What Is Vehicle Identification (EV Charging)?

Vehicle identification lets a charger recognise which specific EV has been plugged in, using a unique ID exchanged automatically over the charging cable rather than a separate app, card, or PIN.

How the Charger Recognises the Car

Modern EVs and chargers can communicate digitally over the same cable used to deliver power, using powerline communication (PLC) compliant with ISO 15118. As part of that handshake, the vehicle presents a unique identifier and, where supported, a digital certificate that authenticates it automatically — a feature known as Plug & Charge. The driver just plugs in; no app, card, or account login is required to start the session.

Where a vehicle or charger doesn't support Plug & Charge, identification typically falls back to an RFID card, app authorisation, or manual PIN entry instead.

Why It Matters for Fleets

For fleet and depot operators, vehicle identification is what makes per-vehicle billing, access control, and usage reporting possible without manual logging. A depot with mixed ownership — company vehicles, leased vehicles, or a public-facing site — can attribute every session to the correct vehicle and account automatically.

Neutron's Approach

Our DC terminals and Master Units support ISO 15118 communication and Plug & Charge where the connected vehicle allows it, alongside RFID and app-based authentication as fallback options managed through Electron.

Does vehicle identification need an app or RFID card?

No. Vehicle identification via ISO 15118 (Plug & Charge) authenticates automatically over the charging cable itself, using a certificate stored in the vehicle. An app or RFID card is a separate authentication method used by chargers or vehicles that don't support Plug & Charge.

Is vehicle identification the same as Plug & Charge?

Plug & Charge is the feature; vehicle identification is the underlying mechanism that makes it possible. The charger identifies the vehicle's unique ID over the cable, which is what allows the session to start and be billed automatically without any separate authentication step.