Osprey launches UK-wide Autocharge service

Osprey Charging network has launched what it calls the UK's largest Autocharge service. It provides a similar experience to Plug & Charge, whereby drivers can start charging without using a payment card or app - although it uses different technology.

Image: Osprey Charging

The new service, called Osprey Go, automatically authenticates compatible vehicles as soon as they are plugged into an Osprey charger. To use the service, drivers must use the Osprey app at two separate Osprey charging locations before they can activate ‘Go’. Once set up, drivers are able to simply plug in and walk away, with payment taken from the card linked to their Osprey account.

According to the charging network operator, Autocharge currently works with CCS-connected vehicles, but that not all EVs will support the service. Additionally, Osprey is extending dynamic pricing across its network this month as part of the Osprey Go launch, with favourable tariffs for drivers who charge outside peak period.

The service was developed in-house via Osprey Iris, the company’s proprietary software platform. In a statement, the company said its “growing in-house team of developers and product specialists trialled the feature extensively with a beta testing group of real drivers ahead of its wider rollout”.

Olly Cooper, CTO of Osprey, commented: “Osprey Go is a significant improvement to the EV customer experience. I’m proud that the team have developed and delivered this capability in-house – both the automatic start-charge and the off-peak pricing. We took Autocharge and we made it Osprey: building a simple set-up flow, testing it thoroughly, and offering the functionality to the widest range of drivers.”

The company also confirmed it is exploring Plug & Charge capability for future deployment. Autocharge provides a similar user experience to Plug & Charge, but the two are not the same. Autocharge is tied to the charging network and requires a vehicle to be registered with the charging operator in question, while Plug & Charge uses vehicle-based digital certificates and the ISO 15118 standard for authentication.