Communication Testing Support for EV Charging Standard EN ISO 15118
04 February 2026 - Since the European EV charger market began developing in earnest, various charging protocols have coexisted, resulting in interoperability issues that affect charging convenience. For instance, the widely adopted CCS interface uses both the DIN (SPEC) 70121 and the ISO 15118-2 protocols. However, while DIN 70121 holds the bulk of the market share, it supports DC charging only, lacking coverage of AC charging as well as advanced features like Plug & Charge. This holds back long-term progress for the charging ecosystem.
To address this, the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/656 specifies that, from January 8, 2026, all newly installed or refurbished public AC and DC charging stations must comply with the EN ISO 15118 series. Requirements for private chargers take effect from January 1, 2027, with minimum compliance thresholds varying by charger type, as summarized below:
As EN ISO 15118 raises the bar for charger compliance, it also increases the requirements for test systems. The Chroma 8000 EVSE Automatic Test System is engineered to meet these challenges head-on. The system not only supports ISO 15118-2, ISO 15118-20, and DIN 70121 but also offers an extensive test library covering ISO 15118-4, ISO 15118-5, and DIN 70122—comprehensively meeting CCS charger testing needs.
Beyond European standards, the system's open and highly editable architecture allows for expansion via communication simulators to support GB/T and CHAdeMO standards. Chroma also provides scalable system configurations based on user needs, from low-power setups focused on protocol validation to MW-level systems for full-power electrical performance testing. Optional functions such as discharge mode and insulation fault monitoring can be integrated to support charger manufacturers across R&D, validation, and production.
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