Electric Vehicles Articles | Zap-Map Launches Game-Changing EV Charging Payment Service

Zap-Map launches game-changing EV charging payment service

 

7 September, 2020

 

ESB EV Solutions customers to benefit from single cross-network payment service

 

  • Zap-Pay makes payment on any network simple and will help accelerate EV adoption.
  • New service allows EV drivers to search, plan and pay all in one app.

ESB EV Solutions customers will be able to avail of the benefits of Zap-Pay, a new service from Zap Map that enables EV drivers to use a single app to pay for charging across different networks.

Drivers currently need to use multiple apps and cards to pay to charge on different networks. Zap-Pay will allow all EV drivers to seamlessly pay to charge on any participating network. Many thousands of EV drivers already use Zap-Map to locate chargers across the UK, plan longer journeys and share updates. With the addition of Zap-Pay, drivers will now be able to search, plan and pay, all in one app – a UK first.

Ensuring payment is easy is a key concern for the government and industry. The lack of simple access to different charge points, run by more than 40 networks, risks delaying the mass shift to EVs. Zap-Pay addresses this problem by providing a simple, universal payment system.

ESB EV Solutions, Engenie, LiFe and Hubsta will roll out Zap-Pay in the autumn, using a simple pay-as-you-go (PAYG) tariff. Zap-Pay will be rolled out across UK networks in 2021, providing unique and unrivalled coverage across the whole country.

Rachel Maclean, the UK Government Transport Minister, said: “It should be as easy for drivers to charge their vehicles at public charge points as it is to pay for petrol or diesel. This is why I have made services, such as the one launched today, a personal priority as we transition to zero emission vehicles.

“As the EV market continues to go from strength to strength, journey planning and paying with one app or membership card must also follow – Zap-Pay will help do just that, propelling us towards cleaner towns and cities and a zero emission future.”

Ben Lane, CTO and joint Managing Director at Zap-Map said: “More people than ever are buying an EV, but providing a seamless charging experience is essential to accelerate this shift, cut carbon emissions and clean our air. We already buy much of our shopping with the tap of a finger – Zap-Pay means that EV charging is now the same. No one should need dozens of accounts, apps and cards to charge their car. With one simple app, drivers can now simply plug in and the app manages the rest.”

Niall Hogan, Head of ESB EV Solutions said, ‘We are delighted to partner with Zap-Map to offer our customers an alternative way to pay for their charge using Zap-Pay. Putting the customer first is at the centre of everything we do in ESB EV Solutions so this PAYG solution through ZAP-Map’s app will be hugely beneficial for occasional EV drivers, enabling them to pay for their charge across numerous charge point providers using one channel.”

“We entered the GB market in 2017 and already have  94 Rapid Chargers across London and 35 Rapid Chargers in Coventry– which drivers can now also use with Zap-Pay as well as our EV Plug in App.  Our new partnership with Birmingham City Council will provide another 200 Chargers that drivers will be able to use with Zap-pay as well as EV Plug In.”

The strength of the EV market has grown even during the COVID-19 pandemic, with EV registrations up by 262% in June 2020 year on year. In contrast, sales of combustion vehicles slumped by more than a third (35%) over the same period.

To support this growth, the EV charge-point sector is set for 29% year-on-year growth to 2030. There are already more than 12,000 charging locations in the UK – more than the total number of petrol stations.

In response to both industry and EV driver feedback, the UK Government is launching a consultation on improving the consumer experience of EV charging, including interoperability between networks.

In addition to delivering a simple way to pay for EV charging, Zap-Pay will provide live status updates, charging history, PDF VAT receipts and 24/7 customer support. A support helpline will be provided by EVA Global, the leading emobility service provider.

Zap-Map is also developing new features to support the electrification of commercial fleets and other e-mobility services, which will be rolled out over the next 12 months.