Charging cards are the most common way to use public charging stations in 2025. However, each provider has its own card. This means that many EV drivers, especially those who travel often, are forced to carry multiple cards to keep their options open. This can feel particularly overwhelming if you have just recently bought your first electric car.
What if, at some point, you do not have a card with you? Maybe you forgot it at home, are still waiting for a new card to arrive and don’t plan to get one at all. Can you still charge your car?
Yes, you can. In this blog post, we’ll show you how.
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Yes, you can charge your EV without a charging card. In fact, many drivers now use smartphone apps to start charging sessions, which are often more popular and convenient than physical cards. Many newer public charging stations also accept credit cards and digital payment methods. If you find a place that offers free charging, you won’t need any payment method at all. Lucky you.
There are several ways to pay at public charging stations without a charging card. The most common ones include apps and credit/debit cards, as well as other contactless methods. Cash payments are normally not possible.
Most charging networks offer an app where you can start and stop charging, find available charging stations and add payment methods.
App examples:
Most apps work across multiple charging networks.
Nowadays, paying with an app is the norm, whether it's for streaming services like Netflix, booking flights, taxi rides or gym memberships. The same applies to charging your electric car. Let’s have a look at the advantages and drawbacks of this option.
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To charge your electric car with an app, start by scanning the QR code at the charging station. It usually features Google Play and Apple Store logos next to it. You will be immediately redirected to the page where you can download the necessary app. In most cases, you’ll need to create an account to start charging.
To make things easier, you can set it all up in advance when you are at home, for example. Just find the app for your preferred provider, download it, sign up, and choose a subscription plan if you want one. That way, you're all set when you get to the station.
Contactless payment doesn't always mean the charging station has a card reader. It could also feature either a static or dynamic QR code that you need to scan, which will redirect you to a payment page.
Here are some of the charging point operators offering contactless payment options:
Paying with your credit or debit card is perfect when you only need to charge for a few days, like when renting an electric car at your holiday destination. It also comes in handy if you forget your charging card and don’t want to install another app. Because who doesn't love an unexpected tech workaround?
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* Fraudsters may replace the QR code with a fake one, redirecting users to a fraudulent payment page.
In many cases, you can pay directly at the charging station using a credit/debit card, PayPal, Google Pay, or Apple Pay. If you're paying with a card, simply tap it at the station. For other methods, you normally need to scan the QR code to open the payment page on your phone. Payment options can vary depending on the charging station. Let’s have a more detailed look at this:
Contactless tap-to-pay
Many modern charging stations let you tap your credit or debit card directly on the terminal, just like at a store. It works with:
Insert or swipe
Many older charging stations and even some newer ones may require you to insert or swipe your physical card. You might need to follow on-screen instructions or enter a PIN code.
QR-Code
At many public charging stations, you can scan a QR code with your phone to open a payment portal. You can then enter your card details manually or pay using a digital wallet.
Note
From 24 November 2024, all new public charge points of 8 kW and above, and all existing public charge points of 50 kW and above, must offer contactless payment either per charge point or per site.
Adrian Ruppitsch, Technical specialist for production at go-e...I've never had any problems paying at public charging stations
I have driven over 60,000 km with my Tesla Model 3 and have never had any problems paying at public charging stations. Most of them have a QR code that you can scan, then enter your payment details and you're ready to go. It's a bit more expensive without registration, but it's reasonable.
With the Plug and Charge (PnC) technology, you simply plug in your car, and it starts charging automatically. So you do not need apps, cards, or QR codes. All the payment and authentication happen in the background. It’s powered by a secure protocol called ISO 15118.
But if it’s that great, why do we still use charging cards at all? Well, the thing is, while many new electric cars and charging stations already support PnC, it’s still not everywhere just yet.
Charging stations such as IONITY support Plug and Charge. What about cars? Here are the manufacturers who equipped their EVs with Plug & Charge and are prepared for the future: Audi, BMW, Cupra, Ford, Genesis, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes, Mini Cooper, Porsche, Skoda, Smart, and Volkswagen.
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The first time you use Plug & Charge, your vehicle needs to be set up and authenticated with your charging provider. Once registered, future sessions will start automatically. Simply drive to a compatible charging station and plug in your EV. No need to tap, swipe, or add yet another app to your vast collection. The payment is processed automatically through your linked account.
AutoCharge – because who has time to press a button? When you use a charging station with AutoCharge, all you need to do is plug in your car, and the charging starts automatically.
Just a heads-up: this is not the same as Plug & Charge. Autocharge offers a simple way to start charging by recognising the vehicle’s MAC address. However, it lacks encryption and provides less data safety compared to Plug and Charge, which uses digital certificates for secure communication.
Who provides AutoCharge:
Interestingly, Tesla drivers also benefit from AutoCharge when using Tesla Superchargers or other supported networks.
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To use AutoCharge, register your vehicle at a charging station. After that, plug in your car, and charging will start automatically. So just like with Plug & Charge, no app or RFID card is needed. AutoCharge is only available at selected charging networks such as, for instance, Fastned.
Charging without a charging card usually costs more than using one. For example, at Instavolt, the price is £0.54 per kWh without a card or app, compared to £0.50 per kWh with one. The cheapest option of all is usually charging at home. It will cost you approximately £27.03 per kWh or less if you have a smart wallbox. In addition, you don’t have to pay monthly fees.
* charging card = subscription
Charging with a card is often more cost-effective than ad-hoc charging. For example, with BP Pulse, a charging provider operating in the UK, subscribers pay £0.69 per kWh, while the price without a subscription is £0.87-0.89 per kWh.
* charging card = subscription
You can charge your electric car for free at a very limited number of locations. Free charging is typically available at select automotive and motorcycle stores, as well as some hotels. Several large retailers like IKEA and LIDL used to offer free charging, but stopped.
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