Can Dual-Port DC Chargers Help Fleets Work More Efficiently?
December 22, 2024
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The electric vehicle market is growing rapidly and global sales are expected to reach 17 million units by 2024.
When we are purchasing EV Chargers, we can often see the word ISO 15118 on the specification provided by the seller/EV charger manufacturer, and it is also often on the highlights of EV Charger distributor’s website.
If you are new to EV chargers, you may be wondering, what is ISO 15118?What is ISO 14443?Will they bring me a different charging experience? Why is ISO 15118 divided into types A and B.
In short, ISO 15118 is responsible for the communication between the charging pile and the EV, while ISO 14443 focuses on authentication and contactless payment.
This article will focus on ISO 15118 and ISO 14443, providing a detailed explanation of how they work, what they are actually used for, and the differences between them for novice EV users.
If you regularly use the NFC( Near-field communication)function on your cellphone, the concept of ISO 14443 is much easier for you to understand.
ISO 14443 is an international standard that focuses on proximity communications and is used to define communication protocols between contactless smart cards (such as RFID cards) and card readers. It is mainly used for authentication, payment systems, and some access control and security systems.
Key features of the ISO 14443 standard:
On the other hand, NFC is a short-range wireless communication technology based on the 13.56 MHz frequency band that supports fast and secure data transmission.NFC is essentially based on ISO/IEC 14443 and parts of ISO/IEC 18092.
ISO 15118 is not directly related to NFC. ISO 15118 enables data interaction mainly through wired communication (e.g. charging cables), while NFC is based on wireless near field communication. They are therefore suitable for different scenarios.
Feature | ISO 14443 | NFC |
Technical Standard | ISO/IEC 14443 A and B | Based on ISO/IEC 14443 and ISO/IEC 18092 |
Communication Range | Typically within 10 cm | Short range, usually 4–10 cm |
Functionality | Focuses on card-to-reader communication | Supports card communication, peer-to-peer, and read/write modes |
Applications | RFID cards, access control, payment authentication | Mobile payments, file sharing, device pairing |
ISO 15118 is an international standard that defines a communication protocol between electric vehicles and charging stations to enable intelligent charging functionality. It introduces a number of new technologies for EV charging, in particular the Plug & Charge function, which enables plug-and-charge charging without the need for manual start-up or payment operations.
The Plug & Charge function allows the user to connect the vehicle to the charging station and the system automatically completes the authentication, billing and charging start. This feature is based on digital certificates to ensure secure communication.
ISO 15118 supports the Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) function, which allows EVs to exchange energy with the grid in both directions, helping to balance the load on the grid.
The standard uses advanced encryption technology (e.g. TLS 1.2/1.3) to ensure secure data transmission between charging stations and EVs.
ISO 15118 is compatible with a variety of hardware interfaces (e.g. CCS charging standard) and supports future protocol upgrades.
The EV is connected to the charging stack via the CCS interface (combined with AC/DC charging). At this point the physical connection is established and the communication protocol starts to work.
The vehicle sends a digital certificate to the charger using the ISO 15118 protocol, and the charger sends the authentication information to the cloud server. After successful authntication, the system automatically deducts the fee from the user’s account.
The protocol dynamically adjusts the charging power to optimise charging efficiency, while monitoring voltage, current and other parameters during the charging process in real time.
When the charge is complete, the system automatically disconnects and generates a detailed invoice.
ISO 15118 is a protocol for communication between electric vehicles and charging stations, supporting features such as Plug & Charge and Smart Charge Management. The division between A and B is mainly based on compatibility requirements and functionality extensions.
ISO 15118-2 (conventional charging):
Defines the communication framework between EVs and charging stations, including message exchange and authentication. This is the most common implementation and supports conventional AC and DC charging.
ISO 15118-20 (Enhancements):
This is an enhanced version of ISO 15118 that supports more advanced features such as wireless charging, dynamic load management and advanced payment options. Classification into A and B ensures support for a wider range of technical requirements while maintaining compatibility with older versions.
The A and B classification allows hardware or software developers to implement different functional modules based on specific requirements. For example, some charging points may only support basic authentication (A), while other more complex scenarios may require a higher level of security or more functionality (B).
Although both ISO 15118 and ISO 14443 deal with data communication, their scope and core functions are quite different. ISO 15118 is a high-level protocol designed for complex interactions between EVs and charging points, whereas ISO 14443 is more focused on simple, efficient proximity communication, typically used in card-based authentication or payment scenarios.
Feature | ISO 15118 | ISO 14443 |
Application Field | Communication protocol between EVs and charging stations | Communication protocol for contactless cards (e.g., RFID) and readers |
Functionality |
|
|
Communication Method | Wired (via charging cable between EV and station) | Wireless (13.56 MHz near-field communication). |
Devices Used | Electric vehicles, charging stations | RFID cards, smart cards. |
Protocol Layer | Includes high-level protocols for complex data transfer and encryption. | Focuses on physical and low-level protocols, simpler data transmission. |
Security | Advanced encryption and authentication mechanisms. | Supports encryption but with lower complexity and security. |
In practical applications, ISO 15118 and ISO 14443 A/B can be used in combination to provide EV users with more flexible charging methods. The following are common scenarios:
In corporate fleet management, vehicle usage rights can be identified by ISO 14443 A/B and automated billing can be achieved by combining with ISO 15118.
The Plug & Charge feature supported by ISO 15118 enhances the seamless experience, while ISO 14443 A/B ensures compatibility with charging requirements for traditional authentication methods.
Many electric vehicle owners and charging operators face a dilemma when choosing a charger with either ISO 14443 or ISO 15118 protocol. Most chargers are compatible with ISO 14443, while ISO 15118 chargers are more expensive but offer a smoother, more advanced charging experience. Our advice on choosing the right standard is summarised below:
The electric vehicle market is growing rapidly and global sales are expected to reach 17 million units by 2024.
The electric vehicle market is growing rapidly and global sales are expected to reach 17 million units by 2024.
The electric vehicle market is growing rapidly and global sales are expected to reach 17 million units by 2024.