How to pay at public chargers

At a Tesla Supercharger you pay automatically through your Tesla account. Everywhere else you have four ways to pay.

1. Contactless bank card

Tap a debit or credit card, or a phone, on the reader. This is the simplest option and needs no account. The Public Charge Point Regulations 2023 require contactless on all rapid chargers (50 kW and above) and on new public chargers of 8 kW and above.

Some chargers take a temporary pre-authorisation on your card before you start. The final amount is charged when you finish and the hold is released, which can take a few days to disappear from your statement.

2. The network's own app

Most networks have an app that finds their chargers, starts a session and stores receipts. Apps sometimes offer lower prices or subscriptions. They are handy if you use one network a lot.

3. A charging card (RFID)

Some networks and roaming providers send a plastic card you tap on the charger. It is useful where mobile signal is poor, such as underground car parks.

4. Roaming apps and cards

Roaming services such as Zapmap Pay, Electroverse and others let one account pay on many networks. The regulations require every network to accept payment through at least one roaming provider.

Prices must be clear

Charge point operators must show the price in pence per kWh before you start. If a charger does not show the price, use another one or call the helpline on the charger.

Keeping receipts

Contactless sessions often let you get a receipt by scanning a QR code on the charger or entering your card details on the network's website. App and roaming sessions keep receipts in the app.