Mainstream Charging Pile Platform Protocols in China
As electric vehicles (EVs) rapidly gain popularity, charging piles, as a core part of the infrastructure, are becoming increasingly important. To achieve interoperability and efficient management of charging piles, several mainstream charging pile platforms have emerged in China. These platforms not only support different brands of charging equipment but also provide users with a more convenient charging experience through standardized protocols. Among them, Yunkuaichong is currently the most widely used charging pile platform in China. With its strong compatibility and flexibility, it has become the preferred choice for many charging pile manufacturers. In addition, platforms like CPL (State Grid), Star Charge, Teld, and International Grid are also driving the industry’s development.
▶ 1. Yunkuaichong
Yunkuaichong is one of the largest third-party IoT platforms for charging in China, covering more than 380 cities nationwide and serving over 25,000 charging pile operators. The Yunkuaichong platform supports more than 95% of the mainstream charging pile brands on the market, offering high compatibility and enabling multi-device management, including charging, photovoltaic systems, energy storage, and metering devices. As of April 2024, Yunkuaichong’s public charging piles have exceeded 500,000 units, making it the largest in the country.Yunkuaichong adopts an open platform strategy that does not restrict the brand of connected devices and provides operators with full lifecycle solutions. Its protocol supports various functions such as demand response, photovoltaic-storage integration control, orderly charging, virtual capacity expansion, and other intelligent strategies. Additionally, Yunkuaichong offers customized services to clients through its SaaS platform, making it one of the most widely used charging pile protocols in China.
▶ 2. CPL (State Grid)
CPL (State Grid) is one of China’s largest public charging network operators and primarily uses the GB/T 27930 standard for communication. This standard ensures data exchange and compatibility between vehicles and charging piles.The CPL platform supports intelligent Internet of Vehicles (IoV) functions that can monitor and manage charging facilities nationwide in real time while providing dynamic load balancing and automatic billing features. State Grid’s extensive network covers many cities across China, and its protocol is widely used in various public and specialized scenarios such as bus stations and ports. The platform not only holds a significant market share domestically but also actively promotes international cooperation by being compatible with global standards like CHAdeMO and CCS.
▶ 3. Star Charge
Star Charge, a subsidiary of Wanbang Digital Energy Co., Ltd., is another major charging platform in China. Star Charge adopts a “cloud-management-terminal” model that integrates cloud platforms, intelligent operation systems, and hardware to provide comprehensive solutions for customers. As of August 2024, Star Charge operates 573,000 public charging piles, accounting for 17.6% of the market share, ranking second nationwide.The Star Charge platform supports high-power fast-charging technology and is promoting the construction of integrated smart stations that combine photovoltaic storage and energy discharge to ensure that new energy vehicles truly use green energy. Additionally, the platform offers lifecycle services to operators from site selection to operations management.
▶ 4. Teld
Teld is a leading provider of intelligent group charging technology for new energy vehicles in China. Its unique “group intelligence” technology dynamically allocates power based on the needs of multiple vehicles to improve overall efficiency while reducing wear on vehicles. The Teld platform supports interoperability functions and provides SaaS platform services to facilitate third-party enterprise access.Teld has a significant market share in the public sector; as of August 2024, its public charging piles numbered 622,000 units, accounting for 19.1% of the market share—making it the largest public charging pile operator in China.
▶ Conclusion
In summary, each mainstream charging pile platform in China has its own unique features. Different platforms leverage their respective protocols and technological advantages to provide diverse services for electric vehicle users. Yunkuaichong, with its broad compatibility, has become a leader in the industry, while CPL (State Grid), Star Charge, Teld, and other platforms continue to innovate and optimize within their respective fields.
It is worth mentioning that by using our 4G industrial gateway, regardless of which platform protocol the original charging pile uses, it can be easily converted into an OCPP protocol or State Grid protocol, enabling seamless integration with the corresponding platforms. This solution not only significantly improves the compatibility of charging piles but also provides operators with a more flexible and efficient management approach. As technology advances and market demand grows, these platforms—along with our solution—will continue to drive the improvement and development of China’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure, providing strong support for achieving green transportation goals.