How to pay for public charging ?

While public chargers come in a range of power outputs and can cost different amounts to use, paying for them is generally done in the same way.

Unlike manned gas stations, where you have the option to pay in cash at a till, charging stations will almost always require card payment or billing through an account.

The cost of charging varies on the charger’s power output – fast charging almost always costs more – but is typically made up of an initial service fee plus the amount of electricity consumed multiplied by the network’s tariff (the price per kWh).

The key challenge in paying for a charging session has to do with the identification of the end user. Indeed, the system needs to determine who to charge for the electricity used. Therein lies the complexity of paying for public EV charging – how this authentication is done varies from charger to charger and between different networks of chargers.

How you pay is connected to how you identify yourself to the charging station

Broadly, there are currently 3 main ways to authenticate yourself to a public charging station, with a new mode, plug and charge, being in development to streamline the charging experience.

For all methods except contactless card payment, you can choose between subscribing to a charging service or paying per use – while the former usually unlocks cheaper rates, paying as you go enables greater flexibility.

Charging via an app

One of the main ways to manage public charging is through a charging app. There are many different charging apps available that allow you to connect and authenticate yourself to public chargers.

Payment through a charging app can either be done through a subscription or membership, where you pay a fixed monthly fee and unlock a discounted price per kWh, or by paying per use (usually at a higher rate but with no monthly payment). Regardless of which method you use, charging costs are charged to your account and can be paid by credit or debit card or directly by bank transfer.

RFID card/Key fob

Another option for paying at a public charger that doesn’t involve a smartphone is through a physical RFID card or fob issued by the charge point operator, which contains your authentication information.

By swiping it on the reader, the charging station recognizes who’s using the station and knows where to send the bill. Just like a charging app, you can opt for a membership or pay as you go, depending on how frequently you charge at a public station.

Like apps, not every charging station works with the same RFID card, so if you use chargers from various networks, you may have to own and bring multiple RFID cards. While most modern chargers can also be unlocked through an app, some models require an RFID card or fob, which is worth keeping in mind when looking for a public charger.

Contactless payment/card reader

Perhaps the simplest payment option that some public chargers offer is via contactless bank card payment. This method doesn’t require any memberships or subscriptions; instead, anyone can pay and begin a charging session by swiping their credit or debit card.

While this is definitely the most flexible method to pay for charging, it also tends to be the most expensive in the long run. Not only are you likely to pay a higher price per kilowatt by paying contactless, but you’re also not able to benefit from any memberships or discounts that might be available.