Embedded Payment at the Charging Station

Frau beim Laden ihres EVs

How CPOs Turn Payment into a Profitable Business Model

The EV charging market is evolving rapidly.

With relatively new regulations such as the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR), increasing competition, and rising user expectations, Charging Point Operators (CPOs) are under pressure to rethink their infrastructure.

One key element is often underestimated: payment.

What used to be a technical necessity is now becoming a strategic lever for growth.

From Obligation to Opportunity

AFIR introduces clear requirements for user-friendly, ad-hoc payment — including the ability to pay directly at the charging station without prior registration.

This fundamentally changes the role of payment.

It is no longer just about enabling transactions.
It is about shaping the entire charging experience.

For CPOs, this creates an opportunity to move beyond compliance and turn payment into a value-generating component.

What Embedded Payment Really Means

Embedded payment integrates payment directly into the charging process — seamlessly and invisibly.

This includes:

  • Direct card and contactless payment at the charger
  • No dependency on apps or contracts
  • Integrated handling of fiscal and invoicing requirements
  • A consistent experience across locations and markets

In this model, payment is no longer external — it is embedded into the product itself.

The Business Impact

Better Customer Experience

Users expect charging to be as simple as any other daily transaction — fast, intuitive, and reliable.

Reduced Complexity

Instead of managing multiple systems, embedded payment allows for a centralized and standardized setup.

Compliance by Design

Payment is closely linked to fiscalization, invoicing, and reporting.

An embedded approach ensures these processes are handled automatically in the background.Komplexität über Märkte hinweg managenEin Embedded-Ansatz stellt sicher, dass diese Prozesse automatisch im Hintergrund abgewickelt werden.

Managing Complexity Across Markets

While AFIR provides a European framework, local tax requirements still vary significantly.

CPOs operating internationally must deal with:

  • Country-specific fiscal regulations
  • Different e-invoicing standards
  • Local reporting obligations

This makes scalability a challenge.

Embedded payment solutions address this by enabling one integration that adapts to multiple markets — without increasing operational effort.

Payment as a Competitive Advantage

CPOs that rethink payment as part of their core offering gain a clear advantage:

  • Faster market expansion
  • Lower operational overhead
  • Improved user satisfaction
  • Higher revenue potential per charging point

In an increasingly competitive market, this shift can be decisive.

Conclusion

Payment is no longer just a backend function.

It is a critical part of the charging experience — and a driver of business success.

Embedded payment enables CPOs to:

  • Simplify operations
  • Ensure compliance
  • Improve user experience
  • Scale across markets

Because in the end, e-mobility is not just about charging.

It’s about charging — and paying — without friction.

SIMPLY FLEXIBLE

Our solution is particularly flexible and supports both the direct integration of a terminal into a charging station and a decentralized kiosk for operating several charging stations. You can therefore design your charging park entirely according to your wishes. Our Direct Payment works independently of your charging station management system (CPMS) and allows you to integrate various charging station manufacturers into your portfolio, while you only need one payment software.

SIMPLY TRANSPARENT

Our software offers transparent prices and enables quick and easy integration. We think outside the box and therefore support numerous protocols. Direct contracts with acquirers mean there are no hidden costs for CPOs. This enables attractive pricing for the end user. The existing CPMS remains usable, even in the event of future changes. Our solution guarantees even more future security, as it can continue to be used in the event of a backend change.

SIMPLY LEGALLY COMPLIANT

Our payment solutions are legally compliant and take account of national tax laws - including AFIR, of course. Read more about AFIR here Our solutions are already being used successfully for charging parks in various countries. Thanks to our sister company RetailForce, we offer in-house expertise in tax-compliant document creation that has proven itself in practice. Our solution is internationally scalable and enables simple payment with innovative payment methods.

SIMPLY INDIVIDUAL

With more than two decades of experience, we are true payment experts. Our payment solution is already in daily use in many countries. This means that it is not only mature and proven, but also ready to use. During the payment process, your customers can use a QR code to transfer their receipt to their mobile phone.

SIMPLY PROVEN IN PRACTISE

With more than two decades of experience, we are true payment experts. Our payment solution is already in daily use in many countries. This means that it is not only mature and proven, but also ready to use. During the payment process, your customers can use a QR code to transfer their receipt to their mobile phone.