How much do you know about PnC charging function?

How much do you know about PnC charging function?

PnC (Plug and Charge) is a feature in the ISO 15118-20 standard. ISO 15118 is an international standard that specifies the protocols and procedures for high-level communication between electric vehicles (EVs) and charging equipment (EVSE).

Simply put, PnC means that when you charge your electric car, there\’s no need to swipe an RFID card, carry multiple RFID cards, or even scan a QR code on a rainy day. All authentication, authorization, billing, and charge control processes occur automatically in the background.

Currently, most charging stations sold or operating in the European and American markets, whether AC or DC, use EIM payment methods, with PnC only being used in select projects. As the charging station market continues to expand, the demand for PnC is growing, and so too is its popularity.

Specific distinctions between EIM and PnC: EIM (External Identification Means) employs external methods for identity verification: external payment methods such as RFID cards, mobile applications, or WeChat QR codes, which can be implemented without PLC support.

PnC (Plug and Charge) enables charging without requiring any payment action from the user, necessitating simultaneous support from charging points, operators, and electric vehicles. PnC functionality necessitates PLC support, enabling vehicle-to-charger communication via PLC. This requires OCPP 2.0 protocol compatibility to achieve Plug and Charge capability.

In essence, PnC enables electric vehicles to authenticate and authorise themselves through physical connection to charging equipment, automatically initiating and terminating charging without user intervention. This means EVs can charge autonomously upon grid connection, eliminating the need for additional card swipes or app operations to execute Plug and Charge (PnC) or wireless charging\’s Park and Charge functionality.

PNC functionality employs secure authentication through encryption and digital certificates. The charging equipment generates a digital certificate for identity verification and authorisation management. When an EV connects to the charging equipment, the latter verifies the EV\’s internal digital certificate and determines whether to permit charging based on its authorisation level. By enabling PnC functionality, the ISO 15118-20 standard significantly streamlines the EV charging process, enhances user experience, and provides heightened security. It delivers smarter, more convenient charging solutions for the electric vehicle industry. Concurrently, the PnC function serves as an indispensable foundational capability for enabling V2G (Vehicle-to-Grid) functionality under ISO 15118-20.