Payment transactions without contractual obligations, without the need for an app, with clear price transparency and barrier-free? It sounds obvious, but unfortunately it is not yet a reality across the board in everyday European e-mobility. The AFIR Regulation (EU 2023/1804) has been in force since April 2024, stipulating that public charging points must enable ad hoc payment. Existing transition periods until 2027 explain this Lück e. In the future, all customers should be able to spontaneously pay for the charging process of their electric cars using established payment methods . How can manufacturers and operators of charging infrastructure best prepare for this?
Why ad hoc payment?
The legal framework of AFIR has a clear goal: to break down barriers and simplify e-mobility. Electric car drivers are familiar with the problem: until now, there has been a “card jungle” of charging cards from a wide variety of providers , often associated with a lack of transparency and additional costs. This is where the concept of ad hoc payment comes in, promising, as the name suggests, immediate and simple payment or an “open loop”: payment by credit or debit card or mobile payment directly at the charging station, as we all know from refueling.
The clear advantages for users are:
- No roaming charges: fewer intermediaries mean lower costs.
- Price transparency: Price is visible before the charging process and users do not experience any nasty surprises.
Although has been mandatory since April 2024, implementation is not yet widespread. Many operators are hesitant due to the upcoming integration effort and associated costs. This is where smart solutions come into play.
CHARX control modular: The link for ad hoc payment
Our AC charging controller CHARX control modular impresses with its high level of integration capability. Thanks to flexible parameter control, we use established interfaces such as OCPP to ensure smooth communication between the charging point and the payment system. Compatibility is not just a promise, but has been proven through extensive testing with leading payment providers. What’s more, the solution is future-proof: whether QR code payment or classic card terminal – all options can be conveniently controlled via our platform. This enables operators to achieve AFIR compliance without having to fundamentally overhaul their hardware.
Exemplary solutions for ad hoc payment
Two providers show how AFIR-compliant payment processes can be implemented efficiently:
With the hub, ev-pay provides a cloud-based platform that complies with calibration law and works independently of the CPMS. A central element is the ev-pay tariff server, which synchronizes price information and thus ensures transparency. Operators retain full control over their tariffs and can efficiently implement the requirements of AFIR.
With the Pay-t terminal, GLS mobility offers a solution for card and mobile payments that can be integrated directly into the charging station or used as a separate kiosk variant. In addition, the bill.bo platform enables QR code-based web payments and is CPMS-compatible and manufacturer-neutral. This allows different payment methods to be flexibly mapped.
Both systems create the necessary infrastructure for ad hoc payments, while our AC charging controller CHARX control modular forms the technical bridge: it ensures communication between the charging point and the payment system and makes integration simple and future-proof.
Conclusion
Ad hoc payment is not a “nice-to-have,” but a must for operators and ultimately also a customer expectation. Open Loop brings simplicity and transparency, while our CHARX control modular forms the technical bridge. Together with partners such as ev-pay and GLS mobility, we make AFIR-compliant solutions quick and economical to implement.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What does the AFIR Regulation stipulate regarding ad hoc payment at charging stations?
Die AFIR-Verordnung (EU 2023/1804) verpflichtet seit April 2024 Betreiber öffentlicher Ladepunkte, Ad-hoc-Bezahlung ohne Vertragsbindung zu ermöglichen. Nutzer:innen müssen spontan und barrierefrei mit etablierten Zahlungsmitteln wie Kreditkarte oder Mobile Payment bezahlen können.
What are the advantages of ad hoc payment for electric car drivers?
Ad-hoc-Payment sorgt für Preistransparenz, weniger Gebühren und einfache Bedienung: Der Preis ist vor dem Ladevorgang sichtbar, es gibt keine Roaming-Gebühren und Nutzer:innen können flexibel ohne App oder Vertrag bezahlen.
How can operators easily implement AFIR-compliant payment systems?
With solutions such as CHARX control modular, EV pay, and GLS mobility, the integration of open payment systems can be achieved quickly and economically. These systems enable smooth communication between the charging point and the payment system and meet AFIR requirements without costly hardware upgrades
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