Network connection issues can significantly affect electric vehicle (EV) charging payments in several ways:
- Failed Charging Initiation: If a charging station loses network connectivity, it may fail to authenticate the user or process payments. This can prevent the charging session from starting even if payment is attempted, resulting in wasted time and inconvenience for the driver.
- Payment Processing Issues: Inoperable payment systems due to poor connectivity can lead to failed transactions. Users may encounter issues with card readers, apps, or other payment methods that rely on a stable network connection to function correctly.
- Inability to Validate Payments: Poor connectivity can hinder the validation process for transactions, which may cause the charging station to reject payments or fail to confirm successful payments. This can lead to situations where the driver pays for a service they didn’t receive.
- Default to Free Charging: As a best practice, some charging networks like Electrify America default to free charging if they lose connectivity to avoid inconvenience, which, while helpful, still disrupts normal payment operations.
To overcome these challenges, ensuring reliable network connectivity is crucial. Solutions may include using hard-wired connections, though this can be more expensive, or developing systems that handle temporary connectivity losses gracefully.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/how-do-network-connection-issues-affect-ev-charging-payments/
