Starting in 2027, EU regulations will mandate that electric vehicle (EV) charging systems must upgrade to the new ISO 15118-20 standard. And yet, even as the regulations move forward, the industry still lacks consistent testing and certification mechanisms. CharIN, the leading global association dedicated to promoting the CCS and MCS standards, recently highlighted in a white paper that conformance with lab standards does not guarantee interoperability in real-world applications. Integrating equipment from different manufacturers continues to present practical challenges.

To address globally fragmented charging specifications and cross-vendor incompatibility, CharIN regularly organizes the CharIN Testival, an annual interoperability testing event. Through multilateral, blind plug-in testing involving EVs and charging stations from different brands, the Testival helps the industry identify and resolve interoperability risks early in the development process. 

At the CharIN Testival EUROPE 2026 in the Netherlands, Chroma deployed its advanced ATS 8000 Charging Compatibility Automated Test System and successfully conducted interoperability testing with several leading manufacturers.

2026 CharIN Testival: Europe's Premier Interoperability Testing Venue

Hosted by ElaadNL and Milence in collaboration with CharIN, this year's Testival brought together 28 participating companies, including global automotive OEMs, EV supply equipment (EVSE) manufacturers, test equipment and solution providers, and communications and cybersecurity specialists.

A primary testing focus of this Testival was ISO 15118-20, which introduces several critical upgrades over existing versions:

• TLS 1.3 Support and Improved Cybersecurity Architecture: Upgraded protocols for robust encryption.
• Enhanced Plug & Charge (PnC): Strengthened mutual authentication mechanisms.
• Grid Code & DER Integration: Initial verification for grid code compliance and Distributed Energy Resources (DER) integration.

By connecting EVs and EVSEs from different manufacturers, participants were able to evaluate how their systems performed together in practice. This cross-testing environment makes the Testival one of the industry's closest approximations to real-world operating conditions. 

The event attracted leading automotive and charging technology companies, including Daimler Truck, Volvo, ABB, and Siemens. Chroma participated with a test platform capable of evaluating interoperability from both sides of the charging interface, validating both vehicles and charging equipment.

▲Photo: © CharIN Testival EUROPE 2026 – The Netherlands | Source: CharIN

Chroma ATS 8000 Validates Megawatt-Level MCS Charging and Secure TLS Communication 

Driven by European policy and industry demand, the Megawatt Charging System (MCS) was another major focus of this year's Testival. As Europe continues to expand its electrification infrastructure for heavy-duty vehicles, MCS is widely regarded as a critical technology for the future of commercial transportation.

At the CharIN Testival, Chroma achieved several key testing milestones:

• Conducted megawatt-level MCS charging tests with global automotive OEMs and charging equipment manufacturers
• Successfully completed ISO 15118-20 TLS mutual authentication process
• Developed interoperability test scenarios spanning both ISO 15118-2 and ISO 15118-20

The tests verified standards-compliant charging initialization and secure, trusted communication between the EV and EVSE. These capabilities can help customers identify compatibility issues earlier and reduce the risks associated with future product deployment.

MCS and bidirectional communication based on ISO 15118 (including V2G and V2X applications) will play an increasingly important role in integrating electric transportation with future energy systems. The Chroma ATS 8000 has proven to be more than just a testing tool; it serves as a vital link connecting standards, products, and markets. Chroma's live validation at the 2026 CharIN Testival reaffirmed its leadership in EV test solutions, accelerating the transition toward a high-power, fully interoperable charging ecosystem.

For more information, please visit our website through the link below and submit your requirements and contact details. Our team will be happy to assist you.

Note: All company names, product names, trademarks, and logos mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners. Certain event photographs used in this article have been obtained from the official CharIN website and are credited in accordance with its published terms of use: © CharIN Testival EUROPE 2026 – The Netherlands.