Cut the complexity... let’s connect

Instead of multiple apps, drivers would prefer to use a single solution, wherever they charge their vehicles, says Keith Brown, founder of Paythru

EV drivers can find themselves overwhelmed by the huge variety of apps and websites available to manage public charging points. Several studies suggest that people prefer fewer and simpler options for paying to charge their vehicles. For example, a report by the RAC found that more than four in five EV drivers believe there are too many options available.

Another recent survey by Paythru highlighted the inconsistency in how these various payment methods are used.

The majority of the survey’s respondents indicated that they switch between two or three regular options, such as contactless payments and a couple of different apps. Only 13% stated that they use a single option 100% of the time.

While it is understandable that people may want two different ways to pay for personal and professional charges, say, it seems that many EV drivers are being forced to use multiple payment options to navigate what is currently an overly complex charging system.

Addressing the situation

As EV drivers continue to pay in many different ways at different chargers, it is becoming increasingly apparent that most would prefer to use a single solution, wherever they charge their vehicles.

The situation will be addressed to some extent by the implementation in 2025 of the roaming mandate in the government’s Public Charge Point Regulations, which states that “chargepoint operators must enable consumers to pay through at least one roaming provider at their chargepoints.”

Designed to make EV charging easier and more convenient, EV roaming is similar to mobile network roaming and allows drivers to charge their vehicles at other charge point operators’ networks.

Additionally, the regulations mandate that all new public chargepoints of 8kW and above installed after 24th November 2024, and all public chargepoints of 50kW and above must allow users to pay by contactless. For the nearly 40,000 chargers under 8kW, the decision to add a contactless option is up to the chargepoint operator. The challenge for many operators, however, is in implementing a contactless option: a potentially fiddly electronic installation.

One solution is to install payment kiosks. Similar to parking payment terminals, kiosks can be connected to multiple chargers, handling payment processing for each charger via a dedicated user interface and card reader. Essentially, kiosks are a modern version of parking meters and can be a good solution for slow chargers on the roadside or in private car parks. Drivers can park their vehicle, select their charger, and start the charge.

Interoperability and standardisation

Contactless payment for charging is becoming more common. However, many drivers, especially new ones, may not be aware of this option. They may arrive at a new charger and be instructed to download a specific app to use it. If they do this at every new chargepoint, they will soon have too many apps to manage. The problem arises from a lack of understanding.

To address this issue, chargepoint operators should be more transparent about the availability of contactless and provide clear instructions on how to use it. Digital displays on the charger or through a linked kiosk can be used to provide the necessary information and updated as required.

In addition to contactless, there is a strong preference for a single payment method for EV charging. This means that a few major apps that work everywhere, such as Zapmap or Electroverse, will likely dominate the market. Interoperability and standardisation will be crucial for this. Chargepoint operators can benefit from valuable customer data and direct communication channels, but rather than keeping their customers locked in, they must consider opening up their chargepoint data to other apps that drivers want to use, and which will, ultimately, bring them business.

While charge point operators want drivers to use their specific app, they should prioritise the needs of the customer. If EV drivers constantly complain about having to download multiple apps to charge their vehicles, it can harm the operator’s brand and, as an obstacle to overcome,  can even hinder the adoption of EVs.

Research indicates that EV drivers prefer using a single app wherever they are. Although transitioning to this model may be challenging for charge point operators, it is inevitable.

Keith Brown is founder and managing director at Paythru