1. Europe’s EV Charging Market: Regulations Driving Reliability and Convenience
Europe’s electric vehicle (EV) market has been expanding at an unprecedented pace. Public charging networks are growing denser, charging speeds are accelerating, and at the same time, users are demanding higher levels of reliability, interoperability, and ease of use. Policy reforms are reinforcing this shift:
• AFIR (Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation) — Regulation (EU) 2023/1804 — has made it mandatory for all public EV charging infrastructure across Europe to meet consistent standards, ensuring both convenience and reliability.
Key requirements include:
- All DC fast chargers must support the CCS2 connector.
- By January 8, 2026, all newly installed or refurbished public charging stations must comply with ISO 15118 for interoperability.
- From January 1, 2027, all new or upgraded public and private charging points (Mode 3/4) must support ISO 15118-20 Plug & Charge.
- From 2027 onwards, any public charging point offering Plug & Charge services must support both ISO 15118-2 and ISO 15118-20.
Within this framework, Plug & Charge (PnC) is not only a centerpiece of AFIR but also one of the most achievable features of ISO 15118 — and more importantly, a game-changer for user experience and operational efficiency.
2. What Is Plug & Charge?
Plug & Charge, enabled by the ISO 15118 standard, allows an EV to automatically authenticate, authorize, initiate charging, and handle payment the moment it connects to the charger. No app, no RFID card, no manual steps — just plug in and go.
(Image source: Tridens)
3. Why Does Plug & Charge Matter?
• Seamless convenience
No more juggling multiple RFID cards or fumbling with mobile apps. With PnC, charging feels as natural as plugging in a household appliance: plug in to start, unplug to leave.
• Advanced security, trusted authentication
Built on Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and digital certificates, PnC encrypts communications between the EV and the charger. This prevents tampering and unauthorized access, offering stronger protection than traditional payment methods.
• Interoperability across networks
PnC breaks down silos between operators, enabling seamless authentication and smart settlement across different charging networks. The result: a truly interconnected charging ecosystem.
4. Injet New Energy: Powering Customers with PnC, Unlocking New Opportunities in Europe
Recognizing these market shifts early, Injet New Energy was among the first to establish a strategic partnership with Hubject — the global leader in the Plug & Charge ecosystem. Hubject operates the world’s largest PKI for EV charging and provides the only ISO 15118-compliant, commercially ready Plug & Charge solution. This collaboration marks a milestone in Injet’s journey toward technological integration and regulatory alignment.
Today, Injet is actively advancing Hubject Plug & Charge certification for several of its flagship DC fast chargers, including Hub, Ampax 1.0 (EU), and Ampax Pro 480. Our goal is to deliver energy infrastructure solutions to the European market that meet the highest technical standards.
Certified products will not only simplify the user experience — minimizing failed card reads, authentication errors, or user mishandling that delay charging sessions — but will also reduce operator maintenance costs, lower compliance risks, enhance system security, and ensure future-proof compatibility with evolving standards.
At the same time, Injet is committed to:
- Strengthening after-sales service and software update capabilities, ensuring our products evolve in lockstep with new standards.
- Deepening local partnerships in overseas markets to align with regulatory requirements, build customer trust, and accelerate market adoption.
- Reinforcing our brand as a world-class provider of integrated new energy solutions, not only leading in technology but also setting benchmarks for reliability, compliance, and user experience.
We believe that as Plug & Charge becomes the new norm, Injet New Energy is already at the forefront — working hand in hand with partners and customers to drive the next era of electric mobility.