Universal EV charging framework set to roll out in 2025

A new protocol aims to make it easier to publicly charge EVs – eliminating a lot of the hassle associated with driving the cars. The question is — will it help to lure more consumers to electric vehicles, as a selling point for the average car buyer?

First things first: The charging framework consists of a partnership between the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), a group of automakers, EV charging operators, and the Biden Administration’s Joint Office of Energy and Transportation to create a universal Plug & Charge protocol.    

• The universal charging framework builds on the official international standard (ISO 15118), also called Plug & Charge that enables automatic charging and payment as soon as the EV is plugged in.

• Plug & Charge enables the charger to securely communicate with the vehicle to bill the EV owner without the need for app signups or additional billing information.  

• The new charging framework enhances the ISO standard with several unique features, including a Certified Trust List to enable secure automated authentication right when the vehicle is plugged in. 

The new universal Plug and Charge protocol – which works similar to Tesla’s supercharger system but with broader capabilities − will begin rolling out in 2025.  

Digging deeper: A key component of the new Plug & Charge protocol is that it’s being led by the auto industry and was initiated by automakers who are funding the project.   

• The list of current automakers involved in the project includes Ford, General Motors, Tesla, Rivian, Toyota, and BMW.

• Charging providers involved in the project include BP Pulse, ChargePoint, and Electrify America. 

• To date, the project has tallied up to around $1.5 million, with the participating partners helping to fund future costs moving forward.

According to The Verge, reports that the universal plug and charge framework will also help address concerns about overloading the grid with EV charging, via its secure vehicle-to-grid (V2G) communication and bidirectional charging, which enables EVs to send power back to the grid. 

Weighing it all: Making public charging more seamless and hassle-free will certainly help to lure some car buyers to electric vehicles. How many and how soon remains to be seen, given some of the other consumer barriers associated with electric vehicles such as pricing, the availability of public charging locations (perceived or real), and the fact that many car buyers still don’t know much about EVs.

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