Payment: Mercedes Introduces Automated Charging Stations

The market for electric vehicles is expanding fast, leading charging stations to evolve. The German car maker Daimler keeps heading for this sector and just completed a pilot phase for automated payments applied to charging processes. The new system was designed in partnership with the German specialist, Hubject.

Following a successful test phase, Daimler and Hubject are introducing their Plug&Charge payment solution. The underlying technology relies on storing the driver’s payment information to his car’s ISO 15118-compliant connected system. This international standard governs automated information exchanges between the vehicle and charging infrastructure.

When parked in front of the charging station, the car is identified using its serial number or licence plate. The driver's authorisation data is sent and compared in encrypted form. Once the identification process validated, the driver only has to plug his car in the charging station. This process and the payment step are started automatically using the payment method previously added to the driver’s profile.

This new payment solution only applies to smart EQ fortwo/forfour vehicles for now. Daimler’s parent company Mercedes does, however, plan to make Plug&Charge available for their entire EQ range of electric vehicles.

Comments – Electric car and on-board payments

All merchants now want to make the payment step “invisible”, but manufacturers seem to have taken the lead to this respect as they keep working on in-car payments. Transactions to do with services for car drivers, including toll roads and car parking, are also considered with full automation in mind. Car makers have been designing several prototypes to achieve this goal. Honda, for instance, tested an in-car payment service for car parking and fuel payments. And Mercedes relies on a similar principle to expand its range of services.

This initiative further highlights Mercedes-Benz-Cars focus on “electromobility”. Implementing seamless payment features should help them streamline drivers’ experience. Their customers will no longer have to pull out their payment card, smartphone, or even a specific card for charging their vehicle. The German group would then walk in Tesla’s footsteps, as this company used to be the only car maker enabling their users to charge their electric car automatically.