What is the difference between Autocharge and Plug & Charge
Autocharge and Plug & Charge both let charging start automatically when you plug in. Your plug-in and start experience at the physical charger should be the same with either technology.
Most vehicles support either Autocharge or Plug & Charge, and some don’t support automatic start at all. The key difference between the technologies is mainly in how they work behind the scenes and how they’re set up.
Differences
Function | Autocharge | Plug & Charge |
|---|---|---|
Setup | Confirm your car in the app after completing a few compatible charge sessions. | Enter your car’s Plug & Charge ID (PCID) in the app. A secure certificate is then created to link your car and account. |
How it works | Uses your car’s identifier to recognise your car and start charging. | Uses the ISO 15118 standard to authenticate your car and charger using digital certificates. |
Account linking | Can only be linked to one ChargeNet account. | If supported by your car, multiple ChargeNet accounts can be linked and switched in the car’s settings |
Can I set up Autocharge and Plug & Charge on the same vehicle?
While possible, for the best experience, we recommend using one automatic charging method per vehicle.
If a vehicle is linked to both technologies (on the same or different accounts), the charger may choose one to start the session. This could mean the charge is billed to a different ChargeNet account than you expected.