A new framework for electric vehicle (EV) charging was announced on December 4, 2024, aimed at enabling seamless and secure charging at any public station.

This initiative is a collaboration between SAE Industry Technologies Consortia, its EVPKI Consortium, and the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation.

The framework, known as the Electric Vehicle Public Key Infrastructure (EVPKI), will facilitate secure communication between vehicles, chargers, and networks, promoting interoperability across the charging ecosystem.

Currently, the EV charging experience is fragmented due to different proprietary systems used by automakers and charging networks, but the EVPKI framework aims to unify these systems.

The rollout of the Plug & Charge model, which will simplify the charging experience similar to refueling a gasoline vehicle, is set to begin in 2025.

Gabe Klein, Executive Director of the Joint Office, highlighted that this universal Plug & Charge system will greatly enhance user convenience.

The EVPKI framework aims to enable automatic charging without the need for payment processing, streamlining the overall experience.

Tim Weisenberger, SAE EVPKI Director, emphasized the framework's focus on interoperability, scalability, and flexibility in EV charging solutions.

Key benefits of the EVPKI framework include faster automated charging, improved cybersecurity protocols, and the potential for advanced technologies like vehicle-grid integration (VGI).

The EVPKI Consortium consists of various stakeholders in the EV charging ecosystem, including automakers, charger manufacturers, and service providers.