# What Is Contactless EV Charging? By EV Charge Cables ยท Published 18 October 2026 **The short version** Contactless EV charging lets you start and pay for a public charging session by tapping a bank card or phone on the charge point reader, with no app or membership card needed. - New UK public chargers above 8kW must legally offer contactless payment - Contactless tariffs are often slightly higher than network membership rates - The cable type you need is unaffected by which payment method you use Contactless EV charging lets you start and pay for a public charging session using a bank card or mobile payment device, without needing a network membership app or RFID card. This makes it much easier to use public chargers if you are visiting a network for the first time or have simply left your charging card at home. You can find out more about the different cable types you might need at public chargers by browsing our [charging cable collection](https://www.evchargecable.co.uk/collections/ev-charging-cables). Contactless is now a legal requirement on new public chargers in the UK above a certain power rating, which means the situation is improving steadily for EV drivers. ### How does contactless payment work at a charge point? The process is similar to tapping your card at a shop till. You plug your cable into the charger and the car, then tap your contactless card or phone against the payment reader on the charger. The session starts, and when you return to unplug, the reader calculates the cost based on the energy delivered and deducts the amount from your card. Some chargers require you to tap again to end the session; others stop automatically when you unplug. The energy tariff should be displayed on the charger screen or nearby signage before you start. | Payment method | Setup required | Works on all networks | Best for | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Contactless card or phone | None | On chargers with readers (required by law on new rapid chargers) | Occasional or first-time users | | Network RFID card | Account registration | Network-specific only | Regular users of one network | | Smartphone app | Download and account setup | Network-specific only | Drivers who plan routes in advance | | Plug and charge (ISO 15118) | Car and charger must support it; account linked in advance | Limited rollout currently | Seamless regular rapid charging | ### When did contactless become a legal requirement in the UK? From November 2023, new public charge points with a power output above a set threshold (currently 8kW for new installations) must offer contactless payment. This was introduced under the Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations and subsequent guidance from the government. Older chargers installed before the rules took effect are not required to be retrofitted, which is why you will still encounter some charge points that only accept RFID cards or apps. The network of contactless-enabled chargers is growing as older hardware is replaced and new installations go in. ### Does contactless cost more than using a network membership? It can, yes. Many charging networks offer a lower per-kWh tariff for members who pay a monthly subscription or have a pre-registered account. The contactless price is often the network's standard rate, which may be higher than the member rate. Whether a subscription makes financial sense depends on how often you use public chargers and which networks you tend to use. If you mainly charge at home and only use public chargers occasionally, the convenience of contactless with no subscription fee usually outweighs the slightly higher per-session cost. Check the current rates on each network's website, as tariffs change regularly. ### What if a charger has no contactless reader? Some chargers, particularly older ones or those on smaller networks, still require you to use a network app or RFID card. If you encounter one of these, you have a few options: - Download the network's app and create an account on the spot. Most allow you to add a card and start a session within a few minutes. - Call the network's helpline, which is usually displayed on the charger. Some networks can initiate a session for you over the phone and bill your card. - Move on to an alternative charger if the network is unfamiliar and setting up an account is inconvenient. Having a small selection of RFID cards from major networks in your glovebox remains useful for those moments when a contactless reader is unavailable or out of order. ### Does contactless payment affect which cable you need? The payment method has no bearing on which cable your car requires. At a public rapid charger, the cable is typically tethered to the unit and you simply plug directly into your car's CCS, CHAdeMO, or Type 2 port depending on what your car accepts. At slower AC public chargers you may need to bring your own cable: most modern UK EVs use a [Type 2 cable](https://www.evchargecable.co.uk/collections/type-2-charging-cables) for AC charging. Check your car's handbook if you are unsure which connector type you need before setting off on a journey that relies on public charging. ### Is contactless EV charging safe and secure? Yes. Contactless payments at charge points use the same EMV technology found in card machines at shops, with the same bank-level security and fraud protections. The charger communicates with a payment processor over a secure connection, and the same contactless transaction limits that apply to retail apply here too. If you have concerns about card security, using a phone with Apple Pay or Google Pay adds a further layer of protection through tokenisation. There have been no widespread reports of contactless payment fraud specific to EV chargers in the UK. ### Frequently asked questions #### Can I use Apple Pay or Google Pay at public EV chargers? Yes, on chargers that support contactless NFC payments. Most modern contactless-enabled charge points accept mobile payment methods as well as physical cards. The contactless symbol on the reader indicates NFC payment is supported. If the charger's reader is older or the contactless feature is out of order, you may need to fall back to an app or RFID card for that session. #### Do all rapid chargers in the UK now have contactless? New rapid chargers installed since November 2023 are required to have contactless payment. However, many older chargers installed before the regulations took effect do not have contactless readers. The overall proportion of contactless-enabled chargers is increasing as the network expands and older hardware is upgraded, but you will still encounter chargers that require an app or RFID card, particularly on older or smaller networks. #### What is the difference between contactless and plug and charge? Contactless payment uses your bank card or phone to pay, and you still need to tap the reader to start the session. Plug and charge (using the ISO 15118 standard) is more automated: the charger and car communicate directly, identify each other, and begin billing automatically when you plug in, with no tapping needed. Plug and charge requires both the car and the charger to support the standard, and availability is currently limited to certain vehicle and network combinations. #### Will I be charged if I plug in but the charger does not start? No payment should be taken if the session does not start. Contactless payments at charge points typically pre-authorise a small amount which is released if the session fails. If you believe you have been incorrectly charged for a failed session, contact the network's customer service, whose number is usually shown on the unit. Keep a photo of the charger's screen as evidence if you can. #### Do I need a specific cable type to use contactless chargers? The cable type depends on your car's charging port and the charger's output, not the payment method. Most rapid chargers have tethered CCS cables. Slower public AC chargers often require you to bring a Type 2 cable of your own. Check your car's manual to understand which connector types it accepts and plan accordingly. #### Are contactless charging tariffs displayed before I start a session? Yes. Under UK regulations, the price per kWh must be displayed clearly before you commit to a session. This is shown on the charger's screen or on nearby signage. If you cannot see a price before starting, you are not obliged to proceed and can move to an alternative charger or network. Contactless payment has made using public chargers much more straightforward for occasional users and those trying a new network for the first time. For everything else you need when charging away from home, check our [guides section](https://www.evchargecable.co.uk/blogs/guides) for more EV charging advice, or visit our [Type 2 cable range](https://www.evchargecable.co.uk/collections/type-2-charging-cables) if you need a cable to carry with you for slower AC public chargers. --- Canonical version: https://www.evchargecable.co.uk/blogs/guides/what-is-contactless-ev-charging EV Charge Cables, EV charging cables matched to your car: https://www.evchargecable.co.uk. Some links in this article are Amazon affiliate links; as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.