Task 53 is an non profit international project consortia with partners from industry, governments, academia and non profit organisations. Task 53 is dedicated to overcome the hurdles of multiparty bidirectional charging.
Task 53
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IEA Implementing Agreement EV TCP
The IEA Implementing Agreement on Electric Vehicles Technology Collaboration Programme (EV TCP) has been dedicated since 2016 to enhancing collaboration on pre-competitive research as well as the production and dissemination of information. Today, EV TCP includes 19 participating member countries: Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, Republic of Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. In addition, European Commission is also represented.
To address interoperability issues, EV TCP has initiated Task 53: Multiparty Interoperability of Bidirectional Charging (INBID). This task aims to test the conformance of the upcoming ISO 15118-2X amendments related to bidirectional charging.
A true breakthrough can only be achieved if solutions for both AC and DC bidirectionality, including the relevant grid code aspects, are developed and standardized globally.
Marco Piffaretti, Operating Agent of Task 53
Objectives
Overcome the actual hurdles in multiparty interoperable bidirectional charging
Providing proof of multiparty interoperable solutions based on a “consortia agreement” and conformance test reports from partner labs.
Ensuring multiparty interoperability between bidirectional vehicles and charging equipment, with at least 9 “pairs” for 3-phase and for 1-phase
Ensuring multiparty interoperability between bidirectional charging equipment and DSOs, with at least 15 “pairs” for 3-phase and for 1-phase
Developing the “Golden Guidelines” detailing the implementation process for third parties to achieve multiparty interoperability.
Multiparty Interoperability of Bidirectional Charging !
Task 53 is dedicated to ensuring multiparty interoperability between bidirectional charging stations, vehicles, and grids.
Activities
What we do
The Golden Guidlines will enable manufactures, laboratories and DSOs around the world to make multiparty interoparability a reality.
Bjoern Christensen, North American Representative of Task 53
How we do it
The decision-making process in Task 53 is based on strong stakeholder engagement. Decisions within the working groups are primarily made by consensus, ensuring active and close involvement of all partners. If consensus cannot be reached, decisions are taken using the consent principle. As a last resort, if no consent can be achieved, the Operating Agent will make the final decision in order to resolve deadlock situations.
Consensus
- Requires full agreement from all participants
- Is generally slower and less flexible
- Creates a strong sense of commitment among all participants
- Leads to decisions everne supports without reservations
Consent
- Ensures that no strong objections remain
- Is faster and more flexible
- Creates balanced commitment without active opposition
- Leads to decisions once objections have been addressed and resolved
Task 53 is committed to engaging all partners to the highest possible level in order to jointly achieve the common goal of interoperability.
Advantages for DSOs
Why should a DSO become Partner of Task 53 ?
Common, standardized grid codes for communication between EVSEs (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) and DSOs (Distribution System Operators) are crucial for interoperability in bidirectional charging. Task 53 is seeking selected DSOs to help move the needle and scale V2G.
Collect V2G Insights Prior to Client Implementation: Gather insights and data from existing V2G (Vehicle-to-Grid) deployments before existing V2H (Vehicle-to Home) DSO-customers expand upon it.
V2G Education and Staff Training: Offer comprehensive education and training on V2G for internal teams to ensure complete understanding and effective implementation.
Marketing and Brand Positioning as an Innovator: Position as a market innovator and first mover compared to other Distribution System Operators (DSOs), thereby strengthening its image and leadership.
Scale Up V2G from Pilot to Operational: Transition the V2G experience from the pilot project stage (such as “V2X Suisse“ with Honda e and proprietary DIN protocol) to a more interoperable (scalable) business model.
Fine-Tune DSO Command Signals: Refine the minimum DSO signals to “drive“ customers through incentives instead of commands, avoiding involvement in customer complexity.
DSOs need to handle renewable energy resources efficently: Interoperability is one piece in the mosaic.
Advantages for EV-OEMs
Why should an EV-OEM become Partner of Task 53 ?
In order to advance V2G in the market, cars and charging stations need to communicate seamlessly using interoperable ISO 15118-20. Task 53 needs car OEMs that share the vision of scaling up V2G by achieving interoperable bidirectional charging, rather than creating stranded, isolated solutions.
Reduced overall-cost and accelerated timing for getting a truly interoperable global solution for bidirectional charging for a truly applicable V2G.
Access to worldclass laboratories such as EU JRC-Ispra, Argonne National Laboratories, Elaad, Dekra, and KERI.
Access to exclusive annual meetings and workshops (first one in Ispra at the JRC-Laboratory, Italy, second one in November 2025 at FHNW Brugg, Switzerland).
Direct access to international and diversified knowledge pool of bidirectional experts.
Exchange with V2G-relevant policy makers through the EV-TCP country partners (including EU in terms of Directorate-General).
Opportunity to contribute, co-formulate and therefore influence the outcomes (harmonized protocol implementation)
Future-oriented car OEMs are done with proprietary, stranded, and isolated solutions.
