Electrify America and Hubject announced the next significant step in the upcoming launch of a simplified, convenient system for electric vehicle charging (EV) called “Plug&Charge.” Drivers will no longer need to reach for a wallet, smartphone or bankcard as the system enables EV drivers to simply plug their vehicle into a charger for the charging session to begin automatically.

By offering the Plug&Charge solution in North America, drivers using Electrify America stations will enjoy faster charging session authentication and authorization. The new system will be fully operational in 2020, when Plug&Charge-compatible EVs are projected to be available to customers.

The system, operated by Hubject, is a key component in implementing “Plug&Charge” technology and using the ISO 15118 standard across Electrify America’s network.

ISO 15118 is an international standard that outlines the secured communication protocol that an electric vehicle and charging station should use to recharge the EV’s battery. It enables the simplified charging functionality for the most prevalent EV charging connector type, called the Combined Charging System (CCS).

The system uses the processes and procedures developed in tandem with security experts around the world to enable encrypted, convenient and fast Plug&Charge functionalities across North America. Hubject’s North American based V2G Root and Certificate Authority is the first of its kind and the second system globally, based on Hubject’s already established European system. It will enable encrypted communication for a seamless customer charging experience in North America.