EVgo autocharge+ and Rivian

[SeaGeo]

At the end of the day, the whole plug and charge thing is a bit disappointing. This is mostly because certificate management has to pass thru the OEM, and it's not possible for the owner of the car to signup with a charging network directly and present their identity keys or certificate. It's be really nice if compliant vehicles could be self-enrolled in the charging networks app without needing a software or OEM coorperation.

For what it's worth, Rivian has said they are working with their charging partners. Who knows what that actually means and what the holdups is though.

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[azbill]

I don't think this is true, I think they just made the integration easier for GM customers versus more secure. You can add arbitrary GM VINs into your EVGo app and start the enrollment process, but the VIN doesn't actually matter since it's still the MAC address that is in the communications with the charger. If you have a "myGM" account you could also start the enrollment through any of the GM apps but you don't have to do it that way. I think that's the only difference.

I added my Mach E to EVGO Autocharge+ easily, without using my Ford app. I just had to enroll the car in the EVGO app, then on my first charge told it I was plugging in my Mach E. It read the MAC address on that first charge then linked it to my EVGO account. The Mach E has 2 MAC addresses, but I think only one is visible across CCS.

Mach E supports the certificates and P&C on EA, but the billing for that is through Ford, not directly through EA. The third party billing increases the need for security.

 

[pc500]

I don't think this is true, I think they just made the integration easier for GM customers versus more secure. You can add arbitrary GM VINs into your EVGo app and start the enrollment process, but the VIN doesn't actually matter since it's still the MAC address that is in the communications with the charger. If you have a "myGM" account you could also start the enrollment through any of the GM apps but you don't have to do it that way. I think that's the only difference.

I'm only going based on their press release.
https://www.evgo.com/press-release/...activate-plug-and-charge-across-evgo-network/

"latest iteration of EVgo’s Autocharge technology, adding enhanced security features "

What that means I guess is open for debate.

 

[Dark-Fx]

I'm only going based on their press release.
https://www.evgo.com/press-release/...activate-plug-and-charge-across-evgo-network/

"latest iteration of EVgo’s Autocharge technology, adding enhanced security features "

What that means I guess is open for debate.

That was actually before they enabled autocharge+ within the EVGo app if I am remembering things correctly.

You couldn't sign up a GM vehicle without an active onstar sub back then (and you actually still can't through a GM app without a sub). It's possible there is "enhanced security" if someone signs up through the GM app, but you're definitely not obligated to sign up through it anymore.

I have yet to try hijacking anything here because the cost of entry is too high for just playing around, and I have way too many other projects I'm in the middle of.

 

[azbill]

I'm only going based on their press release.
https://www.evgo.com/press-release/...activate-plug-and-charge-across-evgo-network/

"latest iteration of EVgo’s Autocharge technology, adding enhanced security features "

What that means I guess is open for debate.

This page explains how to set it up on the supported vehicles. It is now independent of GM. You do have to enter a VIN to enroll, so they may be using that as part of the security, although that is weak. When I used the MyChevy app to enroll my Bolt, I think it sent EVGO the VIN and the MAC address to verify it.

https://www.evgo.com/autocharge/

 

[pc500]

This page explains how to set it up on the supported vehicles. It is now independent of GM. You do have to enter a VIN to enroll, so they may be using that as part of the security, although that is weak. When I used the MyChevy app to enroll my Bolt, I think it sent EVGO the VIN and the MAC address to verify it.

https://www.evgo.com/autocharge/

That was actually before they enabled autocharge+ within the EVGo app if I am remembering things correctly.

You couldn't sign up a GM vehicle without an active onstar sub back then (and you actually still can't through a GM app without a sub). It's possible there is "enhanced security" if someone signs up through the GM app, but you're definitely not obligated to sign up through it anymore.

I have yet to try hijacking anything here because the cost of entry is too high for just playing around, and I have way too many other projects I'm in the middle of.

It's hard to say due to the lack of info in the PR until someone tries. If things are good, linking the VIN means it validates it against a pre-signed certificate in the car doing something proprietary. If it's bad, it's just a shortcut for the mac address. In either case, I'm really not terribly worried if the worse case outcome is stealing some electrons.

 

[Dark-Fx]

Was able to get Autocharge+ working today with my R1T. If you already added a VIN into the EVGo app you'll have to either delete and start over or change the Driver associated with the vehicle to get it to prompt enrollment. My truck is still on 2023.26.0.

 

[azbill]

Mine is showing pending, so I may try it tonight. Wife is using the truck right now. I was thinking it might require the software update in the truck first.

 

[HeyEllwood]

Anyone have a list of charging apps to get before making a drive from Austin to Bay Area? Trying to make sure I am not sitting at a charger trying to figure it out before I make the drive.

Any help is appreciated!

 

[emoore]

Anyone have a list of charging apps to get before making a drive from Austin to Bay Area? Trying to make sure I am not sitting at a charger trying to figure it out before I make the drive.

Any help is appreciated!

EA, EVGo, ChargePoint are the big ones. I’d check out PlugShare too to see chargers reviews.

 

[HeyEllwood]

EA, EVGo, ChargePoint are the big ones. I’d check out PlugShare too to see chargers reviews.

installed PlugShare the other day. I mapped out a route on ABRP but haven’t dived deep in PlugShare just yet.

 

[mlondre]

Used autocharge at EVgo yesterday, was the best public dc fast charging experience I’ve had this side of Superchargers.

I had to delete my Rivian out of my EVgo account and re-add it again, and then I had to use an EVgo station to finish proving my car was mine in the account. Once all setup it was great!

Way way way better than experiences at Electrify America, where it doesn’t work >50% of the time.

 

[HeyEllwood]

Hmm..do I have to prove the car is mine in the other apps? I’ll be purchasing the R1S Wednesday and starting the drive same day. I’ll also be sending Rivian the bill of sale to start the transfer into my account too.

 

[Rastadog]

Was able to get Autocharge+ working today with my R1T. If you already added a VIN into the EVGo app you'll have to either delete and start over or change the Driver associated with the vehicle to get it to prompt enrollment. My truck is still on 2023.26.0.

100% Correct. I've been using the EVGo Charger near me for the last couple of months. It's sweet and fast Vs the Garbage EA Charger a few blocks away in a sad dark Walmart parking garage but I digress. The trick for AutoCharge is I added my R1T as an additional vehicle using the VIN* and now I'm Pending Autocharge+

I simply deleted the non-Autocharge R1T and that's that.
(All inside the app since the web portal's slightly wonky.)



*Now that EVGo has my VIN, it's only a matter of time before RFK Jr, JFK Jr along with the Lizard People drain my adrenochrome while I'm unawares...but I digress again...

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