A universal 'Plug and Charge' protocol for electric vehicle charging is expected to arrive in 2025.
Sure, simple, and automatic.
The current situation of the electric vehicle (EV) charging system is considered fragmented and frustrating, which has been identified as one of the main obstacles to the adoption of these cars. The difficulty of having to register with various charging apps and deal with payment information every time a vehicle is connected can discourage many consumers. However, a new collaboration between the nonprofit organization SAE International, a consortium of automakers and charging operators, along with the Biden administration, aims to simplify this process with the announcement of a framework for a universal “Plug and Charge” system that will be officially implemented early next year.
Gabe Klein, executive director of the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation, highlighted that the proposal would allow drivers to simply plug in their vehicle, with everything managed automatically in the cloud, enabling billing without additional steps. Tim Weisenberger, project manager of emerging technologies standards at SAE International, mentioned that this implementation represents a security solution for electric vehicle charging.
The goal of the framework is to provide a hassle-free charging experience, where any electric vehicle can connect to any public charger without requiring additional actions from the owner. This aligns with the official international standard ISO 15118, which allows for automatic charging and payment upon connecting the vehicle. In vehicles utilizing Plug & Charge, the charger securely communicates with the vehicle and handles billing directly, eliminating the need to register for apps or provide additional payment information. Although this technology is already present in several models, its adoption has been uneven.
Tesla has been a pioneer in this type of technology, as its Superchargers were designed from the outset to work interoperably with its cars. However, for other manufacturers to adopt Plug & Charge, they must negotiate individually with third-party charging companies, so the new framework from SAE International and its allies is expected to complement and enhance the ISO standard with a universal protocol that is secure and simplified.
One of the key features of this initiative is a Trust List that allows for automatic and secure authentication at the moment the vehicle connects. Sarah Hipel, interim CTO of the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation, stated that a more robust system could be beneficial, and that the group is specifically focused on the authorization and authentication mechanism, which is independent of the ISO 15118-2 standard. This trust list will facilitate interoperability among different public key infrastructures, enabling competition in the charging market.
Participants anticipate that most manufacturers will use an existing mechanism to secure charges through authorization and authentication. This framework arises from an agreement established between the SAE International Industrial Technologies Consortium and the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation, which groups employees from the U.S. Department of Transportation and the U.S. Department of Energy. Consortium members include major charging providers and automakers, with the expectation that more will integrate in the future.
The project, which has cost approximately $1.5 million and is funded by the participating companies, is considered an industry-led initiative requested and funded by vehicle manufacturers. In addition to providing a simple charging experience for EV owners, additional benefits such as vehicle-to-grid (V2G) communication and bidirectional charging are anticipated, allowing electric vehicles to return energy to the grid, contributing to a more resilient energy system. Despite the possibility of a change in administration, it is believed that this effort will continue due to the current market dynamics.
