Charging network operator Electrify America and interoperability specialist Hubject have announced a strategic agreement to develop a system that will allow drivers to pay for charging simply by plugging in their vehicles.

Hubject will provide its expertise in the implementation of the global standard ISO 15118 in the North American market. A feature called Plug&Charge, which enables a vehicle to authorize a charging session using secure digital communication, will be incorporated into Electrify America’s public and home chargers. All of Electrify America’s charging systems are prepared for Plug&Charge, and will be updated with software later this year.

With Plug&Charge-enabled vehicles and infrastructure, an EV driver will simply plug a vehicle into a public charger, and the charging session will begin automatically, with no card or app required. Several automakers are beginning to add this feature to their EVs.

“Our highest priority is to enable a premium EV customer experience to our partners, and as the industry leader in Plug&Charge technology it is a natural fit that we would work together,” said Paul Glenney, North American CEO of Hubject. “This will make it easier to charge an EV than to use a gas pump.”

“Plug&Charge is a game-changing technology for consumers that will make their electric vehicle a virtual credit card when charging at our stations,” said Giovanni Palazzo, CEO of Electrify America. “Following a simple registration, the owners of electric vehicles with ISO 15118 capability will be able to plug into an Electrify America charger, and it will automatically start a charge with Plug&Charge handling authentication and billing.”

Source: Electrify America