The Growing Demand for Simpler Public EV Charging
As electric vehicle adoption continues to accelerate across Europe, public charging remains one of the most discussed and criticised — aspects of the EV experience.
EV drivers frequently encounter:
- Multiple charging apps and user accounts
- Inconsistent payment methods
- Roaming issues when travelling across borders
- Unclear or fragmented charging procedures
These challenges have made ease of use a top priority for both drivers and policymakers.
This is precisely where plug-and-charge comes into focus.
📌What Is Plug-and-Charge?
Plug-and-Charge is a public charging technology based on the ISO 15118 standard.
It enables an electric vehicle to:
✅Automatically identify itself when connected to a charger;
✅Authenticate securely using encrypted digital certificates;
✅Start charging and handle billing without any manual interaction.
In practical terms: The driver simply plugs in the cable, and charging starts automatically.
❌APPs; ❌RFID cards; ❌QR codes.
How Plug-and-Charge Works?
Behind this seamless experience is a secure communication process between the vehicle, the charging station, and the backend system.
In simplified form:
⚡The vehicle presents a digital contract certificate;
⚡Secure communication is established using encryption;
⚡The charger verifies the contract via the backend platform;
⚡Charging starts automatically and billing is processed in the background.
This process relies on:
⚡ISO 15118 communication protocols
⚡Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)
⚡Certificate lifecycle and backend management
⚡All of this complexity remains invisible to the user.
Why Plug-and-Charge Is Designed for Public Charging?
Plug-and-Charge was created to address the specific complexity of public charging environments.
Public charging infrastructure typically involves:
- Multiple charge point operators (CPOs)
- Different mobility service providers (eMSPs)
- Cross-border roaming
- Per-session billing
Traditional public charging methods require drivers to actively identify themselves and initiate payment. Plug & Charge removes these steps entirely, significantly reducing friction, especially suitable for cross-border charging in Europe. Drivers regularly travel between countries with different charging networks and operators.
Regulatory Momentum in Europe
🔋The adoption of Plug & Charge is also driven by policy.
The EU’s Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) focuses on:
- Publicly accessible charging infrastructure
- Ease of access and transparency
- A harmonised user experience across member states
While AFIR doesn't explicitly mandate Plug & Charge, it strongly encourages automated and user-friendly public charging solutions, especially for DC fast charging stations.
As a result, ISO 15118 support is increasingly seen as a future-proof requirement for public charging infrastructure in Europe.
🔋In the European market, Plug & Charge is currently most common in:
- Public DC fast charging stations
- Highway charging hubs
- Large-scale urban public charging sites
AC public charging is gradually adopting similar concepts, but DC remains the primary deployment focus due to higher user expectations and regulatory attention.
📌From Public Charging to Home Charging: A Different Context
Public charging and home charging serve fundamentally different purposes.
Plug & Charge was designed to simplify shared, commercial, and cross-operator environments.
At home, charging takes place in a private and controlled setting:
🔌The charger is not shared with the public;
🔌The user is known;
🔌There is no roaming or per-session payment
For this reason, most home EV chargers in Europe are designed around simplicity, safety, and energy optimisation, rather than public Plug & Charge mechanisms.
📌Does This Mean Home EV Chargers Do Not Need “Plug-and-Charge” at All?
The answer is NO. Home charging does not follow a single model. Different households have different driving habits, electrical installations, and energy priorities. As a result, EV chargers for home are typically selected based on functional needs, not public charging authentication standards.
How to Choose the Right Home EV Charger?
In practice, most home EV chargers can be grouped into three functional categories:
1. PLUG-AND-PLAY Charging — Simple and Reliable
Designed for straightforward daily charging.
Applicable to : Automatic charging when plugged in; For the older or anyone who hates complicated procedures; Installed in your own home garage, so don’t need to worry about strangers using it.
👍Morec Recommendations: Plug-and-play 7/11kW Wallbox Charger
2. RFID-CONTROLLED Charging — Simple and Privatized
Start charging via specific cards
Applicable to: Automatic charging when plugged in; For the older or anyone who hates complicated procedures; Installed outside the home, such as in the underground parking lot of an apartment building, outside the courtyard or the house is used as a guesthouse.
👍Morec Recommendations: RFID-controlled 7kW Wallbox Charger
3. APP-CONTROLLED Charging — Flexible and Optimised
For users who want greater control over charging via smart home EV charger
Applicable to: Scheduled charging via APP; Adjust current; Monitoring of charging sessions and energy use
👍Morec Recommendations: APP-controlled 7/11/22kW Wallbox Charger
📌Conclusion
Plug & Charge is reshaping public EV charging in Europe, delivering a simpler and more seamless experience for drivers across different networks and countries.
Home charging, however, operates under a different logic. Rather than replicating public charging technologies, home EV chargers are chosen based on how people live, drive, and manage energy at home.
Understanding this distinction allows EV drivers to choose the right charging solution for the right environment — and get the most out of their electric vehicle experience.
