Explanation
A Plug & Charge certificate is a cryptographic credential installed in your car's communication module. When you plug into a charger that supports ISO 15118 Plug & Charge, the car and charger exchange certificates to verify identity and authorize the session. No app, no card, no screen interaction needed.
Think of it like a digital passport for your car. The certificate links your vehicle to your charging account and payment method. Certificate management is handled by a Certificate Provisioning Service, and platforms like Hubject manage the trust chain that makes cross-network Plug & Charge possible.
Setting up a Plug & Charge certificate usually involves registering through your car manufacturer's app or portal and linking a payment method. Once installed, it works automatically at any compatible charger. Not all cars and not all networks support this yet, but adoption is growing steadily.
Read more at Hubject.
Where you'll see this
- In charging network apps
Common confusion
People sometimes think Plug & Charge works everywhere automatically. It requires both the car and the charger to support ISO 15118 with Plug & Charge, plus the certificate must be set up through your car's ecosystem.
Example
A BMW owner sets up Plug & Charge through the My BMW app, linking their Ionity account. From then on, plugging into any Ionity station starts and bills the session automatically.
Related terms
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From Finn, engineer: Understanding charging terminology helps you troubleshoot faster at the charger. These definitions are based on industry standards and our consulting work with automotive manufacturers.
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