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System Types
A charging station’s access controls refer to the different ways that users can obtain the ability to utilize or otherwise manipulate the charger. There are owner-specific and customer-specific access controls. Some access controls are physical, while others are software or app-based. Examples of access controls include switches, cards, keypads, and smartphones. For details regarding each access control method, see below.
Some access controls are physical, while others are software or app-based. Examples of access controls include switches, cards, keypads, & smartphones.
Owner Manual Controls
Manual controls consist of simply turning off the power that supplies the charger or locking the charger up by some physical means.
Adding a relay that can be controlled by a switch near the front desk could be expensive if the front desk is quite a distance from the path of the power flow between the electric panel and where the charger is located.
Charging Equipment Vendor Supplied Controls
Manual Controls
At least one vendor offers a simple key switch mounted on the charging station to turn on and off the control mechanism. With the key switch off, the charger will not supply power to the vehicle.
Software-Related Access Controls
Many EV Charging vendors offer access controls using various types of controls, from card access and Bluetooth™ to kiosk and Smartphone network apps. Some vendors can lock the charging cord in place on the charger and allow it to be unlocked or released from the holder when a charging session is activated.
Registering with a Network Operator can enhance your charging experience by providing features and notifications such as charge status (complete, charging, interrupted, etc.) energy consumption, charging duration.
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Cards
RFID cards have a small electronic chip inside. Holding this card up to a charger allows the charging station to read the chip and, if authorized, grant access. There are different types of RFID cards. Check with your security or IT department if you plan to use employee or tenant access cards to see if they are compatible with the type of equipment you wish to purchase. Some vendors can sync chargers to pre-existing employee id cards. (This method will typically require coordination between the network provider and the security department.)
Magnetic Stripe Cards
Swipe cards can be special cards by a certain vendor or regular credit and debit cards. Card compatibility is determined by the type of card reader used by the station. Typically, these cards are used with a back-end payment system by a Network Operator (see section on Network Operators).
Payment Kiosk/Keypad
As an alternative to having each individual station use its own payment card and communications connected to a back-end network, a payment kiosk may be used. Users access a central payment kiosk that controls the operation of each individual charger. A payment kiosk may use a variety of different payment mechanisms such as cash or credit card and is comparable to those used for parking payments. The station is then activated with a code provided at the Kiosk using the keypad on the charger.
Bluetooth™ allows an owner to program a series of access codes to grant to select users. Users then enter the codes into their charging app to access the charger.
Smartphone Apps
Bluetooth™ controls: Controlling the operation of charging equipment using Bluetooth via computer or smartphone is a simple, low-cost method of managing access to chargers without a monthly access fee. Bluetooth™ allows an owner to program a series of access codes to grant to select users. Users then enter the codes into their charging app to access the charger. Codes can be changed an unlimited number of times and added or removed from each charger as desired.
Vendor Apps: Most network providers have their own in-house app to find and control in-network charging stations. While some vendors display other charging spots in the area, they can only control the chargers within their specific network.
Pay with PlugShare: Plugshare is an app that is used to locate chargers along a route, in a given vicinity, or anywhere a driver selects. Plugshare has teamed up with network providers to facilitate payment via the PlugShare app. This allows users to pay with PlugShare and avoid the need to join a specific network provider.
Apple Pay™: AppleMaps™ shows Chargepoint charging stations that can be activated using the ApplePay™ service.
Paypal: Certain vendors provide the ability to pay with Paypal using their apps.
Make a Phone Call: If you lack a smartphone or misplaced your network card, most networked stations will allow you to make a call to the network support number on the charger to start a charge session. If you do not have an account with that vendor, you might need to make a payment with a credit card or join their network.
Fleet Operator Fuel Payment Cards: A few vendors can support Fleet Operator Fuel Payment cards. If you are a fleet user and want to track fueling on your electric fleet vehicles, then select one of these vendors.