PlugandChargeFunktionen

Plug and Charge is a standardized approach to automatic authentication and billing for electric vehicle charging sessions. By enabling a vehicle to identify itself to a charging station without a separate card or app prompt, it aims to streamline the user experience and reduce friction at the point of connection. The concept is most closely associated with the vehicle-to-grid communication standards developed for electric mobility.

In practice, Plug and Charge relies on digital certificates and secure communication between the vehicle and the electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE). When a plug is connected, the vehicle presents a certificate that the EVSE can validate. If accepted, the EVSE invokes back-end authorization and billing procedures on behalf of the user, creating and recording a charging session automatically. This process typically occurs over TLS and uses an established PKI infrastructure managed by charging network operators and/or automakers.

The feature is anchored in ISO 15118, the road vehicle to grid communication standard. ISO 15118 defines how vehicles and charging stations exchange data for identification, authorization, and energy management, including the Plug and Charge workflow. Implementations may require cooperation among automakers, charging networks, and certification authorities to ensure interoperability and secure certificate provisioning.

Benefits of Plug and Charge include a smoother user experience, reduced need for physical cards or apps, and potential improvements in billing accuracy and session management. Limitations involve the need for compatible hardware and certificates, regional deployment differences, and privacy concerns related to automatic vehicle identification and data sharing.