Pionix’s new Virtual Charger Park offers EV charging infrastructure testing with true digital twins

Pionix has introduced the Virtual Charger Park (VCP), a cloud-native software platform designed to revolutionise the testing of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. This innovative tool allows charge point operators and charging management providers to create digital twins of both charging stations and EVs, facilitating comprehensive load testing and validation of real-world scenarios without the need for physical hardware. By enabling the rapid deployment of thousands of configurable virtual chargers, the VCP offers unprecedented scalability and flexibility for developers and technicians. Central to the VCP’s functionality is EVerest, an open-source firmware stack that acts as a universal proxy for a wide range of charging hardware. This standardised software environment ensures interoperability across numerous charger types, allowing developers to test protocol sequences and state transitions with high confidence that successful outcomes in the virtual environment will translate directly to physical deployments. The platform supports a broad spectrum of protocols, including AC/DC, Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G), OCPP versions 1.6, 2.0.1, and 2.1, as well as ISO 15118 standards and Plug & Charge capabilities. Dr Marco Möller, CEO of Pionix, emphasised the transformative potential of the VCP, highlighting how it eliminates physical constraints and accelerates software innovation within the EV charging industry. He noted that the platform’s use of production-grade EVerest code ensures reliability and real-world applicability, making it a vital tool for developers aiming to enhance backend robustness and interoperability. The VCP has also been officially recognised by the Open Charge Alliance as a key implementation for validating OCPP test tools and cases, underscoring its industry significance. Looking ahead, Pionix plans to further engage the community and stakeholders by hosting a live webinar to provide an in-depth demonstration of the Virtual Charger Park’s capabilities. This initiative reflects the company’s commitment to fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing within the EV charging ecosystem. As the demand for scalable and efficient testing solutions grows alongside the expansion of EV infrastructure, platforms like the VCP are poised to play a crucial role in supporting the sector’s rapid development.