OCPP 1.6 vs OCPP 2.0.1: Which Protocol Should Your Charging Platform Support?
OCPP is the most important open protocol in the EV charging industry. It defines how chargers communicate with backend management systems. For operators and manufacturers, choosing between OCPP 1.6 and OCPP 2.0.1 affects compatibility, security, compliance and long-term scalability.
OCPP 1.6: The established baseline
OCPP 1.6 is still widely used because many existing chargers support it. It covers basic charging control, remote configuration, transaction records and firmware updates. For projects with limited budgets or legacy hardware, OCPP 1.6 remains practical.
However, it has limitations. Security features are optional, device modeling is limited, and advanced smart charging capabilities are not as complete as newer versions.
OCPP 2.0.1: The modern standard for new projects
OCPP 2.0.1 brings stronger security, better device management and more advanced smart charging. It supports TLS encryption, certificate-based authentication, improved transaction handling and richer monitoring data.
Many new overseas projects prefer OCPP 2.0.1 because it aligns better with modern compliance requirements and enterprise-grade operations.
Which version should you choose?
- Use OCPP 1.6 if you need to connect existing chargers, control costs, or support legacy deployments.
- Use OCPP 2.0.1 if you are building a new network, entering regulated markets, or planning long-term scalability.
- Support both if your platform must serve mixed hardware fleets and multiple regions.
A flexible charging platform should not force you to choose one protocol forever. Instead, it should allow different charger models and protocol versions to coexist under the same operator dashboard.