May 02, 2024 - 05:22
By autocar.co.uk

How to pay for charging an electric car

When you own an electric car, you need to know where to charge it and, more importantly, how to pay for those juicy electrons.

When electric cars first entered the mainstream, charging was often tedious, with few available chargers and a confusing number of ways to pay for it.

Previously, the most widespread method of paying for your charge was to use an app downloaded to your mobile phone.

Eventually, every charging provider introduced its own app, which made charging a stressful process – even more so for drivers who did not own a smartphone.

And don’t forget: most electric cars now have in-built charger maps, which can advise you on where to charge.

But thanks to new laws and technology, paying to charge your electric car is now easier than ever. This guide will walk you through all the methods you can use to get your car recharged as quickly and conveniently as possible.

Ways to pay for an electric car charge

Contactless

In 2024, using your contactless credit or debit card is the easiest way to pay for an electric car charge. All you need to do is find a charger, park up, follow the instructions displayed on that specific charger, tap your card and away you go.

Some older units (most likely slower-charging units installed more than 10 years ago) won’t offer contactless.

However, the government’s newly introduced public charge point regulations mean all newly installed public chargers with a charging speed of 8kW or higher, and existing chargers with speeds of 50kW and above, are legally required to have contactless available to all drivers.

As a result, paying for an electric car charge with contactless is becoming more accessible and straightforward, as all of the UK’s biggest charging networks – including BP Pulse, Gridserve, Instavolt, Inity, Pod Point, Shell Recharge and Tesla’s Supercharger network – offer contactless payments.

If you don’t have a contactless card, don’t worry: you can still enter your card and PIN the traditional way with most modern car chargers.