Allego introduces Plug & Charge to charging network
It makes Allego the first company to offer Plug & Charge based on the latest OCPP protocol, although it’s highly unlikely they will be the only company for long. Many other charge point operators (CPOs) offer Plug & Charge in Europe, including Ionity, Mer, and others. Given that charging stations can be upgraded to OCPP 2.0.1 through remote firmware updates as well as upgrades to a CPO’s CSMS software, the likelihood is that these other CPOs won’t be far behind.
As before, Plug & Charge enables compatible vehicles to charge without the need for authentication via an app, RFID token, or payment card. Instead, drivers simply have to plug in their vehicle and it will begin charging immediately. What’s different this time is that OCPP 2.0.1 is the first version to offer native support for the ISO 15118-2 standard. This adds a number of security enhancements (such as Mutual Transport Layer Security) as well as automatic certificate-based authentication, faster session initiation, improved network interoperability as well as improved real-time charging status and cost information. It also enables CPOs to deploy remote diagnostics.
In order to use Plug & Charge, drivers will have to enable it in their vehicle and, depending on the user interface, set it as the default payment method. Of course, it must be a vehicle that is compatible with Plug & Charge, which are currently offered by a number of brands including BMW, Ford, Audi, Hyundai, Kia, VW, Polestar and others. You can see which models of car support it here.
Jean Gadrat, CMO of Allego, said: “Our mission is to make EV charging at Allego more intuitive. By removing digital friction points, apps, and cards, we give drivers the confidence to travel further and charge more conveniently. Whether in the city, on the highway, or abroad, Plug & Charge delivers the same secure, one-step charging experience.”
Allego initially announced plans to roll out the new Plug & Charge standard by the end of 2024, beginning with the Netherlands and Germany. But it is only now that it has been extended to its whole charging network.
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