Overview
EN ISO 15118-20:2022/A1:2026 is an important amendment to the ISO 15118-20 standard, driving innovation in electric vehicle (EV) charging and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) communication. This amendment, titled Road vehicles – Vehicle to grid communication interface – Part 20: 2nd generation network layer and application layer requirements – Amendment 1: AC DER service, MCS service, and improved security concept, introduces extended functionality for Distributed Energy Resources (DER), enhanced support for the Megawatt Charging System (MCS), and an improved security model to address emerging needs in e-mobility infrastructure.
Released by CEN (the European Committee for Standardization), this amendment enhances interoperability, security, and functional features related to AC DER (Alternating Current Distributed Energy Resource) services, MCS (high-power charging), and certificate-based security for EV and charging equipment manufacturers, infrastructure operators, service providers, and mobility integrators.
Key Topics
- AC DER Service
Enhances support for vehicles acting as distributed energy resources during AC charging, aligning electric vehicles with smart grid integration and ancillary grid services.
- MCS Service
Specifies requirements for communication supporting the Megawatt Charging System, crucial for high-power, ultra-fast charging of heavy-duty vehicles and commercial fleets.
- Improved Security Concept
Introduces advanced requirements for certificate management, OCSP (Online Certificate Status Protocol) configurations, secure authentication, and improved cryptographic practices in V2G communication, fortifying data integrity and trust within the EV ecosystem.
- Protocol and Layer Updates
Integrates updated terminology, interface definitions, and requirements for 2nd-generation network and application layers, ensuring future-proof compatibility for evolving EV charging topologies.
Applications
Organizations developing or operating electric mobility solutions can use EN ISO 15118-20:2022/A1:2026 to:
- Enable Smart Charging and Grid Integration
- Implement AC DER capabilities allowing vehicles to function as grid-supportive distributed energy resources.
- Facilitate bi-directional energy flow for vehicle-to-grid (V2G) services in residential, commercial, or public charging scenarios.
- Support High-Power Commercial EV Charging
- Develop and deploy MCS-enabled infrastructure for buses, trucks, and other heavy-duty vehicles requiring ultra-fast charging cycles and robust interoperability.
- Boost Security in EV Charging Infrastructure
- Apply enhanced certificate validation and cryptographic controls to safeguard communication channels, protect user data, and meet industry or regulatory requirements.
- Ensure Cross-Vendor Interoperability
- Align products and solutions with the 2nd generation communication protocols, allowing seamless operation across diverse charging stations, back-end management systems, and smart grid platforms.
Related Standards
EN ISO 15118-20:2022/A1:2026 refers to and complements several core standards within the e-mobility and V2G domain, including:
- ISO 15118 Series:
- ISO 15118-2: Defines first-generation V2G communication for AC and DC charging.
- ISO 15118-3, -8, -10: Further detail the physical/data link layer, wireless charging profiles, and single-pair Ethernet communication mechanisms relevant to new functionalities in Amendment 1.
- IEC 61851-23-3:
Electrical power/energy transfer systems for high-power charging (MCS) compatibility and safety.
- IETF RFC 6960, RFC 8032:
Cover technical underpinnings required for OCSP validation and cryptographic schemes adopted in the improved security model.
By incorporating the requirements of EN ISO 15118-20:2022/A1:2026, stakeholders in the electric mobility value chain can be confident their solutions are future-ready, interoperable, secure, and capable of supporting rapid progress in both consumer and commercial EV charging networks. This amendment is a key reference for aligning with the latest V2G, DER, and high-power charging standards.
