Here are the main questions about RFID cards and their use for charging electric cars.
EV CHARGING CARDS
EV charging cards represent the ideal solution to streamline and speed up the charging of electric vehicles. In Europe, the ChargeUp association reported the presence of 145,122 charging stations in 2022 (Source: ChargeUp Europe, 2023 State of the Industry Report).
How to activate an EV charging card? The use of electric car charging cards is a simple and intuitive process that allows for practical and quick energy refuelling. These cards, equipped with a contactless RFID chip, can activate the supply of electricity by simply holding them close to the charging symbol on the station, which is fitted with an RFID reader.
How do EV charging cards work? There are two main types of RFID EV charging cards: prepaid cards, which allow you to load credit that is deducted with each charge, and postpaid cards, where all charges are recorded and invoiced at the end of the month.
Thanks to RFID technology, EV charging cards benefits are numerous:
- Convenience and practicality: They allow for easy and quick charging of electric vehicles.
- Security: User data and transactions are protected by security systems.
- Traceability: It is possible to monitor consumption and charging activities.
LEARN MORE ABOUT ELECTRIC CAR CHARGING CARDS
Best electric vehicle charging cards for road trips
When choosing the best EV charging cards for your needs, it is essential to consider the frequency — Low Frequency 125 kHz or High Frequency 13.56 MHz — and the type of RFID chip supported by the reading system.
At Partitalia, we also offer a wide selection of card materials, starting with PVC and PETG, which are highly resistant to heat and chemicals, flexible, and have excellent printability. Then there are the eco-friendly materials: recycled PVC, made from scraps of standard material, which provides the same technical performance while reducing emissions and landfill waste; degradable PVC, which breaks down faster than standard PVC while maintaining the same properties; and wood, fully recyclable and biodegradable, available in bamboo, maple, and lime.
RFID vs app-based EV charging
RFID cards are a practical solution for charging your electric car, which you can conveniently keep in your wallet. Compared to app-based charging, charging via cards is more reliable and secure: EV charge cards ensure that the vehicle can be recharged even if there is no Internet connection. In addition, authentication and payment can be faster with RFID cards, especially for frequent users.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT CONTACTLESS EV CHARGING SOLUTIONS
How to get an EV charging card
Partitalia produces customised electric car charging cards, printing unique and distinctive cards that reflect the identity of the company, with company logo and colours. Top RFID charging cards for electric cars are in standard ISO format - you can keep them conveniently in your wallet - and are printed using offset, silkscreen printing with gold and silver colours, and matt varnish.
Another format available is the minicard: these are smaller cards than the standard ones, which can be inserted into a keyfob and are customizable in terms of cut, for example by reproducing the manufacturer’s logo.
At the end of the printing process, for both ISO format and minicards, we offer a fulfillment service, which includes flow pack - inserting the cards into a transparent thermoplastic bag - or packaging and shipping to the customer’s specified address, or packaging in cardboard boxes (card packaging), also customised according to customer needs.
FAQs EV charging cards
What are EV charging cards?
EV charging cards enable the activation of charging stations and manage energy payments. Equipped with an RFID chip, the card communicates with the RFID reader, enabling the delivery of electrical energy. There are two types of electric car charging cards: prepaid, which deduct the remaining credit, and postpaid, which record consumption for monthly billing.
How do electric car charging cards work?
The RFID EV charging card enables the activation of charging stations and initiates the electric vehicle charging process. The card must be brought into proximity with the RFID reader, which reads the information stored on the card’s chip, including a unique identifier and user or subscription data. Subsequently, the system verifies the authenticity of the card and its association with a user account. If authentication is successful, the charging station is enabled, and the user can proceed with charging. The amount of energy delivered is recorded and linked to the card, and payment is processed according to the user’s chosen tariff plan.
How do I get an electric vehicle charging card?
Partitalia, in its Lainate plant, produces electric vehicle cards customised with company logos and colours, printed in offset or silkscreen printing, to fully reflect the characteristics of the brand. We offer a wide range of printing techniques, including offset and screen printing.
As a leader in RFID technology, the company provides cards for LF or HF frequency charging, to meet customer needs.
What’s the difference between RFID EV charging cards and app-based payments?
RFID EV charging cards use Radio Frequency Identification technology to authenticate users. The card usually contains prepaid credit or is linked to a postpaid account. The payment is processed automatically when the reloading session starts, based on the stored information.
App-based payments often use QR codes or NFC technology to authenticate users. The user scans the QR code or taps their phone on the charging station’s NFC reader. The payment information is stored within the app, linked to a payment method like a credit card or digital wallet. Payment is processed through the app when the charging session starts.
