To charge an electric vehicle, you usually need to open a mobile app, scan a QR code, use an RFID card, or enter payment information. The fact that different charging networks have different apps and membership systems can complicate the user experience, especially on long trips.
Plug & Charge technology aims to simplify this process. In this system—which can be translated into Turkish as “Tak ve Şarj Et”—all the driver essentially needs to do is connect a compatible charging cable to their vehicle. The vehicle and the charging station recognize each other electronically, verify charging authorization, and once the transaction is approved, the energy transfer begins automatically.
However, simply plugging in the cable is not enough. For Plug & Charge to work, the entire system—from the vehicle to the charging station, and from the operator’s software to the digital certificate infrastructure—must be compatible with one another.
What is Plug & Charge?
Plug & Charge is a standards-based technology that enables an electric vehicle to automatically identify itself at a compatible charging station and be authorized for the charging process.
Charging can be initiated without the need for an external authentication method, such as a mobile app, RFID card, or bank card. Billing is handled through the charging service agreement associated with the vehicle.
The basic communication structure between the vehicle and the charging station ISO 15118 is defined by the standard. According to CharIN, Plug & Charge automates the identification, authorization, and billing processes between the vehicle and the charging station while leveraging a certificate-based security infrastructure.
How does Plug & Charge work?
Although the process visible to the user lasts only a few seconds, multiple systems work together in the background:
- The cable is connected to the vehicle. The vehicle and the charging station detect the physical connection.
- Digital communication begins. The vehicle and the charging station exchange information regarding the features and charging conditions supported under ISO 15118.
- The vehicle identifies itself. The contract certificate found in the vehicle is used for charging service authorization.
- Permissions are checked. The station and the operator’s central management system verify the validity of the certificate and the relevant service agreement.
- Charging begins. If authorization is successful, the energy transfer begins and the fee is charged to the relevant user's account.
During this process, the bank card number does not need to be shared directly between the vehicle and the station. The vehicle is identified using the user’s digital identity information, as specified in the service agreement, rather than their payment method.
What is required for the system to work?
The presence of a CCS socket at a station does not automatically mean that the station supports Plug & Charge. End-to-end compatibility is required:
- The electric vehicle must support ISO 15118 and Plug & Charge.
- A valid contract certificate must be defined in the vehicle.
- The charging unit must support the necessary communication hardware and software.
- The charging network management system must be able to handle certification procedures.
- There must be an authorization and billing infrastructure in place between the operator and the charging service provider.
- A trusted public key infrastructure (PKI) that manages digital certificates must be used.
Therefore, the presence of the “Plug & Charge” option in the vehicle menu does not guarantee that the feature will work at every station. Similarly, an ISO 15118-compliant station alone is not sufficient without compatible vehicles, a service agreement, and the necessary certification infrastructure.
Are ISO 15118 and OCPP the same thing?
No. The two systems manage different connections.
ISO 15118, it manages communication between the electric vehicle and the charging station. OCPP It is used for communication between the charging station and the operator’s central management software.
The Open Charge Alliance states that OCPP 2.0.1 supports ISO 15118-based Plug & Charge authorization. The newer OCPP 2.1 version, meanwhile, introduces additional features such as ISO 15118-20 and bidirectional energy transfer.
The fact that a station uses only OCPP does not mean that the Plug & Charge feature is enabled. The relevant OCPP version, ISO 15118 support, certificate management, and the operator’s infrastructure must all be configured together.
What is the difference between Plug & Charge and Autocharge?
Both technologies are designed to recognize the vehicle when the cable is connected and to make it easy to start charging; however, their technical structures are not the same.
| Feature | Plug & Charge | Autocharge |
|---|---|---|
| Basic structure | ISO 15118 standard | The vehicle's unique identification number |
| Authorization | Digital Certificates and PKI | Vehicle ID registered with the operator |
| Applications | Interoperability goals among compatible ecosystems | It generally operates within a specific charging network |
| First use | A contract certificate is defined | It is recorded in the vehicle operator's account |
| User Experience | Charge by connecting the cable | Charge by connecting the cable |
Autocharge is a simpler vehicle identification method; Plug & Charge, based on ISO 15118, is a more comprehensive and standardized system that includes certificate management.
Does Plug & Charge increase the charging speed?
No. Plug & Charge does not increase the charging power or the amount of energy the battery can accept. It simply streamlines the identification, authorization, and payment process.
The charging speed depends on the following factors:
- The vehicle's maximum AC or DC charging power,
- The battery temperature,
- Current occupancy rate,
- The vehicle's charge curve,
- The power the station can provide,
- Power sharing and system limits at the station.
Therefore, the Plug & Charge feature can reduce the time spent waiting before charging begins; however, it does not directly shorten the actual charging time from 10% to 80%.
Is Plug & Charge available in Turkey?
Although there are no conceptual barriers to the use of this technology in Turkey, it would not yet be accurate to speak of universal compatibility across all vehicles and charging networks. Usability varies depending on the vehicle’s software, the station’s hardware, the operator’s infrastructure, and certification agreements.
In Turkey, users can now initiate charging using carrier apps, QR codes, RFID cards, debit or credit cards, and various automatic recognition solutions. The EPDK also defines interoperability as the exchange of data and payments that enables charging network operators to provide services to each other’s users.
Roaming and Plug & Charge are not the same thing. Roaming allows a user to access service from a station operated by a different provider. Plug & Charge, on the other hand, automates the authentication and charging initiation steps in compatible systems. When these two systems work together, they can create a more seamless charging experience across different networks.
What should users keep in mind?
An electric vehicle owner who wants to use Plug & Charge should check the following points:
- Does the vehicle support the ISO 15118-based Plug & Charge feature?
- Is this feature enabled in the current vehicle software?
- Is the charging network compatible with this vehicle model?
- Is a valid charging service agreement set up for the vehicle?
- Is the certificate updated when the contract or payment method changes?
- If the system isn't working, is there an option to start a top-up using the app, a QR code, or a card?
The vehicle manufacturer’s user manual and the charging network operator’s current compatibility statements should be reviewed together.
Conclusion: Toward a simpler charging experience
Plug & Charge has the potential to make charging electric vehicles even simpler than paying for gas. Instead of having to switch between different apps, swipe a card, or initiate a transaction with a QR code, users may simply need to plug in the cable.
However, the technology does not rely on a single feature found only in the vehicle or at the charging station. The automaker, the charging unit, the operator software, the service provider, and the certification infrastructure must all work together seamlessly.
As shared roaming and app-free payment options continue to develop in Turkey, Plug & Charge could become one of the key technologies that enhances the user experience. However, the key to widespread adoption lies not only in convenience but also in secure certificate management, interoperability, and clear compatibility information.
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