Which charging card should you choose for your electric car?

While some terminals offer payment by credit card, this solution is unfortunately not the most common solution in France. In order to refuel your electric vehicle outside your home, you generally need an application from the operator of the destination terminal or the appropriate badge. Between charging cards from manufacturers, universal tokens or cards limited to a more local network, you should be equipped before traveling in an electric vehicle, especially since prices can vary for the same terminal depending on the formula chosen. .

From the beginning, it is necessary to distinguish between “universal” tokens (CharMap Pass type), which offer access to a large number of terminals, and operator cards limited to branded terminals (for example, IZIVIA type). Depending on the charging network covered, where you live and the applicable tariffs, it may be a good idea to have a few so you’re never caught off guard.

There are different formulas on the price side. Some add-on cards are free, while others are chargeable. Thus, operators choose the outright purchase of the card, while others choose a monthly or annual subscription formula. To this shall be added user fees, which may be fixed for each top-up or equal to a percentage of the top-up.

Generally, a free card charges an additional fee, while a subscription card offers additional services such as discounted rates and ultra-fast charging. Finally, prepaid cards charge a lower fee per top-up without being as attractive as subscription plans. If you mostly charge at home, a free card can do the trick for occasional needs. On the other hand, big rollers have every interest in choosing a formula with a subscription that can be interesting during the filling. In any case, it is always recommended to have a universal recharge card to deal with unexpected situations.

Basic filling icons

Filling Map

In addition to offering arguably the best-known and most widely available, value-for-money route planner, ChargeMap offers a tab that offers access to over 280,000 terminals across Europe. To get this badge, you have to pay a one-time fee of €19.90; The ChargeMap card works without a subscription. However, be careful as many users complain that the user fees are too high. This is the price to pay to enter most of the terminals in the area, while limiting the number of tokens that must be owned.

My Recharge Card

The Ma Carte de Recharge solution offered by Engie provides access to a large network of terminals with more than 270,000 charging points in France and Europe. Available as a single purchase, the card costs €19 and is versatile enough to access multiple terminals.

Shell Refill / New Move

Shell Filling

Shell Recharge is a mobile application that lets you know the locations that offer charging points for your electric vehicle. It offers addresses in several European countries, including France.

• Version :
  10.1.0
• Downloads:
  19
• Release date:
  01/12/2023
• Author:
  The New Motion BV
• License:
  Free License
• Categories:
  

  Travel

• Operating system :
  

  Android, iOS iPhone / iPad
  

The Shell Recharge or New Motion card is a universal card with more than 275,000 public charging stations in Europe thanks to its roaming network. If the card is free, you must pay € 0.35/charging unit, regardless of the power or capacity consumed, to be added to the charging price.

Izivia

Izivia

Izivia, from the EDF group, invites you to discover its mobility offers and mobile apps to quickly find charging stations for your electric vehicle in your area.

• Version :
  54.0.0
• Downloads:
  6
• Release date:
  05/12/2022
• Author:
  IZIVIA – EDF Group
• License:
  Free License
• Categories:
  

  Travel

• Operating system :
  

  Android, Online service All Internet browsers, iOS iPhone / iPad
  

The operator EDF also has a charge card called Izivia, which is particularly useful for car drivers living in urban areas, as most of the Izivia terminals are located in Paris, Lyon, Nancy, Nantes, Bordeaux and their suburbs. The card is offered to individuals for a unit price of €15.

new shaft

Terminal operator Freshmile offers an accessible card that gives access to more than 200,000 charging points in Europe. The card is subscription-free and costs €4.99 to access popular fares at terminals of the same name. As always, roaming terminals will raise the bill.

Kiwi Crossing

The Mango operator offers the Kiwhi Pass card for access to more than 150,000 terminals in Europe and approximately 93% of French terminals. Two formulas allow you to get a token: the Kiwhi Pass A L’ACTE offer for casual drivers costs €19 and requires €0.70 per charging session; The Kiwhi Pass CONFORT subscription formula costs €24 per year (ie €2 per month) and reduces download costs to €0.35 per session.

Plugsurfing

Plugsurfing, which is more widespread in Germany, offers a card for €9.95, to which is added about 10% of the cost of the payment. This is a good card for drivers driving in Germany. Plugsurfing also partners with certain brands, such as Volvo, who integrate the Plugsurfing service into their ecosystems.

ionicity

IONIA

Want to hit the road in your electric car, but afraid of running out of power? Get on the road with confidence with the IONITY app!

• Version :
  1.5.0
• Downloads:
  54
• Release date:
  01/05/2023
• Author:
  IONITY GmbH
• License:
  Free License
• Categories:
  

  Travel

• Operating system :
  

  Android, iOS iPhone / iPad
  

As a result of a consortium of several car manufacturers (BMW, Mercedes, VW, Hyundai and Ford), Ionity offers many ultra-fast terminals, especially in the motorway network. Although the network terminals are accessible to everyone, only via QR Code, Ionity offers its subscription formula for 17.99 euros per month to benefit from fast charging for 0.35 euros (compared to 0.69 euros). Obviously, constructors who are members of the consortium often offer special subscriptions that give their customers access to discounted rates. It is a good solution for heavy riders who regularly use a chargeable band and require very fast charging.

What about Tesla?

The operation of Tesla Superchargers is more transparent. If charging is made as simple as possible for brand car owners, those with other brand cars can still use the Tesla charging network with certain compatible stations. To do this, you must first download the Tesla app and enter a credit card or bank account. Before charging, you must select the “Charge your non-Tesla” option, then the selected terminal at the appropriate station. All that’s left to do is plug your car into the power grid, with payment automatically made to the linked bank account. On the other hand, it is important to be well informed about the application and all the information before charging your electric car.

Which ones should you choose?

In addition to the possible mark of the manufacturer of your car, it is always safer to have another, more universal one to meet different daily needs. It’s the Chargemap badge that convinces most motorists in this little game. However, the alternative offered by Shell/New Motion is quite suitable with a free card at a very reasonable additional cost of €0.35/charging session.

Heavy drivers will opt for an Ionity Passport subscription, which will offer them a discounted rate to charge very quickly on the highway, provided they have an eligible electric vehicle without going off route.

On the other hand, the Chargemap app and site remain essential for route planning with your car’s charging needs in mind. The ABRP (A Better Route Planner) service offers similar services with the addition of some very useful options. Thus, it is possible to have a detailed route plan that takes into account many parameters, such as vehicle model, starting load, battery capacity at arrival, threshold that should not be crossed when reaching the terminal. vehicle speed or real-time weather and driving conditions. It is a perfect tool to plan your trips with maximum precision.

Better Route Planner (ABRP)

A Better Route Planner (ABRP) is a free mobile app and online service that lets you geo-locate charging stations for your electric vehicle along your route.

• Version :
  4.3.3
• Downloads:
  136
• Release date:
  22/12/2022
• Author:
  Iternio Planning AB
• License:
  Free License
• Categories:
  

  Travel

• Operating system :
  

  Android, Online service All Internet browsers, iOS iPhone / iPad / Apple Watch
  

If you choose to equip yourself with several badges to always benefit from the best price, the Chargeprice site and application are good allies so that you do not face any surprises when connecting the car, unlike them, the prices are not always clearly displayed. at regular service stations.