Allego, Visa and the other card schemes American Express and Mastercard have announced the launch of an easy-to-use payment solution for Electric Vehicle (EV) drivers on a global scale starting in the UK. The joint development of a new official and certified multi-optional payment standard enables EV drivers to pay directly via (EMV) NFC at upgraded Allego chargers. EMV stands for Europay, Mastercard, Visa and is a security standard for the chips embedded in credit cards. NFC stands for NearField Communication and is the technology that allows data to be read by compatible machines without contact. Due to this technology EV drivers pay by just tapping their debit card, credit card or NFC enabled device including a wallet (banks, Apple Pay, Google Pay) at the charger’s built-in payment terminal. The first Allego fast charger with (EMV) NFC technology will be deployed at Shell Holloway in London as of today, with this new technology then being introduced across the Shell Recharge network in the UK. As from 2019 every new 50kW charger from Allego will have standard NFC at installation.

The EV market is growing rapidly, EV market share is likely to continue to grow and drivers will seek out the easiest and most convenient way to charge and pay. The tap and pay technology simplifies the EV charging experience and allows new and experienced EV drivers to easily start a charging session by tapping their (EMV) NFC cards, phones or wearables at an Allego charger. Just by tapping a card on the Allego charger, EV drivers can initiate, stop and pay for the charging session whenever they want. The partnership with Visa and other card schemes makes it possible for drivers to see exactly how much their session has cost them at the end of the session.

“The new payment solution at our chargers is essential to offer EV drivers worldwide price transparency. We believe in a consumer centric EV market, in which electric vehicle drivers have access to every charging facility, can pay however they want and get a direct overview of their costs”, says Anja van Niersen, CEO Allego. “Thanks to the strong collaboration with Visa we could accelerate the deployment of the payment services at our chargers. This a step that will change people’s habits and will make e-charging easier and more accessible for all of our customers”, added Mrs van Niersen.

“Visa’s mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, reliable and secure payment network so we are delighted to work alongside Allego and Shell to enhance the payment experience for electric vehicle drivers in the UK,” says Hemlata Narasimhan, Head of Merchant Services, Europe at Visa. “Until now electric vehicle drivers have faced a lengthy registration processes in order to charge their vehicles, however this partnership means drivers will be able to pay easily at Shell forecourts without the need to enter into a contract or settle payments on a monthly basis. Electric vehicle drivers are used to a seamless experience when they are behind the steering wheel and now we are enabling a similarly seamless experience when they charge their vehicles.”

Jane Lindsay-Green, Shell UK Future Fuels manager, said: “Shell Recharge provides Electric Vehicle drivers with a convenient way to charge their cars on-the-go. We know that ease of payment is a priority for EV drivers, and so we’re pleased to be working with Allego to now offer Shell Recharge customers another quick, easy and hassle-free payment solution.”

SOURCE: Allego