UK smart charging consultancy Versinetic has expanded its ISO 15118 software and hardware portfolio as the EU’s January 1, 2027 deadline for EN ISO 15118-20:2022 support pulls charger manufacturers into a hardware redesign cycle. The expansion targets makers building on the legacy IEC 61851 electrical signalling layer who must now integrate the IP-based architecture of ISO 15118 to remain market-eligible under the EU’s Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR). The standard underpins Plug and Charge authentication, TLS-encrypted vehicle-charger communication, and bidirectional vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capability — features Versinetic has framed as the “SuperSmart” transition for AC charging infrastructure.
Highlights
- AFIR requires EN ISO 15118-2:2016 support for new public AC charging points across the EU from January 8, 2026, with EN ISO 15118-20:2022 mandatory for all new public and private Mode 3 AC and Mode 4 DC chargers from January 1, 2027.
- Versinetic’s Charging Blox platform combines its MantaRay control board, ISO 15118 communication stack, and Remora PLC module to support manufacturer integration.
- ISO 15118-20 introduces TLS 1.3 encryption, contract-based authentication for Plug and Charge, and bidirectional power transfer for V2G applications.
- Many existing AC chargers built on low-cost microcontrollers cannot meet the 2027 requirements without processor and PLC chip upgrades, according to industry analysis.
A Compliance Window That Has Already Started
The EU’s regulatory clock on ISO 15118 has effectively two phases, and the first one is already running. Under AFIR implementing measures, since January 8, 2026, all newly installed or renovated publicly accessible AC charging points in the EU have been required to support EN ISO 15118-2:2016. From January 1, 2027, the requirement extends to EN ISO 15118-20:2022 across all new and refurbished public and private Mode 3 AC and Mode 4 DC charge points. This is the version that enables full Plug and Charge, bidirectional charging, and TLS 1.3 encryption.
For UK manufacturers, the regulation does not yet write ISO 15118 into domestic law in the same form. Versinetic notes, however, that any manufacturer selling into both UK and EU markets is effectively bound to the EU dates, and UK charge point operators are increasingly specifying ISO 15118-ready hardware as a procurement baseline.
What the Expanded Charging Blox Offers
Versinetic’s Charging Blox is a modular framework combining the MantaRay communications controller, the Remora PLC module — which targets ISO 15118-3 and DIN SPEC 70121 — and a licensed software stack designed to handle the full Plug and Charge certificate chain. According to the company, the stack supports four functional areas for OEM integration: automatic vehicle authentication without RFID cards or apps; TLS-encrypted exchange of vehicle and contract data; ISO 15118-20-based bidirectional charging readiness; and extension of ISO 15118 features beyond DC fast charging into workplace and residential AC applications.
“The industry is entering a new phase where interoperability, security and intelligent energy management are becoming just as important as charging speed,” said Dunstan Power, Managing Director of Versinetic. “ISO 15118 provides the foundation for that shift, enabling everything from seamless Plug and Charge experiences to bidirectional energy systems that better connect EVs with the grid.”
Hardware, Not Just Firmware
The harder question for the market is what existing chargers can be made compliant. Industry technical analysis indicates that many AC charge points built around low-cost microcontrollers cannot support ISO 15118-20 without processor and PLC chip upgrades. Manufacturers treating the January 2027 date as a firmware update are likely to find themselves redesigning hardware instead — a distinction with material implications for time-to-market, certification timelines, and capital planning. Versinetic, which previously integrated the open-source EVerest framework into its modular architecture, is positioning Charging Blox as a pre-validated path through that transition.
The company says its engineering team has more than a decade of experience in EV and green technology systems, with members involved in the charging infrastructure used for the London 2012 Olympics.
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