Autocharge

What is Autocharge?

Autocharge technology allows a driver to simply connect a charging cable to an EV to start charging, without any additional steps. User identification, authorization, and payment take place automatically in the background. Autocharge works with many (but not all) EVs that accept a Combined Charging System (CCS) connector and support CCS two-way vehicle-to-charger communications.

Why is Autocharge important to the EV charging experience?

Autocharge is one EV industry approach to creating a seamless experience for drivers that helps remove barriers to EV adoption related to public charging. After creating an account with an EV charging network that supports Autocharge, drivers complete a one-time registration. After that, any charger in that network will recognize the registered EV and initiate a charging session automatically when the car is plugged in.

Why is Autocharge important to EV charging network operators?

Autocharge is a well-established authentication method used by network operators such as EVgo, which has developed its own version called Autocharge+, to simplify charging without the cost and complexity of standards-based alternatives. For operators, Autocharge offers a faster, simpler path to smooth authentication and billing while supporting a more consistent charging experience.

Source: EVgo

What is required to implement Autocharge and how does it work?

For EV charging network operators that want to implement this capability, industry implementations of Autocharge typically require:

1. The ability to recognize a digital signature that uniquely identifies the EV when the connector is plugged in. Currently, Autocharge adopters are using either the Media Access Control (MAC) address assigned to the vehicle’s communication system or the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) as the identifier. The MAC address can only be used as an identifier when the manufacturer equips each vehicle with a unique MAC address (not all do).
2. A charger that supports open charge point protocol (OCPP) version 1.5 or later. OCPP is the EV industry standard open-source protocol for communication between charging stations and central back-end EV charging management systems. Autocharge uses the OCPP Authorize command to send the unique vehicle identifier to the management system.
3. A charging management system that supports OCPP and has the ability to authorize a charge based on the unique vehicle identifier, then send an Authorize response back to the charge point to initiate the charge. This Autocharge support can be very simple, or the management software provider can offer its network operator customers advanced features such as the ability to assign multiple vehicles to a single account.

In addition to these technical components, drivers must complete a one-time enrollment process that links their vehicle identifier to a network account. This registration is typically completed through the operator’s mobile app or web portal and enables automatic authorization during future charging sessions.

What are the benefits of Autocharge?

Autocharge offers advantages for both EV drivers and charging network operators by reducing friction during session initiation while remaining relatively straightforward to deploy.

• it offers a very user-friendly, seamless charging experience for EV drivers that is even more convenient than fueling an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle.
• it is very simple to implement, particularly for EV charging networks that use OCPP-compliant charging stations and charging management software.
• it works with both new and old EVs that use CCS charging connectors
• network providers and vehicle manufacturers can easily adapt Autocharge technology to meet their own security requirements while meeting driver expectations. 

By simplifying authentication without requiring full ISO 15118 implementation, Autocharge enables operators to improve user experience while maintaining operational flexibility.

What is the difference between Autocharge and Plug & Charge?

While Autocharge offers the same customer-friendly, streamlined user experience as Plug & Charge, another EV industry approach to simplifying the charging experience, the underlying technologies are different. Plug & Charge uses the ISO 15118 protocol specifications, digital signatures, and public key infrastructures to secure communications between the vehicle and the charging infrastructure. While this approach offers more stringent security, it is far more complex, costly, and time-consuming to implement. It also requires vehicle and charger manufacturers to support ISO 15118.

As a result, many EV charging network operators support Autocharge alongside Plug & Charge. Autocharge provides a practical, lower-complexity option for delivering a flawless charging experience across mixed vehicle fleets and existing infrastructure. As ISO 15118 certification and ecosystem support continue to mature, Plug & Charge adoption will also continue to scale across newer vehicles, chargers, and back-end systems.

Why is Autocharge important as fast charging infrastructure expands?

Public fast charging infrastructure in the United States experienced record growth in 2025, with approximately 18,000 new DC fast-charging ports added. This is a roughly 30% year-over-year increase in deployment and an estimated 141 million charging sessions delivered across networks.

As fast charging networks grow and session volume increases, issues can occur such as:

• delays in authentication or payment that can result in failed session starts and driver frustration
• additional steps at the charger that increase the likelihood of avoidable errors
• increased strain on customer support teams when drivers are unable to start sessions successfully

Autocharge removes extra authentication steps, helping operators initiate sessions more quickly and maintain consistent performance as infrastructure scales.

Driivz support for Autocharge

As authentication models evolve, charging management platforms play a central role in enabling Autocharge and Plug & Charge. Driivz supports OCPP-based integrations and advanced authorization workflows, helping operators scale charging infrastructure while maintaining a consistent, positive driver experience.