Why can't you always pay with your bank card at a charging station?

You pull up to a charging station, only to find that paying with your bank card isn't an option. Frustrating? Definitely. But the reality is more nuanced than it might seem.

Paying at charging stations: how does it work?

Today, most EV drivers charge using:

• a charging card

• an app

Paying by bank card is becoming more common, but it isn't yet the standard everywhere.

Under European regulation (AFIR), card payment is currently only mandatory at new DC rapid chargers (above 50 kW). However, the majority of charge points in Belgium are AC chargers (for example, on company car parks), where this requirement doesn't apply.

Who decides this?

Here's an important point that often gets overlooked:

The owner of the charging station decides which payment methods are available.

As an operator, MobilityPlus:

• manages and monitors the charge points
• but doesn't always determine the hardware or payment options

Why no card terminal?

For many sites, a bank card terminal simply isn't the best fit:

• higher installation and maintenance costs
• regular use by a fixed group of drivers (e.g. employees)
• the need to integrate with fleet management and invoicing

In these cases, a charging card is often more efficient and straightforward.

Did you know that the MobilityPlus charging card is completely FREE, and gives you access to over 850,000 charging stations across Europe? 

What does the future hold?

The sector is moving fast:

• more rapid chargers with card payment
• rising expectations from drivers

MobilityPlus keeps a close eye on these developments and advises customers on the right solution for each location.

Our role

There's no one-size-fits-all answer.

What we do offer: guidance towards a smart, future-proof charging solution — one that puts ease of use and return on investment front and centre.

Want to know which payment solution is the best fit for your car park or site? Get in touch with our experts for tailored advice.