CharIN members and dedicated Focus Groups have driven V2G development within the CCS ecosystem, aligning ISO 15118-2 and 15118-20 protocols with the CCS Step Model Extended/Advanced. This ensures interoperability for bidirectional energy transfer, supporting large-scale V2G deployment, grid stability, and integration of renewables across DC and AC charging infrastructures.
Current initiatives and past collaborations
CharIN is actively shaping the future of V2G integration through strong collaboration in standardization, international partnerships, and hands-on industry projects.
- Within dedicated V2G Working Groups, members closely synchronize with the European Steering Committee Grid Code work stream to ensure smart and bidirectional charging requirements are reflected in upcoming European grid codes.
- On a global scale, CharIN has established an official partnership with the International Energy Agency (IEA) Task 53 to foster knowledge exchange and accelerate deployment worldwide.
- Publication of the new White Paper “CharIN Interoperability Guide 2.0: Minimum Scope for Implementation of ISO 15118-20 DC Bidirectional Power Transfer in Dynamic Control Mode” presents a focused implementation of DC BPT in dynamic mode, covering only the communication aspects to initiate system interoperability testing.
- Beyond policy and standardization, concepts are turned into practice: together with inno2grid, CharIN is launching a joint V2G project and will host a dedicated Testival at the zeemo base at EUREF Campus in Berlin in 2025, bringing industry partners together to validate interoperability and strengthen the ecosystem.
About V2G for AC charging
CharIN is also deeply engaged in addressing the regulatory and technical challenges around AC charging, which plays a key role in the mass adoption of e-mobility. While AC charging is the most common and cost-efficient solution for everyday use, the integration of advanced functionalities such as smart charging and bidirectional power flow brings new requirements. These include ensuring interoperability across different grid operators, aligning with evolving European grid codes, and clarifying regulatory frameworks that are still fragmented across member states today. Within our working groups, CharIN is driving this harmonization effort by contributing technical expertise to standardization bodies and by facilitating dialogue between industry and regulators. Our aim is to ensure that AC charging, just like DC and V2G, can deliver its full potential in a secure, grid-friendly, and user-centric way
What will be tested during the CharIN Testival:
- Tests of mutual TLS
- ISO 15118-20 communication
- Controlled and smart charging
- Bidirectional charging functional tests.
Relevance of V2G testing
The rapid growth of EVs presents opportunities and challenges for our energy infrastructure. As millions of EVs come online, the electricity demand will rise significantly. Most of this additional energy will need to come from renewable sources to ensure a sustainable future. However, renewable generation is often volatile, and this variability can pressure on grid stability.
One of the most promising solutions lies in the EVs themselves. Each electric vehicle is essentially a mobile battery, and when combined, they represent a vast, decentralized energy storage system. Through V2G technologies, EVs can feed power back into the grid when demand peaks or absorb excess energy when renewable production is high. This two-way flow of electricity stabilizes the grid. It opens the door to new services for utilities, distribution system operators (DSOs), and even at the local levels, supporting districts, buildings, and homes (V2X, V2H).
The technology is moving quickly. While only a few EV models on the market today are V2G-capable, most new vehicles are expected to include this functionality in the near future. Charging station and vehicle manufacturers have been working on V2G development for years, and the first wave of products is now arriving. The backbone of this evolution is the ISO 15118-20 standard, which governs V2G functions for DC charging. To ensure seamless operation, all products in this space must comply with these standards.
CharIN and V2G testing
CharIN provides testing opportunities and validated test cases to support the industry, allowing OEMs to evaluate their V2G-capable EVs and charging stations against ISO 15118-20. These interoperability tests also include AC and DC charging scenarios, ensuring that vehicles, charging infrastructure, and energy management systems (EMS) can work together effectively. EMS technologies play a key role in smart charging and load balancing, so they must also align with these global standards.
The collaboration between CharIN and the International Energy Agency’s Task 53 marks a significant step forward in accelerating V2G adoption. This partnership creates a unique bridge between technical validation and strategic knowledge exchange by combining CharIN’s global network and hands-on interoperability testing expertise with Task 53’s international research and policy focus. Joint efforts will ensure that V2G technologies are tested against real-world conditions, aligned with global standards, and supported by consistent regulatory frameworks. This collaboration strengthens the foundation for scaling V2G from pilots to market-ready solutions, ensuring that interoperability, security, and grid integration challenges are coordinated across
CharIN continues to advance V2G through ISO 15118-20-compliant testing, enabling interoperability between EVs, charging stations, and energy management systems. CharIN Working Groups, international collaborations, and practical projects ensure reliable bidirectional charging, supporting grid stability, renewable integration, and the wider adoption of green mobility.
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