The past months and almost year have been challenging across the globe. It is hard for all individuals and businesses to try to keep life going as ‘normal’ as possible, while still doing the right thing. As we are all aware, the current situation is calling for everyone to avoid contact where possible and to reduce the risk of spreading the virus. Although EV charging points and charging stations may have little human contact, this novel application poses technologies from traditional gasoline stops.
Payment while EV charging is the last mile to close the deal before drivers leave. There are a few ways that “pay for charge” can become convenient and friendly, with relative ease. You’ve guessed – the word is going to talk about roaming.
What is the EV roaming? Through the agreement between service providers and chargegpoint operators (CPO), EV roaming (so called eRoaming) can be realized, and it can be operated by using the selected EV charging management platform. This feature allows the driver to locate, reserve, and use charging points at any time where they need it. Roaming agreements are still very limited in the EV industry. The fundamental problem is that they are extremely complex, involving the control and profit and loss of many profit-making entities. The willingness of chargepoint operators to sign mutual agreements with each other is basically a long-term process. Somehow, the problem that is solved is even impossible to solve at all.
Making it Even Easier for Drivers to Use EV Charging
The most important thing about EV roaming is that drivers need to register as a member, and sometimes they need to download the app to manage and pay during the charging time. Unfortunately, just like mobile phone users, people don’t love to download too many apps and even less-used apps will be removed soon after downloading. Today, most of eRoaming payment service providers will rely on close-loop payment (proprietary RFID), membership app to restrict drivers paying by selected way. The reality drivers of petrol and diesel vehicles won’t need to refuel by specific app or location when they put fuel in their vehicles.
As the ownership of electric vehicles becomes more accessible and people become more environmentally, the demand for EV charging is increasing. An open-loop payment likes credit/debit card type is the answer to prevent the payment concern. EV drivers bring their physical cards or through mobile payment (Apple Pay, Samsung Pay) the same as the intuitive scenario when they pay in shops. The contactless card payment is an important element to create the best EV driver experience, expanding access to charging through bilateral roaming agreements between networks is also vital to empower drivers to fully benefit from charging anywhere.
To use the EV charging station, the driver simply selects the available charging station, taps via payment card or mobile wallet to activate. Don’t need to access any specific application and waste time to be membership, this is the future of EV environment enabling drivers to simply “tap to activate” their charging.