Guide
What is OCPP, and do you need it?
OCPP (Open Charge Point Protocol) is the open standard that lets an EV charger communicate with a charging management platform. It is what makes chargers from different manufacturers work with the same software.
What OCPP does
OCPP is an open protocol maintained by the Open Charge Alliance. The charger connects over the internet to a central system, often called a CSMS (Charging Station Management System) or back office, and exchanges messages with it.
Because the protocol is open, you are not tied to the software of one charger manufacturer: you can choose or change the platform, and run chargers from different brands on the same system.
What it enables
With OCPP the platform can see the status of each charger, start and stop sessions remotely, authorize users (for example with RFID cards), collect charging session and energy data for reporting or billing, update settings and firmware, and limit charging power from the back office.
| Need | Without OCPP | With OCPP |
|---|---|---|
| One charger at home | App and RFID on the charger | Optional |
| Several chargers, one company | Each charger managed separately | All chargers in one platform |
| Billing users or tenants | Manual readings | Session data from the platform |
| Public charging operator | Not practical | Standard requirement |
Versions
The most widely deployed version is OCPP 1.6 (usually 1.6J, using JSON over WebSocket). OCPP 2.0.1 adds richer device management, security profiles and smart charging features. Your platform provider will tell you which version it supports.
Do you need it?
For a single home charger, the app, RFID or free charging is usually enough. OCPP becomes important when you manage several chargers, need reporting or billing, work with a charge point operator, or want to choose your software independently of the hardware.
OCPP on Bora chargers
Bora chargers support OCPP 1.6J as an option, so they can connect to any management platform that speaks OCPP 1.6J. For public sites, the Bora 22 Pro adds a MID energy meter and a 4G modem, so the charger stays connected to the platform without local Wi-Fi. Tell us which platform you use and we will confirm the setup.