Germany: Aral expands payment options at EV stations

Customers will now have more options to pay when they recharge their vehicle throughout the Aral Pulse ultra-fast charging network.

Aral will now offer contactless and direct payment options throughout its network of EV chargers. In addition to apps, the charging card, PayPal, ApplePay and the eshop, which can be accessed via QR code, direct card payment is now also available - whether by debit or credit card, smartphone or smartwatch.

"The direct payment options offer EV drivers more flexibility and easier access to our rapidly growing charging network - without an app or charging card. This is how we make charging even easier and increase customer satisfaction in the long term," says Alexander Junge, Member of the Aral Executive Board and responsible for the Electromobility business unit.

The payment process is simple: charging can start and be paid for by using a bank card, smartphone or smartwatch - all without registration, membership or providing personal data. Aral is introducing the new payment option about a year earlier than required by the new charging station ordinance. The latter does not foresee the integration of card payments at e-charging stations until July 2023.

"Our goal is to accelerate the ramp-up of e-mobility and make the switch to an e-car sustainably attractive. A fast, simple and practical charging infrastructure plays a decisive role here - including modern digital payment methods. We are now completing this with established and familiar payment systems," adds Junge.

To celebrate this milestone, Aral Pulse, together with Visa, is now offering all EV drivers ten percent cashback on their e-charges until 11 September 2022. The prerequisite for this is a minimum charge of ten euros and the use of a Visa debit or credit card as well as registration on the brand’s website.