Electrically powered accessories connected to vehicle power systems are authenticated, and connections between the accessories and the vehicle power systems are based on permissions resulting from that authentication. accessories may supply authentication information associated with an authentication level, and form a permitted connection based on the authentication level. Vehicle power systems may obtain the authentication information, obtain the authentication level, and operate a power connection according to the authentication level. Authentication information can be obtained from the component or from a user of the component through, for example, a portable device. A system may include the electrically powered component and the vehicle power system. The system may further include a remote server to process the authentication information and determine the authentication level.