Does my smartphone need NFC to pay at car charging stations in Germany and The Netherlands?
I am renting an electric car for a longer trip and figuring out how to pay for (fast) charging stations in Germany and The Netherlands. As of 2022, most charging stations do not yet allow paying for with a regular bank card (this will change from 2023), and dedicated cards or smartphone apps are still needed. The charging card uses a Radio-frequency identification (RFID) chip (contactless), but how is this for the smartphone apps? Can I scan a Quick Response (QR) code or does it need to support Near Field Communication (NFC)?
My smartphone does not support NFC, and I'm trying to understand if I need to order cards from the (largest) roaming providers (those cards cost money), or if I can count on my smartphone for paying at (fast) charging stations.
Best Answer
I don't know about Germany, but for The Netherlands I found a few sources stating that you can pay via a QR-code and an app:
- FastNed: How can I charge my EV at FastNed:
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When you start a charging session with a QR-code, you don't need a dedicated charging card or any other form of registration [...] Scan the QR-code [...] choose the payment method in the app [...]
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- Shell Recharge:
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Ease of payment: use your Shell Recharge charge card, a card of another provider or pay via a QR-code with your phone
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- Mountoux.com: Best charging station apps:
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Smoov App: [...] Start charging session with QR-code, no need for a charging card, pay in the App (with your bank account, creditcard, [...])
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Note that I don't have firsthand experience in charging an EV and that it appears to strongly depend on which charging station / app combination you encounter.
Pictures about "Does my smartphone need NFC to pay at car charging stations in Germany and The Netherlands?"
How do I pay EV charging in Europe?
The majority of the surveyed European countries consider an EU-wide regulation to be useful that ensures the acceptance of contactless payment with at least one common debit or credit card at every new charging point.How do you pay EV chargers?
Public charging stations offer a range of ways to pay, often via a special card or payment app on your phone. That said, many chargers increasingly feature contactless technology, meaning you can pay with an ordinary debit or credit card.How do I charge my car in the Netherlands?
In order to charge an electric car at a public charging point, you need a pass. You can ask for it online or you can also use your personal charging card. There is no time limit on charging at the charging point and there are many charging companies in the Netherlands. Expect to pay at least 30 cent per kWh.How do I charge my car in Germany?
How to charge an electric car in GermanyPublic EV charging: how-to, tips, pros/cons, reality
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