The moment a driver arrives at your charger is the moment that decides whether they charge or drive away. If the only way to start is an app they do not have, or a card they never ordered, you lose the session. Operators today can offer several access methods, and the right mix depends on who your drivers are and where your chargers stand.
- Apps give the richest experience and data, but require download and registration.
- RFID cards are fast and work offline, making them ideal for regulars, fleets and private sites.
- Contactless bank cards and QR codes serve occasional and foreign drivers and are required for ad-hoc access in many markets.
- Plug & Charge offers the smoothest experience where cars and contracts support it.
The access methods at a glance
| Method | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile app | Driver selects the charger in an app and starts remotely | Registered users, public networks, loyalty |
| RFID card or tag | Driver taps a card; the charger or CSMS authorises the ID | Fleets, workplaces, residents, roaming users |
| Contactless bank card | Driver taps a bank card or phone on a terminal | Occasional and foreign drivers, DC sites |
| QR code web payment | Driver scans, pays in the browser | AC sites, quick ad-hoc access |
| Plug & Charge (ISO 15118) | The car authenticates itself with a certificate | Compatible cars with a supporting contract |
| Autocharge | Charger recognises a vehicle identifier sent over the cable | Convenience in closed or trusted environments |
Mobile apps
An app lets drivers find chargers, see live status and prices, start and stop sessions, view history and receive notifications. For operators, apps create a direct customer relationship and data for marketing and loyalty. The drawbacks are friction for first-time users and dependency on mobile reception at the site. Apps from roaming partners also let their users charge on your network, which is why roaming matters.
RFID cards
RFID remains the most reliable everyday method. A tap takes a second, works without the driver's phone, and can be authorised from the charger's local list even when the charger is offline. Cards suit fleets, employees and residents, and roaming cards from eMSPs work across networks. Downsides are the cost of issuing cards, lost cards and the security of older card types. Read RFID charging authorisation for the technical side.
Contactless bank cards
Bank card payment needs no prior relationship with the driver, which makes it essential for highways and tourist areas. In the EU, AFIR requires a card reader or contactless device on new public chargers of 50 kW and above. The costs are terminal hardware, payment fees and pre-authorisation handling. See EV charger payment terminals.
QR code payment
QR payment offers ad-hoc access without a terminal: drivers pay in the browser by card or mobile wallet. It is an efficient option for AC chargers and a good backup at DC sites. It depends on mobile data and needs protection against fake stickers. Details are in our guide to QR code payment.
Plug & Charge
With ISO 15118 Plug & Charge, the car presents a contract certificate when it is plugged in, and charging starts automatically. It is the most convenient method for drivers and very secure, but needs compatible vehicles, chargers, certificate infrastructure and contracts. Adoption is growing, and EU rules increasingly require ISO 15118 support in new chargers.
Autocharge
Autocharge uses an identifier the car sends during DC communication to recognise a registered vehicle. It is convenient, but the identifier is not cryptographically protected, so it should only be used where the risk of misuse is acceptable, and never as the only security layer for public billing.
Comparison for operators
| Criterion | App | RFID | Bank card | QR | Plug & Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Driver friction | Medium | Low once issued | Low | Low to medium | Very low |
| Works offline | No | Yes, with local list | No | No | Partly |
| Extra hardware | No | Reader in charger | Payment terminal | Sticker or screen | ISO 15118 capable charger |
| Ad-hoc compliant | No | No | Yes | Yes below 50 kW in EU | No |
| Customer data | High | Medium | Low | Low to medium | Medium |
Recommended mix by site type
- Highway DC hub: bank card terminal, app and roaming RFID, Plug & Charge where possible.
- Urban AC network: app, roaming RFID and QR payment.
- Workplace or residential: RFID cards and app, with access limited to authorised users.
- Fleet depot: RFID or Autocharge for speed, with vehicle-level reporting.
- Hotel or retail: QR payment and app, optionally a card terminal for guests.
Frequently asked questions
Can one charger support all methods?
Yes, if the hardware has an RFID reader and optionally a payment terminal, and the CSMS supports app, roaming and ad-hoc flows. Plug & Charge additionally needs ISO 15118 support.
Which method is cheapest for operators?
App and QR payment need no extra charger hardware. RFID cards are cheap per unit but have issuing costs. Card terminals have the highest hardware cost.
Is RFID still needed if I offer an app?
Usually yes. RFID works without a phone or signal and is preferred by fleets and frequent users.
Üreticy supports app, RFID, QR code, payment terminal and ISO 15118 Plug & Charge access from one platform. See access and payment features or contact us.