CSMS OCPP integration

IntroAFIR (Regulation 2023/1804) now sets the floor for publicly accessible EV charging across the EU. For CCS2 DC sites, that means ad-hoc (no-contract) access, clear and comparable pricing, acceptance of widely used payment instruments on higher-power chargers, digital connectivity with smart-charging capability for new or renovated installs, and corridor coverage targets on key roads. The playbook below translates those obligations into actions a site team can run this quarter.     What AFIR changes on the ground for CCS2• In force since 13 April 2024, with binding rules for publicly accessible charging. • DC uses CCS2; AC uses Type 2 in the relevant power classes. • Public DC points must use fixed cables by 14 April 2025; plan holsters, glands, and strain-relief accordingly. • All public points must be digitally connected by 14 October 2024; new points (from April 2024) and qualifying renovations (from October 2024) must be smart-charging capable so operators can manage load, pricing, and availability remotely.     Payments and pricing that pass an AFIR audit• Ad-hoc access: drivers must be able to start and pay without a prior contract or app. • Accepted instruments: for ≥50 kW, new installs must accept widely used payment instruments on the charger (card reader or contactless device that reads payment cards). Existing ≥50 kW on specified roads face a retrofit deadline on 1 January 2027. For chargers under 50 kW, operators can use a secure online payment flow—for example, a QR code that directs the driver to a checkout page. • For ≥50 kW chargers, ad-hoc sessions must be priced by energy delivered (kWh). A per-minute occupancy fee after a short grace period is allowed to deter bay blocking. • Price clarity at <50 kW: present components in a clear order—per kWh first, then per minute, then per session, then any other fees. • Pre-session visibility: show the price before charging begins—on the charger where required, or via clear electronic means where permitted.     Operator tips for fewer abandoned starts• Keep the flow to four steps: select connector → confirm per-kWh price (and any occupancy-fee rule) → pay by card/NFC or scan QR → charging starts. • Make the per-kWh price the largest figure on the screen or price board. • Give a visible grace period (for example, 10 minutes) before any occupancy fee starts. • Test the QR journey on low-signal phones; if it’s slow, drivers will bail.     CCS2 hardware and bay ergonomics• Cable reach and mass: high-power DC cables are thicker and heavier. Use balanced holsters, sensible pull angles, and (where permitted) swivel arms so front, rear, and side inlets can be reached without dragging cables on the ground. • Wet-weather handling: glove-friendly grips and anti-twist boots reduce mis-operations in rain and cold. • Labeling and guidance: put connector label, nominal power, and price highlights at driver eye line; add a simple three-step instruction near the holster. • Accessibility: plan kerb ramps, bay width, handle height, and display angles for wheelchair users and shorter drivers. • Lighting: even, low-glare lighting over holsters and screens reduces errors at night.   Digital connectivity, smart charging, and open data• Remote operations: connected chargers let you push price changes, collect error codes, and restore service faster. • Smart-charging capability: for new or renovated sites, support pool-level load management to control peaks and align with grid contracts. • Open data: operators must publish both static and real-time information—location, status, availability, and pricing—via standardized APIs/formats so national access points and third-party apps can display accurate details. Build API hygiene early to avoid last-minute rework.     TEN-T corridor planning (light-duty)• Spacing and pool size: on the core network, install charging pools roughly every 60 km. By 31 December 2025, a pool should provide at least 400 kW total with at least one 150 kW point; by 31 December 2027, at least 600 kW total with at least two 150 kW points. • Design implications: start with at least one 150 kW bay and scale to multiple high-power bays as targets rise; size upstream capacity with headroom. • Redundancy: use N+1 on dispensers and communications so one failure doesn’t take out the site.     