As electric vehicle (EV) adoption increases, it’s important to offer easy and accessible payment options for EV charging. Multiple payment methods offer flexibility for drivers, catering to different preferences and payment habits.
Offering various payment methods benefits Charge Point Operators (CPOs), e-Mobility Service Providers (eMSPs), and EV drivers. Here we introduce the three most common payment methods currently used to pay for charging, and share their benefits and downsides.
1. RFID cards
RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) cards – also known as tokens – are a common authentication method for payments. They are convenient for employers to offer to their employees or for fleet companies to keep their EVs charged by multiple people.
Drivers sign up with a service provider to receive an RFID card. To start charging, the driver simply taps the token on the Charge Point reader. Tapping again stops the charging session. The costs for charging are billed monthly.
Benefits
- Low issuing costs of RFID cards and tags
- Convenience for managing fleet vehicles
- No need for immediate payment
- Easy, universal user experience without additional PIN
Downsides
- Multiple charge cards needed for different markets
- Often requires a monthly membership
- Easily copied and therefore more prone to fraud
At Last Mile Solutions, we provide customized white-label RFID tokens in various shapes and sizes, such as cards or keychain tags. Currently, we manage over 1.1 million active Charge Cards – and counting. We oversee and process the entire transactions process, as the overall costs are tallied and collected via direct debit by us.
2. Mobile application payment and web payments
Mobile applications and web-based payments are increasingly popular. EV drivers can download a branded mobile app or use a QR code for web payments. They can initiate charging via the app or by scanning the QR code in the Charge Point. The driver uses the same application to stop charging.
Benefits
- Real-time pricing data available for EV drivers
- Secure payment with encrypted transactions
- Flexible payment options, including credit cards and digital wallets
- Easily accessible through smartphones and no need for extra cards
Downsides
- Poor internet connection can disrupt the mobile payments
- Potentially slower authorization process than RFID cards
- Less experienced users may face difficulties in mobile payments
We offer various application solutions for eMSPs depending on the customer experience and branding preferences. You can choose between our in-app white-label application, stand-alone white-label application, and API-based solution. All guarantee a seamless, high-quality user experience for EV drivers.
3. Debit and credit card payments
Personal debit and credit cards are increasingly being adopted as a payment method for charging. Since April 2024, European regulations have required payment terminals in all new publicly accessible fast chargers. Drivers simply insert or tap their card on the payment terminal and follow the instructions on the screen. A specific amount is preauthorized at the start, and the actual costs of charging are deducted at the end.
Benefits
- No sign-ups or accounts, making it very flexible
- A familiar and easy to use method
- Additional security through PIN or biometric verification
- AFIR compliant
Downsides
- Higher initial investment on supporting hardware
- Regulated market adds compliance and administration overhead
Our goal is to fully support our clients in transactions, which is why we offer a payment terminal solution that enables an open-loop income stream. Our payment terminal solution is hardware agnostic, providing you with the flexibility to choose from a wide range of payment terminal vendors. The solution is cloud based, facilitating quick instalment, easy tariff management, and convenient UI updates. All payments, customer payment issues, and collection risks are managed by us without compromising the charging experience.
EV payment solutions for your business needs
Last Mile Solutions caters to both open and closed-loop payment solutions. Open loop-based payment systems, such as payment terminal solutions or mobile application payments, give companies more flexibility. They also bring advantages in terms of security, commercial potential, and technical integrations.
Our comprehensive transaction management platform allows EV drivers to choose their preferred payment method, whether it’s an RFID card, mobile app, or debit or credit card payment. We ensure your payouts will be combined, settled, and reported in a unified way. No need for complex third-party onboarding, negotiation, or testing.
