ElaadNL

What ElaadNL does

ElaadNL (legally Stichting ElaadNL) is a Dutch knowledge and innovation foundation founded in 2009 and headquartered in Arnhem. The organization researches and tests smart, sustainable electric vehicle charging, operating the ElaadNL Testlab for interoperability, power quality, smart charging, cybersecurity, and grid operator assessments, plus the Residential Flexibility program for HEMS-FEID interoperability. It initiated the OCPP (Open Charge Point Protocol), now the de facto global EV charging communication standard with over 17,000 downloads and hosted by the Open Charge Alliance (100+ members across 25 countries), and co-initiated OCPI while contributing to OSCP and OpenLEADR.

The organization is funded primarily by the six major Dutch grid operators (Stedin, Enexis, Liander, CoteQ, Westland Infra, Rendogroep) and the Dutch government, operating under a non-profit foundation (Stichting) structure. All core services are delivered free of charge: DSO Assessments certify charging stations and unmanned objects for grid connection, test events bring together OEMs, charging station manufacturers, and grid operators for interoperability validation, and training programs (e.g., 'Train de trainer' for MBO educators) develop workforce capacity. Customer segments are split between Dutch grid operators (requiring certification), EV and charging infrastructure manufacturers (requiring testing), and government/policymakers (requiring research support for the Dutch National Grid Congestion Action Program).

Go-to-market is event-driven and community-led, relying on industry test events, Plugfests, and Testivals, with distribution of standards and open-source implementations (including a GitHub repository for S2, EEBus, Matter, and OCPP). The pricing model is entirely non-commercial: services are funded by DSO membership contributions and government grants rather than per-transaction fees, making ElaadNL a neutral convening body rather than a revenue-generating enterprise. The organization holds no disclosed patents beyond standards specifications, has no subsidiaries, and has no disclosed funding rounds.

Name

ElaadNL

Legal name

Stichting ElaadNL

Website

https://elaad.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ElaadNL is a Dutch non-profit foundation (Stichting) that researches and tests smart EV charging infrastructure. Funded by Dutch grid operators, it operates the national DSO Assessment certification program, the Elaad Testlab, and created OCPP, the de facto global EV charging protocol standard.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

EV Charging Infrastructure Testing and Research

NAICS

Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance (811210)

SIC

Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825)

akta.pro primary industry

EV Charging Grid Integration Services (Utility Make-Ready, Load Management Integration) (EUAEANAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

EV Charging Make-Ready & Distribution Interconnection Works (EUAEACAO), EV Charging Infrastructure & Management (EDALAKAI), EV Charging Network Management & Software Services (CPMS, Monitoring, Billing) (TLAKAMAG)

Keywords

• EV charging testing
• Smart charging research
• DSO grid assessments
• Charging interoperability
• Open charge protocols

Headquarters

HQ city

Arnhem

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Research and Testing Services: ElaadNL operates as Stichting ElaadNL, a knowledge and innovation center funded by Dutch grid operators and government. Services include free DSO assessments for grid operators and interoperability testing for manufacturers.
2. Training and Education: Organizes training programs for educators on EV charging infrastructure, such as 'Train de trainer' sessions. The DSO assessment process itself is free of charge.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

ElaadNL is the Dutch knowledge and innovation center for EV charging infrastructure, providing interoperability testing, power quality testing, smart charging validation, and cybersecurity testing at its Arnhem Test Lab. It runs the nationwide DSO Assessment certification program for charging stations and unmanned grid objects on behalf of Dutch grid operators, and initiates and maintains open communication protocols (OCPP, OCPI, OSCP, OpenADR) used globally for EV charging and smart energy interoperability.

Product overview

ElaadNL is a Dutch knowledge and innovation center that researches and tests smart and sustainable electric vehicle charging. The organization operates primarily as a testing and research services provider rather than a traditional product company. Its core offerings include the ElaadNL Testlab for interoperability, power quality, smart charging, cybersecurity, chain testing, and network operator assessments; the DSO Assessment service for certifying charging objects and unmanned objects against Dutch grid operator requirements; and the Residential Flexibility project supporting HEMS-FEID interoperability through open protocols (OCPP, Matter, EEBus, S2, OpenADR). Key open standards include OCPP (Open Charge Point Protocol), OCPI (Open Charge Point Interface), and OSCP (Open Smart Charging Protocol), all hosted by the Open Charge Alliance. The e-clearing.net platform enables roaming data exchange across European charging networks. Additional services encompass behavioral research on EV driver adoption, power quality testing, cybersecurity assessments, and the Train de Trainer education program for EV charging. The organization is funded by Dutch grid operators and does not charge for DSO assessment services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ElaadNL Testlab Comprehensive testing facility offering interoperability testing, power quality assessment, smart charging validation, cybersecurity testing, chain testing, and network operator assessments for producers of electric vehicles, buses, trucks, and charging infrastructure.
• DSO Assessment Grid operator certification service for charging objects and unmanned objects (1x6A to 3x80A connections). Inspects and certifies objects against Dutch grid operator requirements, with certificates valid throughout the Netherlands. The assessment process is free of charge.
• Residential Flexibility Project Research initiative on interoperability between Home Energy Management Systems (HEMS) and Flexible Energy Intensive Devices (FEIDs), supporting protocols OCPP, Matter, EEBus, S2, and OpenADR to enable residential energy flexibility for self-consumption optimization, dynamic tariff optimization, and peak grid demand limitation.
• Smart Charging Research Research service on smart charging solutions enabling millions of electric vehicles to charge intelligently and sustainably, covering bidirectional charging, vehicle-to-home, and vehicle-to-grid capabilities.
• Power Quality Testing Testing service for voltage quality impacts of EV charging, including inverter disruption generation and immunity testing, developed in collaboration with knowledge institutions on standards.
• Cybersecurity Testing

