If you’ve ever tapped a card, opened a charging app, scanned a QR code, and still wondered “am I actually charging?”, you’re not alone.

As electric vehicles become more common on Irish roads, charging is getting faster, smarter, and thankfully, simpler. One of the biggest steps forward is Plug & Charge, a technology designed to make public EV charging as easy as, well… plugging in.

Let’s break down what Plug & Charge is, how it works in Ireland, and why it matters for EV drivers.

What Is Plug & Charge?

Plug & Charge is exactly what it sounds like. You arrive at a compatible charging station, plug in your EV, and charging starts automatically, no apps, no cards, no screens. Your car and the charger recognise each other securely, handle payment in the background, and get straight to delivering electrons.

It’s the EV equivalent of contactless… without even tapping. The magic behind it is a global standard called ISO 15118, which allows your car and the charger to communicate safely and automatically.

How Plug & Charge Actually Works

Here’s what’s happening behind the scenes (don’t worry, it’s still simple):

1. Your EV has a secure digital identity stored in the car, allowing it to be recognised by compatible charging stations.
2. You plug into a compatible charger and the car and charger communicate with each other instantly.
3. Authentication happens automatically as the charger confirms your vehicle is authorised to charge.
4. Charging starts straight away without needing an app, card, or button press.
5. Billing is handled in the background, with the charging session linked to your chosen provider.

It’s built on serious security and encryption standards to keep everything safe.

Is Plug & Charge Available in Ireland?

Yes, but it’s still early days.

Plug & Charge is already live in Ireland on selected high-power DC chargers, and support is gradually expanding as:

• More charging networks upgrade their hardware
• More EV manufacturers enable the feature via software
• Drivers opt in through their vehicle or charging provider

At the moment, Plug & Charge is mostly found on newer rapid chargers from the likes of IONITY and newer EV models. AC chargers (like most on-street or workplace units) generally don’t support it yet.

So while you won’t see it everywhere today, the direction of travel is very clear.

Do All EVs Support Plug & Charge?

Not yet, but many new EVs either already support it or will via software updates.

To use Plug & Charge, you need:

• An EV with ISO 15118 capability
• A compatible DC charging station
• A charging provider that supports Plug & Charge authentication
• Plug & Charge enabled in your vehicle settings (sometimes it’s optional)

Some models from the likes of Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Tesla, the Volkswagen Group, Kia and Hyundai come ready out of the box, while others may need an update or activation step. It’s always worth checking your car’s charging settings or speaking with your dealer.

How Nevo Helps Make Charging Simpler

At Nevo, we’re big believers that EV charging should be easy, transparent, and stress-free.

Plug & Charge is one of the technologies pushing the industry in the right direction, reducing friction and helping EVs feel like the obvious choice, not the complicated one. We keep a close eye on how charging works in the real world, so drivers in Ireland know what’s available today, and what’s coming next.

If you’re buying a new EV or planning longer electric journeys, it’s worth understanding how it works and whether your car supports it. The less time you spend fiddling with apps, the more time you’ll spend enjoying the drive, and that’s what EV ownership should be about.

As always, we’ll keep you up to date as Ireland’s charging network continues to evolve. If you want to learn more about EV ownership be sure to check out our EV Education page to discover everything you need to know.