The Federal Minister of Transport on Scholz: “He is now responsible for the slower expansion of the charging stations due to the additional technical requirements.”
(Photo: dpa)
Berlin In the future, drivers of e-cars will also have to be able to pay at the charging station with EC and credit cards. On Friday, the Federal Council approved the amendment to the charging station ordinance proposed by the federal government by a majority. New charging stations must therefore be equipped with readers for credit and giro cards from July 2023.
The banking industry had advocated such a system that would enable users of electric cars to pay with common bank cards. The association of the automotive industry and the energy industry had braced themselves against the project and argued with the costs of installing readers. They prefer to keep paying via smartphone apps or loyalty cards. There is currently no uniform payment system for charging stations.
While the banking industry spoke of a wise and future-oriented decision, Federal Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer (CSU) and the Association of the Automotive Industry sharply criticized the decision: “It is disappointing that the Federal Council unfortunately did not follow the recommendations of the committees today, but opted for technologies without Decided the future ”, explained VDA boss Hildegard Müller. EC card terminals with PIN pads are not a step forward, but represent a step backwards, with which additional costs are connected. This slows the pace of expansion of the charging infrastructure.
Payments should become easier
On the other hand, the German banking industry sees the decision as an important relief. E-car users wanted to be able to pay for electricity with their card as conveniently and simply as possible, just like the fuel bill at the petrol station today. The focus is now on the European level. “In the interests of consumers, Europe’s legislators must also make it possible to pay with credit and giro cards at the e-charging stations,” said Karl-Peter Schackmann-Fallis, executive board member of the German Savings Banks and Giro Association (DSGV).
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The Federal Government believes that the change is intended to make payments simpler and more transparent. Every car driver should also be able to charge spontaneously, even if he does not have a smartphone or a charging card to hand. Most e-car drivers currently either use charging cards from electricity and mobility providers or pay via an app with their smartphone.
From July 2023, all new charging stations for e-cars should have a card reader. The federal and state governments want to ensure uniform payment options.
(Photo: dpa)
The dispute is also about customer loyalty. The banking industry does not want to fall behind if e-mobility continues to boom and with it sales. The car manufacturers and with them electricity suppliers want to retain their customers and offer them other services in addition to paying at the electricity pump.
“Means of the 20th century”
Transport Minister Scheuer criticized the decision and accused Finance Minister Olaf Scholz (SPD) of being a plaything for lobbyists. “The EC card lobbying has fully struck with Finance Minister Scholz,” said the CSU politician on Friday the German press agency. “He is now responsible for the slower expansion of the charging stations due to the additional technical requirements.” In the meantime, you can even pay with your mobile phone at the supermarket checkout.
Scheuer emphasized that “the mobility of the 21st century should now be rebuilt using the resources of the 20th century”. Scholz was influenced by the banking industry in making the proposal.
There is currently no uniform payment system at the more than 46,000 public charging stations in Germany, instead there are hundreds of operators, contract models and tariffs.
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