With an ever growing number of drivers making the switch to electric cars, Zapmap is here to help you get to grips with the basics of public charging, and the different ways you can pay for it.
How to pay for public EV charging in the UK
Most, if not all, EV drivers will know that there are several different ways to pay for EV charging in the UK. Here we round them up and explain a little more about them.
You have two ways to pay with Zapmap. Via the app, or with the Zapmap Charging card. Zapmap provides a single-app payment solution that uses a credit or debit card to pay for charging so that our users can avoid the hassle of using multiple apps across different networks. It means that EV drivers can find and pay for charging all within one app.
The Zapmap charging card allows drivers to start a charge with a quick tap at compatible charge points.
Both methods will enable you to view your charging history within the app, receive live status updates while away from your vehicle, and download receipts.
To start using either payment method, EV drivers need to add a payment method to their account.
Ordering your charging card
You can order a Zapmap charging card in the app in a couple of minutes. Just head to the settings menu, select the ‘Charging card’ option, and follow the in-app instructions.
Which networks can you pay for with Zapmap?
There are over 30 networks compatible with Zapmap. You can find charge points which accept payment via Zapmap by filtering by payment type - just tap the filters icon at the top of your screen. The map will then show charge points where you can pay with Zapmap.
Alternatively, when you arrive at a charge point, look for the orange ‘Pay’ button on the charge point info card in the app.
Pay with contactless credit or debit card
On top of Zapmap’s all-in-one app solutions,, many networks now take contactless credit or debit card payment and, generally speaking, charge point operators have been moving to make payment easier for EV drivers.
Quick, easy and accessible, contactless payment suits many people. The government has mandated that contactless payment be available on all new rapid chargers that are installed, and within the next couple of years this will also apply to any existing rapid chargers without contactless capability.
It’s worth noting that contactless payment does tend to be the most expensive form of payment, partly due to cost of installation. What’s more, while charge point operators are moving to make payment more accessible – with most new devices sporting contactless terminals – this form of payment is typically only available on newer rapid and ultra-rapid devices at present.
Contactless payment tends to be the most expensive form of payment.
Moreover, most existing slow and fast chargers across the UK do not have contactless capability and despite new charge point regulations, many of these are unlikely to receive an upgrade for some time.
Finally, although quick and easy, bear in mind that you won’t receive live updates on your charging status with contactless, or a payment receipt.
Pay via a network app
All charging networks are required to provide pay-as-you-go access. Many, require customers to download their network app and create an account in order to pay for a charging session. In some cases, customers will need to load a minimum amount of credit onto their account in order to get started.
Paying via a network app can have its advantages, with networks’ membership or pay-as-you-go plans seeing cheaper pricing per kWh than for contactless payment.
Use an RFID card
Some networks also allow you to register an RFID card to pay for electric car charging. This is equipped with radio frequency identification technology that allows your card to communicate with a card reader, using a radio frequency instead of a magnetic strip.
You can use the info box on Zapmap to find out which payment methods each charging device takes.
While you can start a charge simply by tapping the RFID card against the card reader, you will need to pre-register your RFID card and manage an account online in connection with the card.
The Zapmap charging card can be ordered from within the Zapmap app, syncs up to your Zapmap account and payment methods, allowing you to charge with the tap of your card across thousands of charge points.
Take a look at the info box for a specific charge point in the Zapmap app to find out which payment methods each charging device takes.
Other ways to pay for electric car charging
Some networks, such as ubitricity, allow for payment on a pay-as-you-go basis by scanning a QR code, found on the charge point, using a smartphone. This takes users through to a payment page, controlling the beginning and end of the charging session.
On-street charging network ubitricity mostly provides lamppost chargers in towns and cities.
Others, such as Fastned, support vehicle-to-charger communication that enables automatic charging and billing. In Fastned’s case, the company’s Autocharge system is able to automatically recognise the car – once registered – and start the charging process without any other input. Although you’ll need to create a Fastned account first, most cars that use a CCS connector to rapid charge can make use of Autocharge, simply plugging in to start the session.
