What Is Autocharge?

Autocharge is a technology that allows an electric vehicle to start charging automatically when it is plugged into a compatible charging station, without manual authentication such as an app, RFID card, or QR code. It streamlines the charging process by removing the usual steps a driver must take before charging begins.

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EV Driver Experience using Autocharge

Autocharge brings a Plug&Charge-like experience to DC chargers for users of (CCS based) BEVs that do not support ISO 15118-based Plug&Charge. Autocharge is based on the fact that all BEVs send a unique Vehicle ID* (a.k.a. ‘VID’) over the CCS protocol when the connector is plugged into a DC charger that supports Autocharge. This VID uniquely identifies the vehicle (and, by extension, the user). It is linked to the user’s charge token for payment. Autocharge requires a one-time registration (that is, linking the VID to the user’s charge token).

How Autocharge Works

Autocharge relies on a unique identifier tied to the vehicle, typically the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or MAC address from the EV’s charge controller. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how the system works:

1. Vehicle Recognition: When an EV is plugged into an Autocharge-enabled charging station, the charging station receives the unique identifier of the vehicle via the communication line in the CCS connector. This is usually done through the car’s onboard communication system or by reading the MAC address of the EV’s charging hardware.

2. Authentication: The charging station then communicates this identifier to the GreenFlux platform, where it checks whether the vehicle has been registered for Autocharge. This registration is typically done by the end user as a one-time action via the Charge Assist app or a customer's self-built app connected to the GreenFlux Charge Assist API.

3. Automatic Start: Once the vehicle is recognized and authenticated, the charging session starts automatically without any further input from the driver.

4. Billing and Tracking: Just like with a regular charge session, the GreenFlux system will generate a CDR for the charging session with the calculated charging cost based on the billing rules related to the payment method that the end-user mapped to their Autocharge registration.

Autocharge Conditions & Restrictions

Works with DC chargers only, via the CCS connector only

Supported by almost all CCS-based BEV models/platforms - not supported on EVs that use a rotating instead of static Mac address as the Vehicle ID

The DC charge station model/FW must support Autocharge

The backend platform must support Autocharge

A capability must be present that allows for the (one-time) Autocharge registration of a user’s BEV. Also, a user-facing capability must be present to enable and disable Autocharge at any moment the user prefers to - Charge Assist API offers this capability.

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RISKS:

If car does not send a stable identifier, the feature won’t work. Some manufacturers pool/randomize MAC addresses, which makes Autocharge unsuitable.

For vehicles that randomize or pool MAC addresses, Autocharge must be considered unsupported. Attempting to enable it leads to unreliable charging behavior and degraded user experience.

Autocharge functional flow

Autocharge vs. ISO 15118 Plug & Charge

You may have heard of Plug & Charge, a similar feature that allows EVs to automatically start charging when connected to a charging station. While both Autocharge and Plug & Charge aim to simplify the charging process, there are multiple key differences in the background (not directly of relevance to end users) to be aware of:

Autocharge: Typically works with a wide range of EV platforms (i.e. EV car models), including older generation EV platforms, and doesn’t require specific hardware or additional software protocols in the vehicle. It is a feature that can be provided by CPOs and makes use of the technology present in almost all EV platforms. In addition, the Autocharge functionality must be supported by the backend platform. GreenFlux supports Autocharge. There is a dependency on the charge station hardware and firmware, only certain charge station hardware products with certain firmware versions support Autocharge. Besides, specific settings must be made in charge station configuration settings in order to activate the Autocharge feature on a charge station, which in most cases can be done remotely via the GreenFlux platform. Autocharge in general only works on DC charge stations and only via the CCS connector, however a few charge station manufacturers can offer Autocharge on their AC charge station products - under specific technical conditions.

Plug & Charge: Based on the ISO 15118 standard, Plug & Charge requires that both the charging station and the EV platform (i.e. EV car model) support this specific protocol. In addition, the ISO15118 Plug&Charge functionality must be supported by the backend platform, and an integration with a so-called certificate authority hub must be in place. GreenFlux supports ISO15118 Plug & Charge and is integrated with the certificate authority. There is a dependency on the charge station hardware and firmware, only certain charge station hardware products with certain firmware versions support ISO15118 Plug & Charge. Besides, specific settings must be made in charge station configuration settings in order to activate the ISO15118 Plug & Charge feature on a charge station, which can be done remotely via the GreenFlux platform. In contrary to Autocharge, where the CPO can activate Autocharge autonomously, regardless of the eMSP that the end user wants to use as long as it is a roaming partner, in ISO15118 Plug & Charge besides the CPO also the eMSP (of the subscription that the end user wants to use for payment) must be a participant in the ISO15118 Plug&Charge ecosystem. Compared with Autocharge, ISO15118 Plug & Charge offers additional security and encrypted communication between the EV, the charge station, and the backend platforms. ISO15118 Plug & Charge is not supported by older generation EV platforms; it can only be found in most recent EV platforms (i.e. the most recent EV car models). ISO15118 Plug & Charge can work on DC and on AC charge stations (of the latest hardware generations only).

As indicated, the GreenFlux platform supports both Autocharge and ISO15118 Plug&Charge.

User flow in Charge Assist app (unbranded or white label)

User opens the app.

User goes to the personal area → Me icon at the bottom.

User clicks on Autocharge in order to enable it - user register before being able to proceed with Autocharge activation. At this stage, user should confirm having a compatible car.

User selects the payment method that should be linked and used as when carrying out sessions using Autocharge.

Use must explicitly confirm which of the important aspects of this functionality, for it to work smoothly.

Follow the instructions to initiate a session and subsequently associate its car with the Autocharge functionality.

User Flow in Charge Assist API

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For information on enabling this feature through API, check AutoCharge