AFIR compliance and UX checklist Item Applies to What to implement Evidence to retain Ad-hoc access (no contract) All public points One-tap card/NFC or secure QR flow Start screen and payment receipt Per-kWh ad-hoc pricing ≥50 kW Energy-based price; optional occupancy fee after grace On-charger price board/screen Price component order <50 kW Show per kWh → per minute → per session → others Display or electronic page Payment instruments on new installs ≥50 kW Card reader or contactless device able to read payment cards Terminal present and functional Retrofit plan where required Existing ≥50 kW on specified roads Dated workplan and purchase orders Project tracker Digital connectivity All public points Telemetry and remote control verified CSMS logs/screens Smart-charging capability New builds / qualifying renovations Load-management profile tested Test script and change logs Fixed DC cable All public DC points Fixed cable and holster per outlet As-built photos/drawings Open data/API feed All public points Static + dynamic data published API spec and update cadence     Mini case: measurable gains from a clearer flowA four-bay, 600 kW site moved from app-first to an ad-hoc flow with on-charger card acceptance and a short, clearly stated grace period before any occupancy fee. Results after eight weeks: higher start-success rate, fewer aborted sessions at the payment step, and shorter post-charge dwell. The same elements that satisfy AFIR—transparent pricing and universal payments—also lift throughput and revenue quality.     Where Workersbee fits Workersbee designs and manufactures EV charging connection products used in public DC and AC environments. For CCS2 sites under AFIR, the following portfolios are directly relevant:   • CCS2 — naturally cooled: Workersbee provides naturally cooled CCS2 connector-and-cable sets with ratings up to 375 A, suitable for high-power use without a liquid cooling loop. These suit high-power use without liquid loops, with the usual trade-offs around ambient temperature and duty cycle. • CCS2, liquid-cooled: Workersbee supplies liquid-cooled CCS2 assemblies in rated options from 300 A to 500 A. Liquid cooling supports higher sustained current and lighter handling by removing heat through a closed loop. • Type 2 AC: Workersbee offers Type 2 AC connectors and cables for destination and multi-bay AC installations. Depending on the model, common conformity marks such as CE or UKCA are available. • Charging parts: The catalogue includes sockets, dummy sockets, holsters, protective boots, and other accessories used to complete fixed-cable layouts and durable outdoor routing.     How to select among Workersbee options for an AFIR build• Power and duty cycle: choose naturally cooled for moderate-to-high power with simpler maintenance; choose liquid-cooled for sustained high-current service or where cable mass must be minimized for ergonomics. • Cable reach and bend radius: match cable length and outer diameter to your bay geometry so front, rear, and side inlets are reachable without dragging. • Fixed-cable readiness: pair connectors with holsters, caps, and glands as a set so cables dock cleanly, stay dry, and are easy to stow—helpful for meeting the fixed-cable requirement and reducing drops. • AC rows: standardize Type 2 components to keep spares simple across parking rows and maintenance teams.     Quarter-by-quarter implementation plan Weeks 0–2• Site audit: payment instruments, price displays, connectors/cables, lighting, accessibility. • Data audit: where and how you publish static and dynamic data; update cadence and responsibility. • Gap list: compile per-site against the checklist above with a clear priority order.   Weeks 3–6• Payments: deploy card/contactless on ≥50 kW where required; enable secure QR for lower-power units; set a short grace period and a modest occupancy fee. • Price communication: standardize price boards; make the per-kWh price the most prominent element; keep notes about fees plain and unambiguous. • Digital operations: Confirm that each charger reliably communicates with the CSMS—accepting remote commands, issuing structured fault reports, and updating status and pricing data with low latency.   Weeks 7–10• Cables and holsters: complete DC fixed-cable work; validate reach for front, rear, and side ports; set holster heights for accessibility. • Open data: confirm that location, availability, and price publish reliably to required endpoints. • Driver validation: run observed tests; measure time-to-first-kWh and payment success.     Success metrics to track• Ad-hoc start-success rate and failure reasons (card read, QR load time, authorization). • Abandoned-session rate by step (before plug-in, after price confirmation, at payment). • Average post-charge dwell and the effect of the occupancy-fee policy. • Data freshness (how quickly availability and price updates propagate). • Mean time to repair for communications and payment-terminal faults.     Closing noteAFIR builds a consistent baseline. The sites that win drivers go a step further: crystal-clear pricing, fast universal payments, reliable CCS2 cables and holsters, and accurate data that appears wherever drivers plan their trip.   Workersbee’s CCS2 (naturally cooled and liquid-cooled), Type 2 AC, and supporting parts can be specified where they fit the power targets, ergonomics, and maintenance preferences of each site—helping operators meet AFIR requirements while delivering a smooth, predictable experience.