Vattenfall InCharge and WirelessCar have piloted an automated EV charging service that removes the need for charging cards and apps, with more than 700 drivers in Sweden, the Netherlands, and Germany testing it during the spring. The cloud-based service, called Seamless Charging, automates charging, authentication, and payment across both AC and DC chargers. After a one-time registration, sessions start and stop on their own when a vehicle is plugged in, with the car and charging station matching signals to confirm the session. The service currently supports Volvo and Tesla vehicles equipped with the required technology.
Highlights
- More than 700 EV drivers across Sweden, the Netherlands, and Germany tested the service during the spring pilot.
- The cloud-based system automates charging, authentication, and payment across both AC and DC chargers.
- Vattenfall InCharge operates more than 40,000 charging points.
- Broader availability across InCharge stations is planned for autumn 2026; the service currently supports Volvo and Tesla vehicles.
How Does Seamless Charging Work?
Seamless Charging links the vehicle directly to the charging network, so the driver never interacts with a card reader or a separate payment app at the station. The system automatically detects the connected vehicle, starts the charging session, and ends it when charging is complete. Established industry-standard protocols handle the secure transfer of vehicle and charging data.
When the service becomes available in autumn 2026, activation will take two steps:
- Add the vehicle. Log in to the My InCharge account, open “My Vehicles,” and activate Seamless Charging.
- Authorize data sharing. Accept vehicle data sharing through the vehicle manufacturer’s secure login page.
After setup, charging begins and ends automatically each time the vehicle is plugged in.
Removing Steps From Public Charging
Vattenfall InCharge, which operates more than 40,000 charging points, initiated the project with WirelessCar, the service provider behind Seamless Charging, to simplify charging for EV drivers. The pilot focused on removing the cards, apps, and authentication steps that drivers otherwise juggle across different networks.
“Today, EV drivers often need different apps, cards and authentication steps depending on the charging network. So improving the customer experience and creating a simple charging journey is crucial for the transition to electric mobility. We wanted to explore whether we could remove some of these steps and make charging as easy as possible,” says Fanny Lindberg, Commercial Director at Vattenfall E-Mobility.
Mateo Sotomayor, Vice President EV Experience at WirelessCar, framed the service as a way to cut complexity rather than add it.
“Our experience connecting vehicles, data, and ecosystem partners has shown that the best technology often removes complexity rather than adding it,” says Sotomayor. “Improving the charging experience requires orchestration across a complex ecosystem of vehicles, platforms, charging networks, and service providers. Seamless Charging is a practical example—using connected vehicle technology to remove steps from the charging process.”
Rollout and Availability
The service is currently available only at selected pilot locations. Vattenfall InCharge plans to extend it across all InCharge charging stations during the autumn and winter, with availability beginning in autumn 2026.
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