Plug & Charge function of EV Charging software enables the simplified authorization and makes charging an EV convenient for the users. At Tridens, we continuously strive toward making EV charging more convenient for all those involved, from Charge Point Operators (CPO) and Electro Mobility Service Providers (EMSP) to EV drivers.
What is Plug and Charge?
The term “Plug and Charge” refers to an EV charging management system which enables EV drivers to pull up alongside an EV charging station, which uses Tridens EV charging software, and go off to do something else while their vehicle gets charged. There is no requirement for an RFID card, phone, or other hassles.
Our opinion at Tridens is that the current charging experience available to EV owners is sub-optimal. EV drivers must sign up for charging plans, download apps, reload RFID cards, or undergo some other inconvenience to get their vehicles charged.
The current situation is not good enough, but new EV charging trends are emerging, and Plug and Charge is one of them.
To help persuade everyone to switch to electric vehicles, Tridens has developed a smart EV charging software that makes charging an EV as simple as charging a phone.
How does it work?
It is all to do with communication. Effective communication is a two-way process, and so it needs to be between the EV and the smart charging stations. Plug and Charge facilities communicate in both directions based on industry-standard ISO 15118 internet protocol and Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP).
Currently, Tesla is the only major company providing such a service for its customers, and this is provided only at chargers branded by Tesla. The reason is to do with every vehicle being linked to the identity of its owner. When an EV gets plugged in to charge, Tesla uses the vehicle’s connectivity and intelligence to associate the user with the charging session.
Plug and Charge utilizes the Smartcar API to access a vehicle’s VIN number. It accomplishes the same as Tesla, but for any vehicle connected to a charger. Our Tridens EV Charging software allows Tridens charging management system to combine numerous data points, associate the driver with their location, and start a charging session.
The combination of smart charging management and vehicle information enables tens of thousands of EV drivers to enjoy app-less charging functionality when they couldn’t previously.
How To Sign Up For Plug and Charge?
Sign-up for Plug and Charge is available on the Tridens EV Charging app, and it can be completed with just a few mouse clicks. Once they’ve signed up, Tridens EV Charge software will verify the identity from retrieved vehicle identity information whenever a driver plugs their electric car into a charging station. On successful identification, the charging session gets initiated by Tridens EV Charge.
The system also monitors the charging session’s status until the battery reaches its specified charging threshold. When using the Plug and Charge system, charging hosts may allocate a specific driving range (number of miles) or set another specific battery threshold for the EV.
As previously mentioned, drivers of Tesla vehicles can only use Tesla-branded chargers. This situation makes it challenging for private or public parking facilities to install Tesla charges as no other vehicles can use them. With Plug and Charge, everyone, including Tesla drivers, can enjoy the same app-less charging experience at stations managed by Tridens EV Charge.
We cover major EV brands, including Audi, Mercedes, Nissan, Renault, and Volkswagen, and look forward to a world where charging EVs is convenient and straightforward, improving drivers’ experience anytime and anywhere.
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