If you do not have the appropriate digital application, charging the electric car can be a problem and given the rapid expansion in the number of columns, the payment giant Visa has declared its intention to promote the spread of a common contactless payment system. the European network, to provide users with more choice and greater convenience.
Net of the obvious interest in expanding its sphere of influence to the transactions of EV mobility, the question raised by the American multinational underlines a problem as evident, as it is neglected, which ends up penalizing the consumer above all because while in service stations with petrol and diesel pumps the self-service accepts cash, debit cards and credit cards, the electricity from the columns can be used through the digital ecosystem that governs them, or via magnetic badges and prepaid cards provided by the manufacturer. To have access to as many charging points and charging solutions as possible, it is therefore necessary to download multiple applications in which you have to register, authenticate and insert the credit.
Considering the fragmentation in the operations of the top-up infrastructures, payment by credit cards would translate into a sure added (and practical) value, especially since as highlighted by Visa, “the absence of a widespread industrial standard for payments at points charging of electric vehicles, has generated a system where consumers across Europe often have no choice and sometimes are not even able to charge their car as they are not registered for the required subscription service “.
In order to change the modus operandi of payments to the column, Visa is collaborating with the non-profit organization ChairIn (specialized in optimizing the dialogue between the various exponents of green mobility) and has recently started consultations with the major suppliers of electricity and vehicle infrastructure Ev. The lobbying activity aims to “push the European industry to implement a free system with open-circuit and interoperable payments”. It is important to underline that the intent of the Californian company is not to replace the digital apps that govern the management of some columns but to complement them with payment by credit card, debit card or ATM that we are already used to. to be used not only in petrol stations, but in all commercial establishments. “If we really want as many people as possible to choose to go electric – concludes Charlotte Hogg, CEO of Visa Europe – it is essential to guarantee users forms of payment
quick, simple and easy to use. Only in this way will consumers be able to have the choice and practicality they deserve “.