VDV 261 in Practice: Advancing Interoperability with RATP in Paris

The RATP Group is one of Europe’s largest providers of urban mobility services. Headquartered in Paris, the group transports more than 16 million passengers every day and operates in more than a dozen countries worldwide. As part of the Bus 2025 program, RATP is playing a key role in the electrification of public transport in the Paris region, supported by strong technology partners such as CarMedialab.

Bringing standards to life – together

At the heart of the collaboration is the implementation of the VDV 261 interface. It enables seamless communication between electric buses, charging infrastructure and the charge management system – essential for functions such as automated preconditioning of the battery and passenger cabin before departure. This not only improves comfort and range, but also increases energy efficiency and battery life. However, real-world implementation is rarely straightforward: different manufacturers, complex protocols and a lack of transparency in error reporting often pose major challenges.

A tool that makes a difference

To simplify this complexity, RATP and CarMedialab jointly developed a VDV 261 test tool. It simulates the full communication process between vehicle and charging infrastructure without the need for a physical vehicle or charging station.

Key benefits at a glance:

• Automated testing under realistic conditions
• Fast troubleshooting with detailed protocol analysis
• Significantly more efficient commissioning
• User-friendly interface for easy operation

A practical solution for manufacturers, workshops and transport operators.

A strong step toward interoperability

The joint development of this tool is an important milestone in making interoperability in electric bus operations a reality. Thanks to a robust technical framework, transport operators like RATP can now integrate new systems more quickly and reliably automate their charging processes.

“The RATP Group has made innovation a key part of its DNA and a powerful driver of its development. To achieve this, it can rely on its own innovation capabilities and an open ecosystem in which partner companies such as CarMedialab play a key role. The tool is powerful, easy to use, and ensures interoperability, which is the cornerstone of electric mobility. I am proud of the results of this collaboration!”

Jérôme Sahuc, IT Manager RATP Bus 2025 Program

We sincerely thank the RATP Group for the excellent collaboration and look forward to continuing to shape the future of zero-emission public transport together.