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The more electric cars are on the road, the greater the pressure to establish simple payment systems for charging.
The latest figures on new car registrations show that electric cars are in demand like never before. The market share for new registrations this year is 20.5 percent.
Pure electric cars recorded an increase of 27 percent compared to the previous year. Public charging stations are also making progress. There are now as many as conventional gas stations.
If you are traveling with an electric car, you should preferably get the electricity at these so-called quick charging stations. A charging process there takes between 30 and 60 minutes.
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Some of the charging stations for electric cars have to be activated with an app or a card.
Keystone/Christian Beutler
The plug is quickly plugged in, but no electricity is flowing yet. Jürg Grossen, President of Swiss E-Mobility, criticizes this. “The problem is that you sometimes have to unlock the charging station with an app or card. You can’t just get there like you would when filling up a car with an internal combustion engine.”
Providers try to retain customers
A non-discriminatory payment system is therefore missing. Because the battle between the various providers is great. Since electromobility is still a niche despite the boom, providers are trying to retain existing customers with subscription systems, customer cards and apps.
At some point you will get to the point where you will regulate it and say: Now we will create a uniform system in Europe.
“It is clear that everyone wants to assert themselves. This is known from other industrial sectors, for example from the mobile phone charging cable. At some point you will get to the point where you will regulate it and say: Now we will create a uniform system in Europe. The same charging cable should be sold everywhere. The same should also be the case with the payment methods for electromobility.”
Things are already moving in this direction at European level. By 2026, payment terminals are to become the standard at fast-charging stations. But there are also approaches in Switzerland.
The need for action is great, more publicly accessible charging stations are needed.
The Federal Roads Office Astra has specified how rapid charging stations at rest areas must be equipped. Silvan Rosser from the consulting firm EBP explains how the principle works on national roads.
“The Astra wants non-discriminatory access. This means that anyone can charge there, even if you are not connected to a charging network. You don’t have to register in advance and it must be possible to pay directly by credit card.»
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In Switzerland, electric vehicles can be charged at a total of 2068 charging stations operated by 18 network operators.
Keystone/Christian Beutler
Such a solution for fast charging will prevail, says Rosser. “Something is really coming our way in the next few years. The need for action is great, more publicly accessible charging stations are needed.”
Uniform plugs and uniform payment system
Because the transition of the electric car from a niche product to the broad market is in full swing. More and more models are coming.
“I’ve been driving electrically for twelve years and have experienced various stages of development. The large mass of electric cars is only just beginning. You can see that clearly in the new registration figures, which are rising sharply. I’m convinced that it won’t be long before the plug and the payment system are established.»
With every additional electric car that is on the road in Switzerland, the pressure increases for something to change when it comes to payment.