Trouble over Paying at the Charging Station

A dispute has erupted among stakeholders over the swift creation of a unified payment system, as mandated by the German Federal Government in the Corona economic stimulus package, as part of the expansion of the charging infrastructure. The new charging station regulation (LSV) explicitly demands this. However, according to a report by the Süddeutsche Zeitung, there is apparently a debate behind the scenes regarding the interpretation of the term "unified payment system" and whether it is sufficient to pay for charging uniformly via smartphone or if EC- and credit cards must also be accepted.

The latter is understandably favored primarily by financial institutions. The German Savings Banks and Giro Association advocates for a card payment option for so-called "ad-hoc" charging sessions. Omission of this option would be "detrimental to the societal anchoring of electromobility," complained Association President Helmut Schleweis in a letter to Federal Finance Minister Olaf Scholz (SPD).

The energy industry, on the other hand, warns of high costs associated with installing analog card readers at the charging stations. "The possibility of spontaneous charging is an infrequently used service that is mainly relevant as a backup option for users from other European countries," according to the analysis by the industry association BDEW for Federal Economics Minister Peter Altmeier (CDU). The association argues that implementing the card option would make charging stations ten percent more expensive, which it considers disproportionate, and predicts: "Analog card readers will be obsolete in a few years." 

So much for analog: Contactless is trending

However, the Bank Association estimates the costs significantly lower in an internal document, mentioning only 300 euros per unit. Additionally, the market is developing rapidly, and costs are expected to continue falling. The association rejects the term analog, as the devices are increasingly used contactlessly and without PIN, which also works at a charging station for amounts up to 50 euros.

Ultimately, the dispute is causing a delay in finding a solution. The BDEW expressed concern that the LSV has still not been approved by the cabinet contrary to the original plan. The Ministry of Finance is apparently pushing for a card solution. The compatibility with calibration law must also still be clarified. The automotive association VDA considers the LSV draft to be "acceptable" and is primarily pushing for a swift resolution.