---
title: "OCPP gateway for mixed EV charger fleets"
description: "GridOS is an OCPP gateway for OCPP 1.6, 2.0.1, and 2.1. One WebSocket entry point normalizes charger traffic, routes to one or more CPMS backends, and keeps migrations off the field hardware."
canonical: "https://gridos.co/solutions/ocpp-gateway"
keywords:
  - "OCPP gateway"
  - "OCPP gateway software"
  - "OCPP 1.6 gateway"
  - "OCPP 2.0.1 gateway"
  - "OCPP 2.1 gateway"
  - "EV charger gateway"
  - "charge point OCPP gateway"
  - "CSMS gateway"
---

# OCPP gateway for mixed EV charger fleets

> An OCPP gateway sits between chargers and charge-point management systems. Operators search for it when they need mixed-fleet connectivity, multi-backend routing, or a safer path than re-pointing every charger during a CPMS change. GridOS is built for that production boundary—not only protocol demos.

GridOS is an OCPP gateway for OCPP 1.6, 2.0.1, and 2.1. One WebSocket entry point normalizes charger traffic, routes to one or more CPMS backends, and keeps migrations off the field hardware.

## Audience

CPO engineering, platform, and operations teams evaluating OCPP gateway software.

## Best for

Operators who need a production OCPP gateway with version coverage, observability, and multi-backend routing—not a thin protocol library.

## Pain points

- Chargers speak different OCPP dialects; the CPMS absorbs every quirk.
- Re-pointing charger URLs for a migration requires truck rolls and risk windows.
- Single-backend architecture blocks parallel monitoring, billing, or pilot CPMS paths.
- “Supports OCPP” on a datasheet does not mean production reconnect, security, and smart-charging depth.
- Ops teams lack a clean place to inspect raw OCPP frames during incidents.

## Outcomes

- One OCPP gateway endpoint for mixed OCPP 1.6 / 2.0.1 / 2.1 fleets.
- Normalize charger quirks before traffic hits business systems.
- Route or fan-out sessions to multiple backends during migration or dual-run.
- Keep field firmware stable while backends change behind the gateway.
- Use ChargerPilot AI agents on top of gateway telemetry for OCPP operations.

## FAQ

### What is an OCPP gateway?

An OCPP gateway is software that terminates Open Charge Point Protocol connections from EV chargers and forwards them to one or more central systems (CPMS/CSMS). It handles WebSockets, message routing, version differences, and often multi-backend fan-out so chargers do not bind forever to a single backend URL.

### Is an OCPP gateway the same as a CPMS?

No. A CPMS usually includes operator workflows, tariffs, driver tooling, and admin UI. An OCPP gateway specializes in connectivity and routing. Many operators run a gateway in front of an existing or new CPMS.

### How is an OCPP gateway different from an OCPP proxy?

In industry language they overlap. “Proxy” emphasizes multi-backend routing and traffic control; “gateway” emphasizes protocol termination and normalization. GridOS covers both: OCPP gateway connectivity plus OCPP proxy-style multi-backend routing.

### Which OCPP versions does GridOS support?

Production connectivity is built for mixed fleets on OCPP 1.6, OCPP 2.0.1, and OCPP 2.1. Exact message coverage depends on charger firmware and which workflows you enable live.

### Can I keep my current CPMS with an OCPP gateway?

Yes. Point chargers at the gateway and route to the existing CPMS. Later add a second backend, analytics sink, or replacement CPMS without reconfiguring hardware.

## Related

- Proxy: [OCPP proxy for multi-backend routing](https://gridos.co/solutions/ocpp-proxy)
- Guide: [When to add an OCPP gateway](https://gridos.co/blog/when-to-add-an-ocpp-gateway-before-replacing-your-cpms)
- Compare: [OCPP gateway vs full CPMS](https://gridos.co/blog/ocpp-gateway-vs-full-cpms-replacement)
- Vendor comparisons: [GridOS vs ChargePoint and other platforms](https://gridos.co/solutions)