ISO 15118: Global EV Charging Standard for Plug-and-Charge & V2G

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is an independent, non-governmental international body that develops and publishes global standards to ensure quality, safety, efficiency, and interoperability across industries. Headquartered in Geneva, ISO works with national standard bodies from over 160 countries. Its goal is to facilitate international trade and innovation by creating uniform specifications across technologies and services.

Overview of ISO 15118

ISO 15118 is an ISO standard that governs communication between electric vehicles (EVs) and charging stations. Formally titled "Road vehicles — Vehicle to grid communication interface," this protocol enables secure, automated, and intelligent charging interactions, paving the way for seamless plug-and-charge (PnC), smart charging, and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) functionality.

It was developed in collaboration with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), forming the backbone of future-ready EV charging networks and grid services.

Key Features

Plug-and-Charge (PnC): EVs automatically identify and authenticate with the charger—no cards, apps, or user input needed.

Secure Communication: Encryption and certificate-based identity verification using TLS and PKI.

Smart Charging: Shares load information, energy availability, and preferences.

V2G Compatibility: Supports bi-directional energy flow to return power to the grid.

Dynamic Pricing: Enables real-time pricing signals and optimized charging times.

Technical Architecture

Application Layer: Handles functions like contract validation, session management, and energy scheduling.

Transport/Network Layer: Uses IP-based protocols (TCP/IP) to enable internet-capable communications.

Security Layer: Uses digital certificates and TLS encryption to ensure tamper-proof connections.

ISO 15118 Standards Breakdown

ISO 15118-2: Core standard for wired communications, plug-and-charge, and session protocols.

ISO 15118-3: Physical layer and data link layer definitions.

ISO 15118-20: Next-gen standard with enhanced V2G, wireless communication, load control, and grid support.

Callout: Exicom’s Harmony Direct 2.0 DC Fast Charger is ISO 15118-ready — empowering plug-and-charge convenience and preparing the grid for a V2G-powered future.

‍