RFID Technology in the Home Environment: Simplifying Authentication and AuthorizationBlog

Learn how RFID simplifies authentication and authorization at private charging stations for electric cars. Discover the benefits, from secure access control to precise billing of electricity consumption.

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BY Maike Eggengoor / ON Nov 18, 2024

RFID technology enables contactless identification and authentication, which is particularly advantageous for electric vehicle charging stations. Operators of wallboxes, whether private or commercial, want to ensure that only authorized persons have access to electricity. This is where RFID comes into play. This technology uses electromagnetic waves to transmit data between an RFID tag and a reader, making the process quick and efficient.

RFID in Home Charging

Integrating RFID technology into wallboxes for home use offers numerous benefits. With RFID, you can ensure that only authorized persons have access to your charging station. Additionally, some wallboxes offer the ability to capture detailed usage data, which facilitates the billing and management of electricity consumption. This is especially beneficial for households with multiple electric vehicles or for users who share their charging station with others. It is particularly useful if you need to accurately record and bill electricity consumption for company cars with your employer.

RFID-enabled wallboxes allow for easy and quick authentication by holding an RFID card or chip near the reader. This not only ensures security but also provides convenience, as the charging process is immediately unlocked once an authorized person is identified.

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Difference Between Authentication and Authorization

It is important to distinguish between the terms authentication and authorization:

  • Authentication: Verification of the user’s identity.
  • Authorization: Determination of the user’s rights after authentication.

While authentication ensures that the user is indeed who they claim to be, authorization defines what actions the authenticated person is allowed to perform.

Example: A key switch on a private charging station allows for simple authorization but without authentication. This means anyone with a key can charge, without knowing who is using the key. This is practical but unsuitable for billing purposes, as it does not distinguish between different users.

RFID Cards and Chips for Authentication

For traceable authentication, an RFID reader is often used at the wallbox. The driver holds an RFID card or chip near the reader to authenticate. If the person is authorized, the charging process is unlocked. This method is not only secure but also user-friendly and fast.

EV charging at the street

Alternative Authentication Methods

In addition to RFID, there are alternative authentication methods:

  • Apps from Roaming Providers: In public areas, apps like mobility+ by EnBW or Shell Recharge are often used.
  • Automatic Authentication by the Vehicle: Systems like Autocharge by EnBW recognize the vehicle’s ID and automatically start the charging process.
  • Future Vision in Public Spaces: Direct card payment in public spaces according to AFIR. The EU’s Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) stipulates that users can pay directly by card at public charging stations without a subscription and with full price transparency. These methods offer additional flexibility and convenience.

Future of Authentication: ISO 15118

The ISO 15118 standards enable seamless communication and tariff negotiation between the vehicle and the charging station. These standards are already supported by many vehicle manufacturers and offer a future-proof solution for authentication. With Plug & Charge, the charging process is as simple as plugging in the cable, without the need for additional authentication methods.

Billing and Authentication

Precise authentication is crucial for the accurate billing of electricity consumption , especially when it needs to be billed to the employer. A legally compliant wallbox with an RFID reader ensures that each charging session is clearly assigned to an authorized person. This allows for transparent and accurate recording of electricity consumption.

There is also the possibility of manipulation, for example, if a private vehicle is charged but the driver authenticates with the company’s RFID card. Such deliberate manipulation can potentially be detected through a plausibility check of the kilometers driven and consumption afterwards.

The Charge Repay Service from Phoenix Contact offers a flexible solution for billing. Our service enables any wallbox in the private sector to be legally compliant for billing. This means that any wallbox, regardless of whether it is used by multiple users, supports RFID authorization, or was originally not legally compliant, can be used for billing with the employer. In the Charge Repay Service web app, users can classify their charging sessions as private or business-related and thus bill the electricity consumption legally with the company. This is particularly useful for company car drivers who need to record and bill electricity consumption at home.

Conclusion

RFID technology offers a secure and efficient solution for authentication and authorization at electric vehicle charging stations. With ongoing development and standardization, such as through ISO 15118, usage will become even more convenient and future-proof. RFID technology plays an important role for employers when it comes to automated billing of company cars in the home sector.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Authentication verifies the user’s identity, while authorization determines what rights the user has after authentication. For example, authentication ensures that you are the authorized person, while authorization determines whether you are allowed to use the charging station.
RFID technology enables secure and fast authentication and authorization. Only authorized persons can use the charging station, which is especially important when electricity consumption needs to be accurately billed. Additionally, RFID facilitates the management and recording of usage data.
Not every wallbox is equipped with RFID technology by default, but many models offer this feature or can be retrofitted. There are also external RFID readers that can be connected to existing wallboxes.
The Charge Repay Service enables legally compliant billing of electricity consumption, regardless of whether the wallbox supports RFID or not. Users can classify their charging sessions in the web app as private or business-related and accurately bill the electricity consumption with their employer.
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Hi, we are Anton Schönenberg and Cedric Culkowski and we are looking forward to your inquiry

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