Just like airbags protect vehicle occupants, digital trust plays a vital role in safeguarding electric vehicles (EVs) and their users during charging operations. As electric vehicles become increasingly popular, the importance of digital trust in the charging process cannot be overlooked. While traditional combustion vehicles rely on physical interactions with gas pumps, the advent of electric vehicles necessitates the implementation of digital trust to ensure secure data exchange between EVs and electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE). However, it's crucial to acknowledge that EVSEs, despite their indispensable role in sustainable transportation, are susceptible to cybersecurity risks that demand robust protection measures.

Without adequate security measures in place, EVSEs are exposed to various vulnerabilities, including:

• Operational disruption: Hackers can disrupt the charging infrastructure, rendering EVSEs unusable and causing inconvenience to EV owners. This can have a significant impact on transportation systems and hinder the adoption of electric mobility.
• Data breach and compromise: Breaching the security of charging stations can lead to the theft or compromise of sensitive data, including customer payment information. Such data can be exploited for financial fraud, identity theft or other malicious purposes, damaging the trust between EV users and charging infrastructure providers.
• Reputational distrust: Security breaches can tarnish the reputation of EV charging infrastructure providers, leading to a loss of trust from customers. This can have long-term implications for the adoption and success of electric vehicles.

The impact of weak security practices and failing to implement digital trust best practices for EV charging stations can have severe consequences:

• User inconvenience and dissatisfaction: Unsecure charging stations may experience frequent disruptions or malfunctions, inconveniencing EV owners who rely on them. This can lead to dissatisfaction and frustration among users, hindering the growth of the EV market.
• Financial loss and liability: Data breaches and compromised payment information can result in financial losses for both EV owners and charging station operators. Moreover, inadequate security measures may expose charging station operators to legal and regulatory liabilities.
• Stunted EV market growth: A lack of trust in the security of charging infrastructure can deter potential EV buyers from adopting electric mobility. Strong digital trust is crucial for fostering confidence and encouraging the widespread adoption of EVs.

Challenges EV/EVSE face in delivering digital trust

Implementing a DIY approach to digital trust on electric vehicle charging stations poses significant challenges in terms of both time and cost. The installation of secure and reliable authentication systems can be time consuming, requiring coordination with multiple stakeholders. Additionally, the upfront investment in robust cybersecurity measures and infrastructure upgrades, coupled with the ongoing maintenance and updates, can result in substantial costs for ensuring the integrity and trustworthiness of the charging stations.

DigiCert, in collaboration with the Society of Automobile Engineers (SAE), built support for the ISO 15118 standard into DigiCert^® IoT Trust Manager to address the many challenges with securing the EVSE ecosystem. IoT Trust Manager with ISO 15118 standard support provides a comprehensive security solution for EV charging stations and simplifies the hurdles that EVSE providers face in implementing digital trust.

How IoT Trust Manager helps EV/EVSEs attain digital trust

IoT Trust Manager protects electric vehicle charging stations with certificate management that delivers secure plug and charge capabilities, ensuring trust and reliability in the EV charging infrastructure.

IoT Trust Manager delivers digital trust to EV charging stations with:

• Security and scalability: IoT Trust Manager securely authenticates EVs and EVSEs, protecting against potential cyber threats. It scales easily, allowing for accelerated time to market without compromising security.
• Flexibility and deployment efficiency: The solution enables quick and flexible provisioning and deployment of certificates through a global infrastructure. This ensures support for all certificate types, making implementation seamless.
• Future-proofing and compatibility: IoT Trust Manager adheres to international standards, ensuring compatibility with future developments in EV technology and infrastructure. This future-proofing helps charging stations stay ahead of evolving cybersecurity threats.

The future of clean transportation: building digital trust with DigiCert

DigiCert, a recognized global leader in digital trust, instills confidence in the security of the EV charging process. Digital trust is a crucial component in the operation of electric vehicle charging stations. By implementing robust security measures using DigiCert IoT Trust Manager, EVSEs can protect against vulnerabilities, prevent disruptions, safeguard customer data and build trust among EV users. Strengthening digital trust is not just essential for the success of individual charging stations but also for the broader adoption of electric mobility. Let's embrace secure and scalable solutions to drive the future of clean transportation forward: that’s digital trust for the real world.