Electric recharging payment: the age of the bank card

‍Diversemethods, such as special special recharge cardshave been used to access electric charging stations, but recently, the use of bankcards is gaining ground. Indeed, despite the simplicity of payment, Eftpos terminals were still too rare on charging stations. This development marks an important step towards simplifying and standardizing the recharging process, offering users a smoother, more accessible experience. Find out how payment by bank card is becoming the norm in the electric recharging sector, and the implications for electric vehicle drivers.

Electric recharging payment: from complicated to simplified

Payment for electric recharging via credit card is a universally accepted method, distinguished by its simplicity, speed, security and transparency, making electric car recharging extremely convenient for drivers. But the early days of the electric car weren't all plain sailing.

The first days of electric charging

The beginnings of electric charging date back to the 2010s, coinciding with the arrival of the first electric cars. At that time, finding a charging station in town or on the freeway was an obstacle course: they were few and far between, and lacked standardization. Users were forced to register with multiple providers, juggling various charging cards or badges, while dealing with a myriad of communication protocols between charging stations and their vehicles.

Complexity and diversity of initial payment methods

Payment for top-ups was no exception to this complexity. Drivers were offered a range of payment methods: top-up cards, RFID badges, mobile apps, subscriptions, and more. Each method came with its own pricing model, changing according to recharge power and duration, location and time of use. This diversity made it laborious to compare and choose the most advantageous option best suited to drivers' needs.

Progressive implementation of payment by credit card

To untie this Gordian knot, the credit card payment option has gradually come to the fore. This payment system combines the advantages of universality, simplicity, speed, security and transparency. It enables drivers to use the same card as for their other daily transactions, avoiding the hassle of additional registrations, downloading applications or acquiring specific badges. For operators, it represents a means of reducing management costs, building customer loyalty and aligning with European regulatory requirements. In particular, the AFIR (Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation) directive, effective since 2024, requires payment by bank card at all electric charging stations, while retaining the possibility of using other payment methods.

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The advent of the bankcard as a universal solution

La carte bancaire élimine les préoccupations relatives à la compatibilité ou au coût des stations de recharge, tout en offrant une gestion aisée des dépenses associées. La standardisation et la réglementation croissante du secteur de la recharge électrique encouragent l'utilisation de la carte bancaire, dans un effort pour assurer une interopérabilité totale, une transparence accrue et un environnement compétitif.

The advantages of payment by credit card

Payment by credit card is particularly convenient for electric car users wishing to recharge their vehicles at public charging stations. It's a universal means of payment that eliminates the need for multiple registrations with different operators, the accumulation of specific cards or badges, or the downloading of dedicated applications. A simple gesture, inserting your card into the reader or approaching it for contactless payment, and the recharge begins. Not only is this payment method fast and secure, it also offers a high degree of transparency. Users know immediately how much they are paying, thanks to the tariff display on the terminal. No need to worry about billing errors or fraud - everything is handled directly by the bank. What's more, it enables simple management of top-up expenditure, visible on the bank statement or via the user's mobile app.

Harmonization and regulations encourage bankcard use

Bankcard adoption is also being stimulated by increased harmonization and regulation in the electric recharging sector. Faced with a multitude of complex payment methods, European authorities have established unified standards to facilitate universal access to charging stations. The AFIR (Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation) directive, which came into force in 2024, makes bankcard acceptance mandatory on all electric charging stations, without excluding other payment methods. This ensures greater interoperability, transparency and competition in the sector, also encouraging operators to integrate card readers or support mobile payments such as Google Pay or Apple Pay.

Reaction from users and service providers

Increasingly, users and providers of electric recharging services are embracing payment by credit card. The former appreciate the ease, speed and security of payment, relieving them of the usual worries associated with other payment methods. They can recharge their electric vehicle wherever they are, without worrying about compatibility or costs. Suppliers, on the other hand, see it as an opportunity to attract and retain customers, reduce management costs and comply with legal requirements. This is why the range of kiosks that accept payment by credit card is growing.

What impact for drivers and industry?

Standardization and increasing regulation in the electric recharging sector are encouraging the use of bankcards, in an effort to ensure total interoperability. This method is also welcomed by both consumers and service providers for its benefits in terms of customer loyalty, cost reduction and regulatory compliance.

Ease of access and use for users

The use of credit cards for payment greatly improves access to and use of electric charging stations. It eliminates the need for drivers to worry about terminal compatibility, cost or availability. Users simply need to find a kiosk equipped for card payment or compatible with mobile payments to start recharging. What's more, this method simplifies the tracking of recharging expenses by integrating them directly into the driver's bank statement or application, reinforcing transparency and trust between users and operators.

Impact on the deployment and management of charging stations

Payment by credit card also benefits the industry, by simplifying the deployment and management of electric charging stations. The system helps reduce maintenance and management costs, while enabling operators to comply with European regulations that make card payment mandatory at charging stations, not to mention other payment methods. It also helps build customer loyalty through an efficient, fast and secure recharging experience. In this way, the acceptance of bankcards accelerates the expansion of the charging station network, responding to drivers' needs and expectations.

The outlook for payment for electric recharging

Bien que le paiement par carte bancaire soit pratique, d'autres alternatives existent comme les cartes de recharge multi-services, les applications mobiles ou les abonnements, offrant des avantages tels que des tarifs réduits ou des services additionnels. Et même l'accès aux autoroutes grâce aux télébadges, qui permettent de palier les problématiques liées au développement du freeflow, malgré l'arrêt de certains acteur comme la carte de télébadge de TotalEnergies. Il est donc probable que nous assistions à une diversification et personnalisation des options de paiement pour les recharges électriques, alignées sur les besoins individuels. Néanmoins, le paiement par carte bancaire demeurera une option universelle et pratique.

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