When charging electric vehicles, the charging plug must not be removed under load (IEC 61851-1). To prevent this, the charging plug can be locked in the charging station. This locking mechanism provides additional protection against theft and unauthorized interruption of the charging process by pulling the plug. The EV Charge Lock Release monitors the 12 V operating voltage of the electromechanical actuator of a plug locking mechanism, relays the locking and unlocking signals, and sends an unlocking pulse to the actuator when the operating voltage fails.