A vehicle diagnostic includes a kiosk a display configured to depict a visual code thereon, with the visual code being readable by a handheld communication device and associated a unique electronic identifier. The kiosk additionally includes a diagnostic tool connectable to a vehicle to retrieve vehicle data therefrom. A remote server is in communication with the kiosk and is disposable in communication with the handheld communication device. The server is capable of: receiving a signal from the handheld communication device including the unique electronic identifier; receiving a signal from the kiosk including the vehicle data; analyzing the vehicle data to determine a diagnostic solution; and storing the diagnostic solution such that the diagnostic solution is retrievable in response to receipt of a subsequent signal including the unique electronic identifier.

According to one aspect, a system for electric vehicle (EV) charging station management may perform receiving an indication of an EV of a user initiating charging at an EV charging station, determining a charge time for the EV, the charge time indicative of an amount of time the EV charging station supplies a charge to the EV, receiving data indicative of a real-world user activity at a location within a threshold distance from the EV charging station, and adjusting a grace period associated with the charge time for the EV based on the data indicative of the real-world user activity. After expiration of the charge time and the grace period, the user may be billed a fee for occupying the EV occupying the EV charging station.

The present disclosure relates generally to electric vehicles, and more specifically to methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for requesting user authorization for electric vehicle charging sessions and responding to the requested user authorization. The methods, apparatuses, and computer program products described herein allow a user of an EV to use his/her single already- existing physical electronic key in order for him/her to be authorized for EV charging sessions at EV charging stations of different charging service providers. By so doing, it is possible to avoid the need to produce and mail new physical electronic keys each intended to be used at the EV charging stations of a different charging service provider, thereby significantly reducing the time of the user authorization.

Apparatuses and methods for the assessment of electric vehicle usage fees for electric and hybrid-electric vehicles usage of roadways and waypoints over publicly or privately funded thoroughfares are disclosed herein. Exemplary implementations address automated systems of assessing fees charged for roadway and waypoint usage as applied to vehicle mileage traveled over functionally classified thoroughfares, collection of usage charges, settlement of payments to jurisdictional authorities, and/or periodic reconciliation of vehicle mileage traveled. The implementations include electric vehicles with user interfaces that have selectable trust level inputs, systems to calculate and store position information, road classes and waypoints travelled, and vehicles and users information. In one implementation(s) the electric vehicle transmits the report through a local area network based on the selected trust level, to a remotely located receiver node.

A vehicle configured to communicate with a server of a cloud system to enable access to use the vehicle via one or more electronic keys is provided. The vehicle includes electronics and a subsystem of the vehicle for enabling unlocking of the vehicle. The subsystem is interfaced with the electronics and a subsystem of the vehicle for enabling starting of the vehicle for use of the vehicle. The vehicle further includes communications circuitry that is interfaced with electronics of the vehicle. The communications circuitry is programmable to communicate with the server of the cloud system and communicate with a mobile device. The communications circuitry of the vehicle is configured to receive a request from the mobile device for unlocking of the vehicle. The request from the mobile device includes coded data obtained by the mobile device from the server to enable sending the request to the vehicle. The coded data is associated with privileges for use of the vehicle. The privileges are defined for the coded data, and the vehicle is configured to receive information from the server to authenticate the request by the mobile device. And, if the request is authentic, the mobile device is provided with data to enable an electronic key to use the vehicle, and the electronics of the vehicle instructs the subsystem of the vehicle to enable unlocking of the vehicle and enable starting of the vehicle for use of the vehicle via the electronic key consistent with the privileges of the coded data.

A charging station can automatically and intelligently connect to and charge an electric vehicle's battery or otherwise provide power to a component of a vehicle. A charging station can be configured to detect the position of an onboard unit on a vehicle and automatically maneuver a receiver underneath the onboard unit. The charging station can then cause the onboard unit to extend and plug into the receiver. The charging station can then deliver power via the receiver and onboard unit.

An access device is provided for use in an access control system. The access device includes a processor having control of a door lock, and a communication module connected to the processor. The processor is able to receive a reservation certificate presented by a portable terminal through the communication module. The processor activates the door lock when the current reservation certificate has been presented and disables an alarm system when the current reservation certificate has been presented.

To protect a charging station LS against improper use, a second identification feature ID2 is also checked in addition to a first identification feature ID 1. The charging process is only authorized or continued if the check of the second identification feature ID2 was also successful. The authentication or authorization is thus implemented in a low-threshold manner by means of an additional authentication, in which a weak identification is supplemented by one or more further automatic identifications, which can also be checked continuously. This means that an authorized and genuine user does not incur any additional expense, while at the same time any damage caused by behavior in breach of contract by authorized users can be greatly reduced. Related system and methods for protecting against unauthorized use are also disclosed.

Embodiments of a method and/or system for charging one or more electric vehicles (e.g., based on one or more reserved charging sessions; for charging an electric vehicle during a scheduled time period; etc.) can include: receiving a reservation request (e.g., a reservation request including one or more reservation parameters; etc.); scheduling a reserved charging session based on the reservation request (e.g., based on reservation parameters from the reservation request; etc.); determining a check in at an Electric Vehicle Service Equipment (EVSE) for the reserved charging session; and/or causing the EVSE to charge the electric vehicle based on the reserved charging session (e.g., during the scheduled time period; etc.). Embodiments can support load management across groups of vehicles, offline access control, and improved user interfaces with improved security for facilitating charging sessions.

A system and method for facilitating access to an electric vehicle charging network includes pre-authorizing electric vehicles to charge at charging stations before providing payment information. In some embodiments, the system provides an interface via which an electric vehicle may access and/or be authorized to one of multiple, disparate charging networks that provide charging stations to electric vehicles.