AUTOMATIC SELECTION OF A CONTRACT CERTIFICATE TO FACILITATE ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING

An apparatus and method are provided for automatically selecting a contract certificate to facilitate charging of a battery of an electric vehicle at a charging station. A candidate charging station is at which the battery of the electric vehicle is capable of being charged is automatically determined. Based on the operator of the candidate charging station, a first contract certificate from among a plurality of contract certificates is then identified to be active to facilitate use at the candidate charging station. Information from the first contract certificate may then be provided to the charging station to allow for authentication of the electric vehicle for recharging purposes. An electric vehicle is also provided that is configured to automatically select a contract certificate to facilitate charging of its battery at a charging station.