Overview

The Electric Vehicle charging (EVC) industry is expanding rapidly, presenting consumers with various payment solutions. However, this can be cumbersome as many solutions are not interoperable, requiring consumers to download multiple mobile applications or carry multiple cards to access different charging networks.

According to Visa Online platform, at a minimum, charging stations should offer open-loop payment solutions, such as contactless (tap to pay). This allows anyone with a Visa card to start a charging session without the need to download mobile apps or register. Overall, international card schemes are an active partners in the petrol fuel sector, providing payment solutions that ensure seamless and consistent consumer experiences. The EV ecosystem should be equally equipped with proven technologies and industry best practices to enhance infrastructure access and consumer experience.

Consumers should be able to use what they already have in their wallets for a seamless charging experience.

Payment flow

EV charging presents unique challenges when it comes to obtaining transaction authorization. When customers engage in public EV charging, they often do not know how many kilowatts they will need or how long the charging process will take. This can lead to various customer experiences, such as partially charging the vehicle or charging for a specific kilowatt amount.

To accommodate the widest range of experiences, Visa allows the following authorization models for EV charging:

1. Authorize for Known Amount: Customers either select the number of kilowatts they want upfront or wait until charging is complete to authorize the amount due. For merchants storing credentials and authorizing after charging, it is recommended to perform an account verification before the session starts to ensure the card is valid.
2. Authorize for Unknown Amount Using an Estimate and True-up: Merchants can authorize a set, estimated amount based on the average transactions at their stations. If the final amount is lower, a partial authorization reversal is required. If the final amount is higher, the merchant can either perform an incremental authorization tied to the original or request a new authorization for the additional amount.