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2026
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01
Global Landscape of New Energy Charging Pile Payment Methods: A Diverse Ecosystem Driven by Policies and Technological Innovation
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As the global penetration rate of new energy vehicles (NEVs) continues to rise, charging pile payment methods are evolving rapidly towards "barrier-free, intelligent, and regionally adaptive" development. From the EU's regulation-mandated standardization to the dominance of mobile payments in the Asia-Pacific region, different areas have formed distinctive payment systems based on policy requirements, user habits, and technological maturity, collectively building a convenient and efficient closed-loop charging service.
I. Three Core Payment Models: From Basic Convenience to Intelligent Seamlessness
(1) Account-Free Public Payment Methods
Centered on "plug-and-pay," these methods break brand and account restrictions, becoming the basic options mandated by policies for popularization.
Contactless Card Payment: Enabling "tap-to-pay" for credit and debit cards via NFC (Near Field Communication) technology, it is the standard configuration for public fast-charging piles worldwide. The EU's AFIR Regulation explicitly requires all public fast-charging piles above 50kW to be compatible with this function by April 2025, without mandatory PIN pad requirements; networks like Electrify America in the US fully support contact and contactless payments from card schemes such as Visa and Mastercard.
QR Code Payment: Users scan static or dynamic QR codes on piles to redirect to payment pages, no need to download dedicated apps, suitable for low-to-medium speed charging scenarios. AC piles below 50kW in Europe have listed this as a minimum payment requirement, while Southeast Asian countries like Vietnam realize instant scan-and-pay through local e-wallets such as MoMo and VNPay.
Emergency Payment Channels: Designed for users without smartphones, regions like California in the US mandate retaining phone/SMS payment options. Users can complete payment authorization via toll-free hotlines or SMS messages as prompted, ensuring service inclusivity.
(2) Account-Bound Digital Payment Methods
Leveraging apps and dedicated devices for precise management, suitable for high-frequency users and commercial scenarios.
Dedicated Apps & Mobile Wallets: Major charging networks have launched apps integrated with payment functions. For example, Europe's Zap-Map Pay supports unified settlement across brand charging piles, while Electrify America's app in the US can bind mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay, with automatic deductions via pre-loaded wallets.
RFID Card Payment: Activating charging through pre-paid or account-bound RFID cards, commonly used in corporate fleets and closed communities. Germany's Enel X Mifare Card and GE's Wattstation dedicated card adopt this model, enabling "one card for multiple piles" universal use.
Plug & Charge: A revolutionary technology based on the ISO 15118 protocol. After the vehicle is plugged into the charging pile, identity authentication and payment deduction are automatically completed via digital certificates, with no manual operation required. German BayWa's pilot project in Munich has implemented this function, and high-end models such as Porsche Taycan are all compatible.
(3) Subscription-Based Membership Payment Methods
Focused on long-term services, enhancing user stickiness through package discounts.
Europe's IONITY launched the Power membership package, with a monthly fee of 5.99 euros to enjoy a preferential electricity price of 0.33 euros per kWh; Canada's Electrify Canada's Pass+ program offers 20% off charging fees for subscribed users, with automatic deductions from bound accounts. This model has a high penetration rate in European and American markets, especially favored by long-distance travelers.
II. Regional Characteristics: Payment Landscapes Shaped by Policies and Markets
Europe: A Regulation-Driven Open Payment System
The EU has established a unified standard centered on the AFIR Regulation, not only mandating that charging piles above 50kW be compatible with contactless cards and QR code payments but also requiring the disclosure of dynamic data such as charging prices and equipment status, completely breaking the "app barrier." Building on this, Germany further requires charging piles to be compatible with RFID cards, while the Netherlands and France are accelerating the promotion of Plug & Charge technology, aiming to achieve 100% adaptation of highway fast-charging stations by 2030.
North America: Parallel Development of Credit Cards and Subscription Services
Credit card payments dominate the market. Charging piles of leading operators like Electrify America are all equipped with EMV chip readers as standard, supporting major card types such as Visa and Mastercard. Tesla realizes automatic payment deduction by binding credit cards to the vehicle's infotainment system, forming a closed-loop service. As a supplement, the subscription model—such as Electrify Canada's Pass+ program—attracts stable users through the combination of "monthly fee + discounted electricity prices," adapting to the payment habits of North American users.
Asia-Pacific and Emerging Markets: The Main Arena of Mobile Payments
Japan realizes NFC charging payments through transit cards such as Suica and PASMO, and operator E-mobility Power also launched a prepaid card model charged by the minute (27.5 yen/minute); Vietnam focuses on local e-wallets such as VNPay and ZaloPay, with 55% of users preferring QR code payments, while also compatible with international credit cards to meet cross-border needs. South Korea's Hyundai even launched "EV Token" prepaid credits, enabling cross-platform universal use via apps.
III. Compliance and Technology: The Underlying Support of the Payment Ecosystem
Core Global Compliance Requirements
Europe must simultaneously meet GDPR data protection regulations and PSD2 anti-fraud certification, with charging payment data transmission requiring encrypted processing; the US emphasizes the PCI-DSS card data security standard, and charging pile hardware must pass local assembly certification to enjoy tax incentives; Vietnam requires payment channels to comply with the central bank's "Electronic Payment Security Regulations" and anti-money laundering norms.
Technology Empowers Payment Upgrades
Internet of Things (IoT) technology realizes real-time synchronization of payment status, and the OCPP 1.6 protocol ensures seamless connection between charging piles and payment platforms; the digital certificate system of Plug & Charge has built an ecosystem by institutions such as Hubject, supporting access to more than 200,000 charging piles worldwide. These technologies not only improve payment efficiency but also reduce equipment failure rates and settlement risks on the operational side.
IV. Future Trends: Seamless Payment and Global Interoperability
With the development of connected car and blockchain technologies, payment methods will evolve towards "vehicle-pile-network integration"—vehicles can automatically identify charging piles and complete settlements, with charging fees directly included in auto insurance or energy packages. Meanwhile, cross-regional payment interoperability has become a key focus. Europe has launched the "charging roaming" program, allowing users to use different brand charging piles in 27 EU countries with a single account. This model is expected to be gradually promoted globally, truly realizing "charging as simple as refueling."
New energy charging pile payment methods,global EV charging payment,NEV charging payment ecosystem,public charging payment
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