrial autonomy.
▶ 5. Local Security and Compliance Considerations
China has stringent requirements regarding data and network security. While OCPP 2.0.1 has advanced international security mechanisms, certain requirements specific to Chinese regulations remain unmet. Concerns about local data sovereignty and regulatory compliance also drive China to prioritize its own standards.
▶ Outlook
Although OCPP 2.0.1 stands out as a technologically advanced international protocol, China will not adopt it on a large scale in the short term due to its unique technological context and policy goals. In the future, as technological integration and international cooperation deepen, OCPP and China’s standards could achieve compatibility or mutual recognition in certain applications, jointly advancing global electric mobility and decarbonization.
To address compatibility challenges between China and the international market, Shenzhen Huizhi Technology has introduced an OCPP protocol gateway. This solution effectively helps Chinese charging station manufacturers achieve OCPP compatibility for exports.