case study

AUTHENTICATION FOR DIGITAL TRANSACTIONS

CHALLENGE: 

Establishing a comprehensive, interoperable infrastructure for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations is vital in increasing sales for EVs. When a driver plugs their electric car into a charging station, authentication data is exchanged between the vehicle, the charging station, and the power grid in order to authorize the charge. However, EV charging networks have evolved independently from one another, using different and often incompatible authentication credentials. As a result, EV drivers had to hold multiple authentication credentials (generally one for each EV charging network). This has also forced EV drivers to maintain multiple service relationships with varying access, registrations, account balances, and payment methods—an inconvenience that discourages EV purchases.

SOLUTION: 

The EV Charging Network Interoperability Standard – NEMA EVSE 1-2018 – addresses this issue through RFID-type credentials that are recognizable by all charging networks that conform to the standard. Drivers can hold up an RFID code (in the form of a wallet-sized card, keychain fob, image on their cell phone, or similar physical token) to the EV charging station, validating their purchase. This enables service interoperability, giving drivers the freedom to travel further while maintaining access to more chargers among a wide range of compatible equipment and participating networks.

This industry standard offers multiple business benefits:

• Ease of use and improved functionality that increases overall EV adoption and customer retention
• Assurance to the charging network that the EV driver is appropriately authorized to be charged for the service—reducing expenses associated with fraudulent charges or accounts in poor standing
• Reduction in manufacturing costs as sales rise
• Support for the development of new features and systems going forward: functionality of RFID codes can be upgraded without changing the station’s entire infrastructure

Source(s): 

USNC Current, Volume 15, No. 2 (Spring 2020)

NEMA EVSE 1 A Charging Network Interoperability Standard - A Contactless RFID Credential for Authentication

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