PowerFlex X Is OCPP 2.0.1 Certified, Offering Advanced EV Charging Management Capabilities

The electric vehicle charging landscape is ever-evolving, and the software platforms that manage it need to keep pace. PowerFlex is proud to announce that PowerFlex X™, our industry-leading charging station management system (CSMS), is officially OCPP 2.0.1 certified by the Open Charge Alliance.

This certification is more than a technical achievement. It is a verified, independent confirmation that PowerFlex X meets the most rigorous current standard for EV charging communication, and a meaningful signal to our customers that their infrastructure is built on a flexible, future-proof foundation.

What Is OCPP 2.0.1?

Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) is the globally recognized open communication standard governing how EV charging stations talk to the software platforms that manage them. It serves as a common language across the EV charging ecosystem, enabling hardware and software from different manufacturers to work together reliably without proprietary lock-in.

OCPP 2.0.1, introduced in 2020 and recognized as an international IEC standard (IEC63584) in 2024, represents a major generational step forward from its predecessor, OCPP 1.6. While the earlier version established the basics of charging communication, OCPP 2.0.1 is built to meet the demands of a more sophisticated industry — one that requires tighter security, deeper device visibility, richer data reporting, and smarter energy management.

OCPP is an open standard, which matters enormously for organizations that deploy EV charging infrastructure. Open standards mean organizations can evaluate, procure, and update charging hardware and management software independently. Software choices don't dictate equipment decisions, and software upgrades don't require swapping out hardware. For organizations making long-term investments in charging infrastructure, this flexibility is critical.

What OCPP 2.0.1 Certification Actually Means

There is an important difference between a software vendor saying they support a protocol and being certified to it. OCPP 2.0.1 certification is issued only after testing against the Open Charge Alliance's official OCPP Compliance Test Tool at an OCA-authorized laboratory. The resulting certificate is published in OCA's public register with a unique certificate number — a transparent, verifiable record that any customer or regulator can look up.

What OCPP 2.0.1 Enables in PowerFlex X

OCPP 2.0.1 adds advanced functionality to what's already an industry-leading software platform. Here is what PowerFlex X users can expect:

Deep Device Management and Visibility

One of the most significant advancements in OCPP 2.0.1 is how it transforms the relationship between a management platform and the charging hardware it oversees. PowerFlex X can now reach into individual charging stations to retrieve detailed configuration data, make targeted remote adjustments, and track equipment health at a level older protocols couldn't support. For operators managing large networks, this means shifting from reactive maintenance to a proactive approach: identifying potential issues before they disrupt service and resolving problems faster when they do arise.

Hardened Security Architecture

OCPP 2.0.1's Advanced Security certification requires Transport Layer Security (TLS) with client-side authentication, meaning both ends of every charger-to-platform connection are cryptographically verified. For customers deploying charging infrastructure in high-traffic commercial environments, managing publicly funded networks, or operating under data security requirements, this level of assurance is non-negotiable.

Richer Transaction Intelligence

The data generated by EV charging sessions is valuable for billing accuracy, usage analysis, compliance reporting, and infrastructure planning. OCPP 2.0.1 significantly expands the depth and quality of transaction and event data that PowerFlex X can capture and surface. Operators gain clearer insight into how, when, and by whom chargers are being used, and have better information at hand when investigating anomalies or producing reports for program administrators or utility partners.

Advanced Smart Charging

PowerFlex has long been known for its energy optimization capabilities, both at the charging level with its patented Adaptive Load Management^® technology and at the site and portfolio level with its built-in energy management system.

OCPP 2.0.1 takes those capabilities even further. The protocol supports sophisticated charging profile structures that allow PowerFlex X to layer multiple scheduling and power constraints simultaneously, enabling precise control over how electricity is distributed across a charging site.

For locations with constrained electrical capacity, this means more charging sessions supported with the same infrastructure, demand peaks smoothed more effectively, and energy costs kept in check—without the need to invest in costly electrical upgrades.

ISO 15118 Compatibility

OCPP 2.0.1 supports ISO 15118, the international standard that defines how electric vehicles communicate directly with charging equipment. This interoperability layer is what makes features like Plug & Charge possible, where a driver simply connects a cable and charging begins automatically, with authentication and payment handled in the background. It also helps PowerFlex X support V2X (vehicle-to-everything) functions that enable sites to leverage electric vehicles as energy storage assets that can interface with buildings and the power grid.

Why OCPP 2.0.1 Certification Matters for PowerFlex Customers

At the macro level, OCPP 2.0.1 certification translates into real benefits for PowerFlex customers that go well beyond a new feature set.

• Regulatory Confidence: The California Energy Commission will require OCPP 2.0.1 certification as a condition for deploying or operating publicly funded EV charging infrastructure starting on September 28, 2026. By building on PowerFlex X, customers can meet those requirements with a certified, independently validated platform.
• ‍True Hardware Freedom: OCPP 2.0.1 certification reinforces PowerFlex X as the largest hardware-agnostic CSMS in the United States, giving customers confidence that their management platform will remain compatible as they expand, upgrade, or diversify their charging hardware over time.
• ‍An Investment Built to Last: Open, certified standards are the best insurance against obsolescence, ensuring today's deployment remains viable and upgradeable as the industry evolves, without forcing disruptive platform migrations or costly hardware replacements.
• ‍Operational Performance at Scale: The enhanced diagnostics, configuration control, and transaction reporting enabled by OCPP 2.0.1 translate into measurable operational outcomes: higher network uptime, faster issue resolution, and better data to drive smarter decisions.

Try PowerFlex X Today  

Whether you are expanding a commercial fleet charging program, adding amenity charging to a multifamily property, building out a public network, or ensuring your charging infrastructure meets new regulatory requirements, PowerFlex X gives you a certified foundation to build on with confidence. Contact one of our experts today to schedule a no-commitment demo.