ISO 15118 is the international standard for digital communication between an electric car and a charger. Without it, the car and charger talk through a simple signal (defined in IEC 61851) that tells the car how much current it may draw. That is enough to charge safely, but nothing more. ISO 15118 adds a digital, encrypted conversation over the charging cable itself, so the car and charger can exchange identity, energy needs and charging schedules.
You don't need ISO 15118 to charge. Every electric car with a Type 2 plug charges on every VOOL charger, with or without ISO 15118. It adds features on top of normal charging. It does not decide whether charging works.
What ISO 15118 makes possible
Plug & Charge: the car identifies itself with a digital certificate the moment you plug in. There is no RFID card or app, and the session is billed to your charging contract automatically.
Smarter charging: the car can tell the charger how much energy it needs and when you plan to leave, so charging can be planned around that.
Bidirectional charging (V2G / V2H): a compatible car can send energy back to your home or the grid.
Security: communication is encrypted, and the car and charger verify each other with certificates.
ISO 15118-2 and ISO 15118-20
There are two versions in use, and they are not compatible with each other. A charger that supports both automatically uses the version the car speaks.
ISO 15118-2 is the version most cars on the road use today, including for Plug & Charge. It supports charging only.
ISO 15118-20 is the newer generation. It adds bidirectional charging and always-on encryption, and it is the version the EU requires from 2027. Car support is growing.
What the EU requires from 2027
Under the EU Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR), charge points that are newly installed or renovated from 1 January 2027 must support ISO 15118-20. This applies to both public and private charge points. Public charge points that offer Plug & Charge must also support ISO 15118-2.
The rule applies to new installations and major renovations. Chargers installed before 2027 do not have to be replaced.
What VOOL supports
Feature | Current VOOL chargers | New VOOL ISO 15118 charger |
Charging any Type 2 electric car | Yes | Yes |
RFID, app, scheduled and price-based charging, load management | Yes | Yes |
ISO 15118-2 | No | Yes |
ISO 15118-20 | No | Yes |
Plug & Charge | No | Yes (see below) |
Bidirectional charging (V2G / V2H) | No | Planned by firmware update in Q1 2027 |
Meets the EU 2027 requirement for new installations | No | Yes |
The new VOOL ISO 15118 charger is planned for release in December 2026.
Upgrading a current VOOL charger
Current VOOL 22 kW wall and pole chargers do not have the communication hardware ISO 15118 needs, so a firmware update cannot add it. They can be upgraded by replacing the charge controller with the new ISO 15118 controller. The rest of the charger stays in place. Contact us or your installer to arrange an upgrade.
What Plug & Charge needs
Plug & Charge only works when all three of these are in place:
A car that supports Plug & Charge.
A charging contract with a provider that supports Plug & Charge, activated in the car.
A charge point operator whose system is connected to the Plug & Charge certificate network.
Plug & Charge is mainly useful at public and shared charging sites. At home, RFID, the app or auto-start already do the same job more simply.
What bidirectional charging needs
Bidirectional charging needs a car that supports bidirectional AC charging, and only a few models do today. It may also need approval from your grid operator, depending on local rules. We will update this article when the firmware update is released.
Will my car work?
Every electric car with a Type 2 plug charges on every VOOL charger.
Which ISO 15118 features your car supports depends on its model, model year and software version. Check with the car manufacturer.
If the car and charger don't share an ISO 15118 version, charging still works through the standard signal. You just don't get Plug & Charge or the extra features.
Common questions
Do I need to replace my VOOL charger before 2027? No. The EU rule covers new installations and renovations, not chargers already in use.
Does ISO 15118 make charging faster? No. Charging power is still set by the charger, the car and your electrical connection.
Can I use RFID or the app on the new charger as before? Yes. ISO 15118 adds options and does not replace the existing ones.
Questions about a specific charger or an upgrade? Contact us with the charger's serial number.