Partners of Task 53
COUNTRIES
Swiss Federal Office of Energy
Directorate-General for Research and Innovation
Federal Ministry Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure
VITO | EnergyVille
Office of Energy Research and Development / Natural Resources Canada
NaaS Technology, Newlink Group
Technical University of Denmark
Business Finland
Agence de la Transition Ecologique
Service Transports et Mobilités
Technische Universität München, TUM
Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland
Ricarica
Ministry of the Economy
Zaptec
University of Ulsan
Catalonia Institute for Energy Research
Traton
Federal Ministry Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure
Department of Energy
All member countries of EV-TCP have joined Task 53. We thank you for this support !
INDUSTRIAL PARTNERS
LABORATORIES
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS / RESEARCH AND SCIENCE
ASSOCIATIONS WITH MEMORANDUMS OF UNDERSTANDING
Partnership
Task 53 & CharIN
Bilateral Vs. Multiparty Interoperability
Bilateral Bidi. Interoperability testing (Testivals)
Multiparty Bidi. Interoperability testing
(@ JRC, Dekra, ElaadNl, Vedecom, KERI, Argonne etc.)
Focus of Task 53: Multiparty Interoperability Testing for Market Readiness
- Goal: Achieve harmonized, market-ready Bidirectional solutions.
- Focus: End-to-end interoperability across EV – EVSE – Grid, with specific attention to grid codes and Golden Guidelines (V2G readiness).
- Scope: Multiparty, system-wide testing (e.g., 3 EVs + 3 EVSEs + 5 DSOs).
- Methodology: Always the same partners until a unified, working solution is reached
- All results are shared within the Task 53 consortium and will be published after end of project.
- Structure: Coordinated within the IEA (EV-TCP)
- Labs: Permanent infrastructure at JRC, DEKRA, ElaadNl, Vedecom, KERI, Argonne, etc.
- Timeline: Project starting in 2025 and planned ending in 2028
- Cost Model: Project-based fee depending on EV-TCP member status of country and turnover.
- Non-Profit: Coordinated by Task 53 @ novatlantis gmbh (non-profit entity).
- Ideal for DSOs, aggregators, and (EV and EVSE) OEMs focused on market readiness and V2G scalability.
At least one of the two following prerequisites before testing at a Task 53 laboratory are required:
- Have a market-ready product based on ISO 15118-20.
- Have tested successfully either bilaterally with at least one of the Task 53 partners or at a CharIN V2G-Testival charge-pause-discharge functionality.
Certifications are NOT part of Task 53 activities, but can be provided for instance by Task 53 member DEKRA.
Focus of CharIN: Bilateral Interoperability Testing for Development
- Goal: Technical validation and debugging for development teams.
- Focus: Early-stage development-focused testing (AC or DC) between 1 EV and 1 EVSE (out of more than 10) in multiple peer2peer combinations with the Round Robin approach – based on ISO 15118-2/-20.
- Scope: Bilateral interioperability testing (EV ↔ EVSE), typically pre-aligned between participants.
- Test Events:
- ~5 Testivals per year (globally).
- 2–3 days per event, several hours per test.
- Hosted with local partners and service providers.
- Confidentiality: Results mainly private between test partners. A consolidated testival report is compiled and published.
- Cost Model: Participation (open to all companies; discounted rates for CharIN members).
- Ideal for (EV and EVSE) OEMs and suppliers working on product development & conformance.
To collaborate for sustainable solutions with partners, join Task 53 !
Testimonials
Companies, universities institutions, etc. of participating partner-countries wishing to participate in the process of making bidirectional charging interoperable: please join as a partner! A membership fee is charged for industry partners depending on the turnover and membership status of the country. Please contact the operating agent or task secretariat for further information and onboarding.
Downloads
Reports
The Global EV Outlook is an annual publication that identifies and assesses recent developments in electric mobility across the globe. For the first time in this series of reports, the multiparty interoperability of bidirectional charging is being addressed as an important issue, see pages 176 -189.
Mediareleases
Linux Foundation Energy EVerest Project Joins Task 53, October 23, 2024
Flyers
Newsletter
Our newsletter is published six times a year. Stay tuned!
Team
Picture: Corsin Scheebeli
From left to right: Tillmann Laux, Regina Flury, Marco Piffaretti, Bjoern Christensen, Partick Eugster, Nicole Waechter
Marco Piffaretti, Operating Agent, marco.piffaretti@task53.org
Regina Flury, Task 53 Secretariat, regina.flury@task53.org
Nicole Waechter, Communication, nicole.waechter@task53.org
Patrick Eugster, Project Coordinator, patrick.eugster@task53.org
c/o novatlantis gmbh, Technoparkstrasse 1, 8005 Zürich
Bjoern Christensen, Representative in North America, bjoern.christensen@task53.org
c/o Next-Dimension
Bjoern@Next-Dimension.org
www.Next-Dimension.org
Mobile : +1 408-802-0707
Tillmann Laux, Bidirectional Charging and eMobility Expert, tillmann.laux@task53-partner.org
LinkedIn Site Task 53
Events
Events where Task 53 is present. Use the opportunity to meet our team members:
7-10 September, 2026
Arnhem (NL)
Workshop 3 c/o Dekra
for Task 53 partners only.
Registration: https://task53.org/workshop-arnhem
27-29 October, 2026
Detroit (USA)
Clean Energy Summit
Bjoern will be presenting.
https://v2gforum-sgo.com/
24 November, 2026
Brüssel (BE)
V2X Leaders Forum
https://v2gleaders.com/