ChargeLab

🔌 OCPP 1.6 vs OCPP 2.0.1: What We’ve Learned Running Both at Scale At ChargeLab we’ve implemented and operated a CSMS supporting OCPP 1.6 across a large commercial charging fleet — and in 2024, we added full support for OCPP 2.0.1 to work with modern hardware and ISO 15118 Plug & Charge. After running both protocols in production, some differences become very clear: 💡How plug-in-first workflows actually behave in the real world 💡Why OCPP 1.6 status handling leads to ambiguity across vendors 💡How the OCPP 2.0.1 device model changes visibility, control, and interoperability 💡What improved offline support and Plug & Charge really unlock for operators In this article, we break down the practical pros, tradeoffs, and implementation realities of each version — from both the charger firmware and CSMS perspectives. If you’re: ⚡ operating an EV charging network ⚡ building charger firmware ⚡ evaluating an upgrade from OCPP 1.6 ⚡ or planning new deployments with OCPP 2.0.1 this comparison should help inform your decision. 👉 Read the full article here: https://hubs.la/Q03YKptY0

🚗⚡ New to the EV industry—or just looking to level up your EV charging knowledge? ChargeLab’s most popular industry knowledge article is the perfect place to start. 👉 The complete guide to Level 1 vs. Level 2 vs. Level 3 charging for EVs How charging station levels compare, and what you need to know to ensure a smooth deployment One of the biggest barriers to EV adoption is simple: understanding how charging works. For resellers, installers, property managers, or anyone building a business in the EV space, learning the ABCs—or rather, the 1-2-3s—of EV charger levels is essential. This guide breaks down: 🔌 What Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 chargers are ⚡ How fast each one charges 💰 Their cost differences 🏙️ Ideal use cases for homes, businesses, and commercial EV fleets 🔧 How hardware + software choices impact your deployment If you’ve ever wondered: • What’s the difference between Level 2 and Level 3 charging? • How long does each level take to charge an EV? • Which chargers are compatible with which vehicles? • How do you choose the right mix of chargers for your site? …we’ve got you covered. This article remains a favorite because it makes the complex simple—and helps organizations invest in the right infrastructure from day one. 📘 Read the full guide: The complete guide to Level 1 vs. Level 2 vs. Level 3 charging for EVs https://hubs.la/Q03V0vR80 Whether you’re just entering the EV world or brushing up on fundamentals, this guide will help you understand the different types of chargers. And if you’re managing multiple charging sites, ChargeLab’s hardware-agnostic CSMS gives you a single dashboard to monitor chargers, balance loads, and handle payments—no matter the brand. Let’s build the future of EV charging, one informed decision at a time. ⚡🌎

🚀 Boosting charger reliability: how we’re proactively reducing session failures At ChargeLab, we know reliability isn’t just about uptime—it’s about every driver being able to start and finish a successful charging session. Our latest post dives into how we’re using our Spark™ platform and a suite of proactive reliability tools to catch issues before they impact drivers—raising session success rates across thousands of chargers. 💡 Here’s a sneak peek at what’s inside: ✅ Smarter, safer reboots that preempt failures without disrupting drivers ✅ Automatic configuration enforcement that eliminates silent misconfigurations ✅ Carefully managed firmware updates that boost reliability without downtime The results? 1.75% improvement in session success rate across pilot sites 17% reduction in failed sessions for L2 chargers 3% success rate improvement post firmware updates We’re scaling these improvements across our network to make EV charging “just work.” 👉 Read the full story: https://lnkd.in/dgcjh52h

At ChargeLab, our Support team is often the first to hear when something isn’t working — and the first to turn those moments around. From late-night driver calls to urgent partner deployments, this team shows up with calm, clarity, and commitment every single day. They don’t just fix problems; they help people get back on the road. In our latest blog post, Customer Support Manager John Dalmau shares how his team uses Customer Satisfaction (CSAT) feedback to drive better outcomes, stronger collaboration, and lasting trust. 👉 Read how our Support team transforms feedback into action: https://hubs.la/Q03PpngR0

⚡ Why bundling EV charging hardware and software just makes sense As EV charging networks scale, complexity is often the biggest threat to reliability. Multiple charger brands. Multiple software platforms. Multiple support workflows. Bundling certified EV charging hardware with a hardware-agnostic CSMS solves this—giving operators flexibility without vendor lock-in, faster deployments, and real performance visibility across their network. We break down: ✔ Why bundling improves reliability ✔ How it simplifies operations at scale ✔ Who benefits most—from fleets to multifamily to municipalities 👉 Read the full article: https://hubs.la/Q03YkRJr0

🚀 EV charger troubleshooting just got way easier. ChargeLab just launched Spark™ AI Chat—an interactive assistant that helps network operators and support agents diagnose charging issues in seconds. No more digging through OCPP logs. No more guessing why a session failed. Just ask Spark™, and it shows the evidence. In a real example, Spark™ pinpointed a faulty connector by analyzing: 🔹 Failed sessions 🔹 Missing StartTransaction requests 🔹 Meter values 🔹 OCPP event sequences 🔹 Connectivity checks The result? A fast fix and a 100% visit success rate after replacement. 🔗 Read the full walkthrough here: https://hubs.la/Q03VZ0n-0