Hello and welcome!

Autocharge is a forward-looking feature designed to streamline the EV charging experience. By enabling automatic authentication and charging simply by plugging in the vehicle, Autocharge elevates drivers’ convenience, turning routine charging into a seamless interaction. As a Charge Point Operator, Autocharge offers multiple strategic benefits for your business:

• Enhanced User Experience: No app, charging (RFID) tag, or manual steps needed. Drivers just plug in and charge.
• Customer Loyalty: Delivering a modern, touchless experience builds long-term trust and engagement.
• Increased Station Utilisation: Reduced setup time and ease of use encourage more frequent charging.
• Competitive Differentiation: Stand out by offering leading-edge functionality favoured by EV drivers.

In this guide we will cover an overview of Autocharge functionality. We will walk through:

1. Prerequisites for Enabling Autocharge
2. How Autocharge Works for Drivers
3. Self-Service Autocharge Setup 
4. Current Limitations 
5. Frequently Asked Questions

Let's start!

1. Prerequisites for Enabling Autocharge

Enabling Autocharge requires the fulfilment of both technical and user-related prerequisites.

A. User-related Requirements

• Compatible Vehicle: The EV must support Autocharge functionality, which is typically enabled via a fixed Media Access Control (MAC) address. 
• Supported Charging Station: Autocharge is only available at certain stations, primarily DC fast chargers.
• Active Charging Session: Autocharge setup can only begin during an active session at a compatible station.

• Mobile App Access: The EV charging app is required only for the initial configuration of Autocharge. After setup, the charging process operates automatically; no app interaction is needed during regular charging sessions.

B. Operator Requirements 

• Charging Point Configuration: The Virta team activates Autocharge per compatible charging point. Configured stations appear in the Virta app; no action is required from you.
• In-App Visibility: Autocharge compatible stations are typically visible and identifiable in the Virta app by default. No action is required unless specified by a separate agreement.

2. How Autocharge Works

A. Identifying Compatible Stations

Drivers will see Autocharge-enabled stations highlighted within the Virta app:

• Stations or pools with at least one Autocharge-enabled charging point display an Autocharge badge in the header.
• Charging points within a station show the Autocharge label individually when expanded.
• An info section appears at the bottom of the station view with a short description and a link to Autocharge setup instructions.

B. Enabling Autocharge for the First Time

Autocharge can be enabled only during an active session at a supported station. Driver will follow these steps:

1. Locate a Compatible Station using the Virta app 
2. Plug in the Vehicle before initiating charging from the Virta app.
3. Start Charging via the App Once charging starts, a pop-up prompts the user to check compatibility.
4. Follow Setup Flow
   1. Select Vehicle: The user selects their car model from the list.
   2. Compatibility Check: If compatible, the user is shown the terms and conditions.
   3. Enable Autocharge: After confirming, Autocharge will be activated, and a success message is displayed.

Incompatible Vehicles 
If the vehicle is not eligible, the user is informed and returned to the charging screen.

3. Current Limitations

While Autocharge offers a premium user experience, it is important to remember the following:

• Vehicle Compatibility: Only available for vehicles with a fixed MAC address.
• Station Availability: Only works on designated DC charging stations.
• One Car per Account: Users can currently register only one vehicle for Autocharge.
• Limited Search Features: Station filtering by Autocharge compatibility will be added in a future update.

4. Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the business advantages of offering Autocharge?

Autocharge helps you as CPO to:

• Drive revenue by improving station usability and traffic.
• Differentiate offerings through innovation.
• Drive adoption of DC fast charging.
• Increase loyalty by simplifying the charging journey.

2. How does Autocharge impact the EV drivers' experience?

Autocharge offers a frictionless charging experience:

• Drivers don’t need to open the app or scan a card.
• Charging starts automatically after plugging in.
• It’s especially valuable in poor weather, for highway fast charging, and for regular commuters.

This enhanced experience can increase user satisfaction and retention.

3. What do we need to do to support Autocharge at our charging stations?

To enable Autocharge:

• Your charging stations must support Autocharge technically (primarily DC chargers).
• Your charging stations need to be configured in Virta system.

4. How will the drivers be informed about Autocharge availability?

Autocharge-enabled stations are:

• Visible in the app with a Autocharge label.
• Include a description section in the station view explaining about Autocharge.
• Provide links to setup instructions and the FAQ.

5. How should we handle support for drivers experiencing Autocharge issues?

• Compatibility: the vehicle needs to be compatible.
• Station capability: only certain DC stations apply.
• Guiding drivers to follow the in-app flow and instructions.

6. Which vehicles are not compatible with Autocharge?

Autocharge requires a CCS connector and a unique, non-shared vehicle ID. Some models share IDs and, therefore, aren't supported, such as:

• Audi e-tron (2018, some 2019) & Q4 e-tron
• Cupra Born
• Lucid Air
• Maxus eDeliver
• Mazda MX-30
• Volkswagen e-Up, e-Golf, ID.3, ID.4, ID.5, ID.Buzz
• Seat Mii electric
• Skoda Citigo e-iV & Enyaq iV
• BMW iX1 & i7
• Rolls-Royce Spectre EV

7. Which stations and charger types are eligible for Autocharge?

Autocharge is primarily supported on DC fast charging stations and only at stations that have been configured accordingly. AC stations and stations without MAC address detection capabilities are currently not supported. Please find more details on the table provided below 

If your intended charging station model is not listed above, please consult the manufacturer’s guide or feel free to contact our sales team for assistance.

Autocharge is a powerful feature for enhancing your brand reputation in a competitive EV market.  It transforms the charging experience from a multi-step process into a seamless, plug-and-go interaction.