US Standards for EV Chargers Would Require Contactless Payments

Electric vehicle (EV) public charging stations installed using funds provided by the federal government’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) may be required to include contactless payment methods if proposed standards announced Thursday (June 9) are adopted. 

That’s one of the proposed requirements published by the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM). 

Other proposed standards for payment methods used at EV charging stations in the NPRM include that contactless payment be accepted from all major debit and credit cards, that access and service are not restricted by membership or payment method type, and that plug and charge payment capabilities are required. 

Ensuring Interoperability of EV Charging Stations 

“The proposed regulation would include requirements meant to ensure the interoperability of EV charging stations across the national network by requiring payment methods to adhere to industry standards and also requiring that memberships not be required for use,” FHWA said in the NPRM. “The interoperability of charging stations is key to ensuring EV drivers can have a consistent payment experience across the country.” 

In the NPRM, the FHWA requests comments on the payment methods that are currently proposed, whether non-contactless payment options should be required and whether other payment methods should be required. 

“The proposed regulation also outlines several requirements meant to ensure payment options are secure, equitable, and accessible, while still ensuring that the rule will accommodate future innovations in payment methods.” 

Advocating for Contactless Payments 

The inclusion of contactless payment methods was applauded by EV charging network ChargePoint, one of nine manufacturers, deployers and operators of EV charging networks that have been advocating for contactless credit and debit card readers. 

“We applaud the federal government for working to increase access to EV charging by embracing contactless credit card payment technology and supporting roaming between charging networks,” ChargePoint Vice President of Global Public Policy Anne Smart wrote in a statement provided to PYMNTS. 

Before Thursday’s publication of the NPRM, ChargePoint and others in the industry had been concerned that the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) formula program, which sets minimum standards for EV charging infrastructure installed using funds provided by BIL, did not specify a payment method — saying only that those that are offered must ensure “secure, convenient and equal access.” 

In an April 13 letter addressed to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, nine companies involved with EV charging networks outlined the benefits of contactless payments and the drawbacks of credit card readers that physically interact with the card while reading its Magstripe or EMV chip. 

Read more: EV Charging Network Firms Seek Contactless Payments at Charging Stations 

Building-Out 500,000 EV Chargers 

The proposed standards are part of the federal government’s plan to build-out 500,000 EV chargers nationwide as part of the BIL, according to a fact sheet released Thursday (June 9) by the White House. 

“Without strong standards, chargers would be less reliable, may not work for all cars, or lack common payment methods,” the White House said in the fact sheet. “The new standards will ensure everyone can use the network — no matter what car you drive or which state you charge in.” 

In the statement provided to PYMNTS, ChargePoint’s Smart said, “ChargePoint has been working with the federal government, states, and our partners to ensure the NEVI program is designed and implemented in a way that best addresses the needs of EV drivers. These draft minimum standards incorporate many best practices we have developed over the last 15 years.”