CharIN reported the publication of ISO 15118-20 Amendment 1, an update to the communication standard used between electric vehicles and charging infrastructure. The amendment formally adds dedicated communication procedures and requirements for the Megawatt Charging System.
Key facts
- Dedicated ISO 15118-20 communication procedures are added for MCS.
- New AC DER services support advanced smart and bidirectional energy use cases.
- The amendment strengthens the charging-communication security architecture.
Context and details
This development should be read in the wider context of a charging market that is changing quickly. A published proposal, a pilot, an adopted standard and an operational service are not the same stage. The original source therefore remains important for confirming the exact geography, timetable, participants, technical scope and any limitations that apply.
For drivers and property owners, the practical effect depends on more than the headline. Availability, connector compatibility, charging power, payment method, access hours, network capacity and maintenance all determine whether a new service or rule will be useful in everyday use. For a private installation, the electrical panel, cable route, protection, earthing and load management still need to be checked on site.
It also introduces AC Distributed Energy Resources services to support more advanced smart and bidirectional energy interaction, and it strengthens the protocol’s security architecture. These additions are intended to support future vehicles, heavy-duty charging and closer integration with the electricity system.
A published communication standard does not mean that every existing charger immediately gains these functions. Vehicles, chargers, backend systems, certificates and local grid rules all need compatible implementations before Plug & Charge, V2G or MCS features work in practice.
Why it matters
The useful lesson is to look beyond a headline number or announcement. A charging project must be checked for real operating status, available power, connector compatibility, payment access and maintenance. For a private installation, the electrical panel, cable route, protection, earthing and load management still determine the correct solution.
What it means in practice
For installation, regulation, pricing or route-planning decisions, open the original source and check whether a newer official update has been published.
What to verify before acting
Before planning a trip, buying equipment or ordering an installation, open the original publication and check whether a newer official update has appeared. Confirm that the information applies to the relevant location and vehicle, and distinguish between announced capacity and equipment that is already connected and available. This approach avoids decisions based only on a headline or an outdated number.