Expanding Plug&Charge: Ad hoc Payment for Every Driver

About this event

Plug&Charge (PnC) has transformed the EV charging experience for drivers. Now, a new capability extends that seamless experience to ad hoc payment, giving Charge Point Operators (CPOs) a practical, commercially ready path to support any driver who plugs in, with no app, no RFID card, and no contract required.

This webinar marks the productive launch of Hubject's Plug&Charge Direct solution, a CPO-focused payment capability built on the same trusted ISO 15118 infrastructure that already powers Plug&Charge across Europe. Joining Hubject are two partners at the centre of this deployment: BMW, as a Plug&Charge-enabled OEM, and MER, as a live Plug&Charge CPO.

What We'll Cover:

✅ How the productive Plug&Charge Direct solution works in practice

✅ Why BMW chose Plug&Charge Direct and what it means for OEM integration

✅ How MER implemented the solution as a CPO, and what the experience looks like on the ground

✅ Plug&Charge Direct vs. EMVCo Open Payments: a clear comparison of what's live today versus what remains on paper

✅ How to onboard as a CPO: the practical steps to get up and running quickly

Why Plug&Charge Direct, and Why Now

The EMVCo Open Payments standard has generated significant industry attention. But Plug&Charge Direct is available today, backward compatible with existing infrastructure, and already in productive use. This session will give CPOs, OEMs, and fleet operators a clear, honest picture of where each solution stands, and what that means for deployment decisions in 2026.

For CPOs in particular, this is an opportunity to understand how ad hoc payment capability strengthens the Plug&Charge business case, expands the addressable driver base, and positions charging infrastructure for the requirements ahead.

Speakers:

Steffen Rhinow - Senior Principal Plug&Charge and Digital Ecosystems, Hubject

Steffen is leading innovative solutions in EV charging and eMobility at Hubject. He brings extensive experience in strategizing Plug&Charge, ISO 15118, and other charging feature implementations, driving efficiency across EVs, backend systems, and charging infrastructure, and delivering solutions for leading automotive clients. Previously, he held roles including Head of Plug&Charge, Senior Consultant, and Business Unit Manager at wontec GmbH, specializing in project management and consulting for vehicle OEMs. He holds a Master’s degree in Information Systems Engineering and a Bachelor’s degree in Telecommunications and Media Technology from Ulm University.

Edma Salillari - Sales Engineer, Hubject

Edma is a Sales Engineer at Hubject, supporting clients with Financial Services, Plug&Charge, and related solutions.

She serves as a primary contact for partners, providing product introductions and demonstrations, guidance on implementation, and tailored support for Hubject products and technical inquiries.

Florian Kotsch Program Manager, Charging Experience, BMW AG

Florian is a Program Manager for Charging Experience at BMW AG, specializing in Plug&Charge. He began his career in the EV charging sector nearly a decade ago at Mercedes‑Benz, where he contributed to international charging initiatives and gained extensive experience across multiple markets. Since joining BMW in 2022, Florian has led and supported strategic charging projects, including integrations and the operational setup of charging partnerships in North America. Most recently, he played a key role in introducing Plug&Charge with multi‑contract capability to the BMW fleet. He now focuses on enhancing the digital user experience for Plug & Charge, aiming to make EV charging simpler and more transparent for customers.

Johannes Schuster - Product Manager, MER Group

Johannes is an experienced Product Manager overseeing roaming and hardware-related initiatives across MER Group’s business units in Norway, Sweden, Germany, and Austria. Responsible for the development and management of Plug & Charge Direct within MER Germany and Austria, serving as the key contact for its rollout. He led the 2023 implementation of Plug&Charge Direct, coordinating cross-functional teams within the Products & Development department to ensure successful deployment.