What is OCPP? How your charger will soon connect directly to Revvolt
OCPP is the open standard charging stations use to talk to management systems. Learn what it is, how it works and why it will soon be the key to earning EREs with almost any charger brand through Revvolt.
Do you have a charging station from Alfen, Peblar, Ratio or another brand without a connection in our portal? Chances are your charger speaks OCPP — the open standard charging stations use to communicate with management systems worldwide. It will soon let you connect directly to Revvolt, without the manufacturer needing to offer a separate API. Here's what OCPP is, how it works and what it means for your EREs.
What is OCPP?
OCPP stands for Open Charge Point Protocol — an open, manufacturer-independent "language" a charging station uses to talk to a management system over the internet. The standard was actually born in the Netherlands and is supported by virtually every serious manufacturer, usually in version 1.6.
Think of it like email: it doesn't matter which brand of phone you own — email works everywhere, because everyone speaks the same standard. In the same way, an Alfen, Peblar or Ratio talks via OCPP to any management system that supports the standard. Soon, that includes Revvolt's.
How does it work?
An OCPP charging station itself opens a secure connection, over your Wi-Fi or internet connection, to one management system. To set that up you enter three things in the charger (or your brand's installer app):
- The server address of the management system — soon a unique Revvolt address you'll get in our portal.
- Your charger's identity — a unique code we create for you.
- A secret key — shown only to you, pasted once into your charger.
Once configured, your charging station announces itself to us and we recognise it automatically: the charger itself reports its brand, model and serial number. From that moment we receive the meter data of every charging session — start and end meter readings, start and end time — straight from the charger, with no manufacturer in between.
Why does this matter for your EREs?
- Almost every brand can join. Brands without a public cloud API — like Alfen, by far the most popular Dutch charger without a connection — become connectable after all. Chargers whose manufacturer platform shut down (like EVBox) can get a new home too.
- The data comes straight from the meter in your charger. ERE registration is about the kWh reading of the (MID) meter; via OCPP we receive it first-hand, with start and end readings per session. That's a strong, auditable basis for your registration.
- Some chargers can even attach digitally signed meter readings (for example Peblar with Eichrecht certification) — the highest evidence level there is.
Note: an built-in MID meter remains the requirement for earning EREs, also via OCPP — check your model in the charger check. And as always, you confirm at which address the charging station is installed when connecting.
When can I use this?
We're building our OCPP connection right now. If your brand has a cloud connection (Easee, Enphase, NexBlue, Volt Time, Wallbox, Smappee), you can connect through the portal today. For OCPP brands we'll publish a step-by-step guide per brand — where to find the setting, whether an installer is needed, and what happens to your manufacturer app — the moment the connection goes live. Want to know whether your model qualifies? The charger check has the answer.
Frequently asked questions
Does OCPP work with my charger brand?
Almost every modern charging station supports OCPP 1.6 — including Alfen, Peblar, Ratio, Webasto, SolarEdge, Wallbox and many others. Where you find the setting differs per brand, and some require an installer; dedicated step-by-step guides per brand are coming to this help center.
Do I lose my manufacturer's app if I use OCPP?
It differs per brand. Some brands (like Wallbox) keep their app features alongside an OCPP connection; other chargers (like many Alfen models) have no consumer app to begin with, so nothing is lost. The per-brand guides will spell this out.
Is an OCPP connection secure?
Yes. The connection is encrypted (TLS) and your charger identifies itself with a unique address and a secret key that only you enter into your charger. Only your charger can link its data to your account.
When can I connect my charger to Revvolt via OCPP?
We're building it now. Brands with a cloud API (like Easee, Wallbox and Volt Time) can already be connected today; as soon as the OCPP connection goes live, you'll find exact setup steps per brand right here.
Ready to earn with your charger?
Create a free account — Revvolt handles NEa registration, the sale and the payout of your EREs.