How Drivers Pay for EV Charging: QR, RFID Card, App and WhatsApp

The four common ways to pay

1. A charging app

The driver pays through the charging company's app, using a saved card or a wallet. It suits frequent drivers on one network, but first-time drivers must install and set it up before they can charge.

2. An RFID tap card

The driver taps a card on the charger and the session starts. There is no phone involved, which makes cards the fastest option for regulars, staff and residents. The cost is billed to an account, a monthly plan or a company.

3. A QR code and a web page

The driver scans a QR code, a payment page opens in the browser, and they pay by card or UPI. No app is needed, though the driver still fills in a form.

4. A QR code and WhatsApp

The QR code opens a WhatsApp chat. The driver pays by UPI in the chat, sees units and cost while charging, and gets the receipt in the same chat. This is how drivers pay at chargers run on Savekar. See how charging on WhatsApp works.

Which one should you offer?

• Passing drivers, guests and shoppers: a QR code with WhatsApp or a web page, so nobody needs an app.
• Regulars, residents and staff: tap cards, so charging starts with no phone.
• Company vehicles: no payment at the plug at all, with each charge billed to the vehicle and depot later.
• Drivers loyal to another network: roaming through OCPI, so they can pay in their own app.

What the billing software must handle

Whichever way the driver pays, the work happens in the charging management software behind the charger.

• Pricing: a price per unit, with different prices for busy and quiet hours, plugs or members.
• Authorisation: the charger only starts once the payment, card or account is accepted.
• Metering: the meter readings from the charger become the bill.
• Refunds: if a prepaid session ends early, the unused amount goes back to the driver.
• Receipts: the driver gets a record of what they paid for.
• Settlement: the money reaches the charger owner's account.
• Reports: sessions and revenue per charger, site and customer.

Where does the money go?

Ask every vendor this. Some platforms collect drivers' payments and pass them on later, some take a cut of every session, and some pay you directly. On Savekar's Standard plan, drivers pay through Savekar's payment gateway and the money is settled to you. On Advanced and White Label, it goes straight into your own bank account. On every plan you keep 100% of the charging revenue, with no per-session cut. Tap cards and monthly plans for regulars come with the White Label plan.

Read more about the three plans or every feature in the software.