Revolutionizing Heavy-Duty Electric Vehicle Charging: CharIN MCS Controller Testival 2025 - Spain
A milestone for Megawatt Charging System development
Barcelona, Spain – The CharIN MCS Controller Testival EUROPE 2025, hosted by Autel Energy, was a landmark event in the evolution of Megawatt Charging Systems (MCS). As the first CharIN Testival of the year and the first-ever dedicated to MCS Controller Testing, the two-day event attracted approximately 80 attendees and 14 testing companies, including suppliers of Supply Equipment Communication Controllers (SECC) and Electric Vehicle Communication Controllers (EVCC).
The MCS Controller Testival featured real-world EVCC-SECC pairing sessions, ensuring cross-platform functionality and compliance with industry standards. Key testing areas included: electrical efficiency, thermal management, and mechanical compatibility. By conducting these tests, the event accelerated the standardization and global adoption of MCS technology for heavy-duty transport.
The participants were able to mutually authenticate charging sessions using the mandatory mutual TLS1.3 security mechanism, marking a first step toward a more secure and seamless Plug&Charge integration in compliance with the ISO 15118-20 standard. This advancement paves the way for a future-proof, interoperable, and secure charging ecosystem. The inaugural Testival united industry leaders, tech providers, and stakeholders to validate next-gen MCS controllers. Rigorous testing advanced high-power charging for heavy-duty EVs, enhancing efficiency, reliability, and seamless global integration.
Evolution of MCS technology
The Megawatt Charging System (MCS) is advancing rapidly in Europe, driving high-power solutions for heavy-duty transport. In December 2024, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges launched a charging hub with 22 bays, offering 4MW CCS and 2.8MW MCS capacity, solidifying its role in electric freight.
Starting July 2025, new heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) in Europe need to comply with fleetwide CO2 emission targets, aligning with regulatory efforts to cut emissions.
Meanwhile, Milence, a joint venture of leading truck manufacturers, is developing Europe’s largest public charging network. By late 2025, it aims to establish the first MCS corridor from Antwerp to Stockholm, making long-haul electric trucking more viable .
These regulatory and infrastructure strides underscore Europe’s commitment to zeroemission freight. To ensure seamless adoption, CharIN launched the first MCS Controller Testival, validating next-gen controllers and promoting standardization.
CharIN and the Megawatt Charging System (MCS)
Since 2018, CharIN has led the development of the Megawatt Charging System (MCS), building on existing CCS (Combined Charging System) standards. Through its MCS Task Force, CharIN brings together industry leaders to drive innovation and establish a unified global standard for high-power charging.
Key MCS requirements include:
Single conductive plug for universal compatibility
Up to 1,250V & 3,000A (DC) to enable ultra-fast charging Ethernet-based communication (10BASE-T1S) & ISO/IEC 15118-20 for secure and efficient data exchange
Compliance with safety standards (UL2251, OSHA, ADA, FCC Class A EMI) V2X bi-directional capabilities to support energy grid integration
CharIN is also actively involved in real-world MCS deployments, such as the first public electric truck charging site in Portland, Oregon, developed in collaboration with PGE and DTNA. In addition to heavy-duty trucking, CharIN's MCS initiatives are shaping the future of high-power charging in industries like aviation and mining. With these efforts, CharIN is accelerating the transition to a standardized, efficient, and scalable charging network.
Learn more about CharIN´s MCS initiatives and industries at: https://www.charin.global/industries/
Industry Voices
Javier Izquierdo, Technical Director of AEDIVE, said after attending the CharIN MCS Testival: The CharIN MCS Testival is a great experience because testing with real controllers, hardware, and simulators makes the process more agile and dynamic" "CharIN Testivals are essential for defining communication protocols, as they allow participants to detect errors instantly and refine the standard collaboratively."
Andreas Lastei, VP of Sales and Marketing at Autel Europe, added: “The First CharIN MCS Controller Testival 2025 marks a significant milestone in the advancement of Megawatt Charging Systems," "At Autel, we drive innovation in high-power charging solutions for heavy-duty transport. Hosting this key event in Barcelona demonstrates our focus on advancing standardization and supporting a seamless, future-proof charging ecosystem for the industry.”
Christian Hahn, CEO of Hubject CharIN´s Testival Strategic Testing Partner adds: “The CharIN MCS Controller Testival marks an important milestone for commercial vehicle electrification. As Strategic Testing Partner, Hubject is pleased to support this collaborative initiative that will accelerate the standardization and deployment of Megawatt Charging Systems. Our partnership with CharIN continues to strengthen the foundations of interoperable charging infrastructure across all vehicle segments. By working together to validate these advanced charging technologies, we're ensuring that the future of heavy-duty transport will benefit from the same seamless charging experience we've been developing for passenger vehicles. We look forward to the insights and progress this Testival will bring to the industry..”
Participating Testing Companies & Sponsors Testing Companies Onsite: Advantics, Autel, Bosch, BTC Power, Chargebyte, IDIADA, MAN, Keysight, Ekoenergetyka, Kempower, Power Electronics, Vector Informatik, Watt & Well. Event Sponsors: bp, Comemso, Milence, Phoenix Contact. Volvo And our Strategic Testing Partner: Hubject
Stats & Facts – CharIN MCS Controller Testival EUROPE 2025 - Spain + 60 attendees participated in the event 13 e-mobility testing companies 8 SECC and 7 EVCC controllers were tested 8 dedicated testing slots were executed over the two days at the Testival
CharIN Contact: Cindy Plischke Email: cindy.plischke@charin.global
Autel Contact: Jiaqi Liu Email: jiaqi.liu@autel.com
Hubject Contact: Stuart Barnes Email: stuart.barnes@hubject.com
About the Charging Interface Initiative e.V. (CharIN)
CharIN is the largest global association focused on the electrification of all forms of transportation based on the seamless and interoperable charging experience enabled, for example, by the Combined Charging System (CCS), the Megawatt Charging System (MCS), and the North American Charging System (NACS). CharIN represents 300+ leading electric mobility stakeholders from the entire EV charging value chain. It is open to all interested parties and has offices in Germany, Singapore, UAE, Brazil, Australia/New Zealand, Hong Kong, South Korea, India, Japan, China, and the US. Please find more information at www.charin.global.
About Autel Energy Europe
Autel Europe is a leading provider of AC and DC charging solutions, with a strong focus on high-power charging for heavy-duty transport. From residential chargers to Megawatt Charging Systems (MCS), Autel delivers innovative and scalable infrastructure to meet the growing demands of e-mobility. Through advanced technology and industry collaboration, we are shaping a seamless, future-proof charging ecosystem across Europe and beyond. . Please find more information at:: https://autelenergy.eu/.
About Hubject
Hubject simplifies the charging of electric vehicles. Through its eRoaming platform intercharge, the eMobility specialist connects Charge Point Operators (CPOs) and eMobility Service Providers (EMPs) to provide standardized access to charging infrastructure. Hubject operates the world’s largest cross-provider charging network, connecting over 1,000,000 charging points and more than 2,500 B2B partners across 70 countries. Hubject is also a leader in Plug&Charge technology, using ISO 15118 -2 and -20 standards to deliver secure, seamless EV charging experiences. Please find more information at https://www.hubject.com/.
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