Quantifiable outcome

• DSO assessment certificates valid throughout all Dutch grid operator service areas
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• Dutch Grid Operators (Stedin, Enexis, CoteQ Netbeheer, Liander, Westland Infra, Rendogroep)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Dutch grid operators are the primary funders and stakeholders of ElaadNL. They coordinate DSO assessments through ElaadNL for certifying charging infrastructure and unmanned objects throughout the Netherlands.
• Open Charge AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDutch foundation hosting OCPP with over 100 members from 25 countries on four continents. ElaadNL initiated OCPP which has been downloaded over 17,000 times.
• Open Charge Alliance (OCPI, OSCP)coreTechnology or IntegrationElaadNL is one of the initiators of OCPI along with EV Box, The New Motion, Greenflux and Last Mile solutions. Also contributes to OSCP development.
• CharINmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharIN is a member organization with 300+ participants from OEM and charging infrastructure worldwide. ElaadNL hosted the CharIN Testival Europe 2023 to test EVs, charging stations, ECUs, and communication controllers.
• Flexiblepower Alliance Network (FAN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint project with FAN on 'Interoperable solution for Home Energy Management Systems and energy-intensive equipment' as part of the Dutch National Grid Congestion Action Program.
• LF EnergymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTogether with LF Energy, ElaadNL is developing OpenLEADR, an open-source implementation of OpenADR for automated demand response.
• Taskforce ElektrasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Taskforce Elektra to organize training days for MBO teachers on EV charging infrastructure, specifically the 'Laadpunten voor EV' elective module.
• AventussupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAventus provides the training sessions on NewTechPark in Apeldoorn for the 'Train de trainer' program on EV charging points.
• PowerfoliosupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPowerfolio experts Jan Pellis and Bart Smakman authored the 'Residential Flexibility' report on protocols and architecture for smart energy management on behalf of ElaadNL.
• NEN (Dutch standardization institute)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerElaadNL actively participates in development of NTA standards for smart devices and HEMS by NEN, and takes part in international working groups on standardization and interoperability.
• ENCS (European Network for Cyber Security)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with ENCS to develop cybersecurity requirements that public and private charging stations must meet to create safe charging infrastructure.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• DNV: Global testing, inspection, and certification body with a dedicated EV charging infrastructure practice. Competes for the same enterprise testing and certification budgets as ElaadNL but serves a much broader portfolio of industries.
• Intertek: Global testing and certification company with mobility and EV charging infrastructure offerings. Targets the same manufacturer customer base for interoperability, safety, and performance testing as ElaadNL but at much larger global scale.
• TÜV SÜD: Established German testing and certification giant with EV charging infrastructure services. Comparable to ElaadNL in offering conformity assessment for charging hardware but operates across many industries globally.

Direct peers

• CharIN e.V. Global association of 300+ OEMs and charging infrastructure players driving EV charging interoperability, including ISO 15118. ElaadNL hosted CharIN Testival Europe 2023 and serves overlapping manufacturer and infrastructure audiences.
• LF Energy: Linux Foundation coalition developing open-source energy projects, including OpenLEADR co-developed with ElaadNL. Operates the same open-source, grid-integration mission and shares overlapping utility and standards stakeholders.
• Flexiblepower Alliance Network (FAN): Dutch-led coalition developing open protocols and reference architectures for residential and small-scale flexibility. Joint project partner with ElaadNL on HEMS-FEID interoperability, sharing the same end-customer segments and open-source ethos.
• Open Charge Alliance: Dutch foundation that hosts OCPP, OCPI, and OSCP, the protocols ElaadNL initiated or co-initiated. Operates as the standards body ElaadNL helped create, with overlapping governance and membership.
• ENCS (European Network for Cyber Security): Collaborates with ElaadNL on cybersecurity requirements for public and private charging stations. Operates in the same EV charging infrastructure certification and standards space with overlapping utility and operator stakeholders.

Emerging players

• TNO (Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research): Dutch applied research organization with growing activity in smart energy, grid integration, and EV charging. Comparable to ElaadNL in its not-for-profit, Dutch-funded research mandate and overlapping policy and utility stakeholders.

Regional players

• VDE Renewables / VDE Prüf- und Zertifizierungsinstitut: Germany-based testing and standards body active in EV charging standards and conformity assessment. Closest direct functional peer to ElaadNL outside the Netherlands and a potential competitor if ElaadNL expands across the DACH region.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/elaadnl
• Facebookfacebook.com/ElaadNL

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ElaadNL