Which charging card should you choose for your electric vehicle?

Cards and Apps: What Are the Differences and How Do They Work?

Charging cards and apps serve complementary purposes and rely on different technologies. A card is a physical device, typically equipped with a chip or other technology, that allows for quick user identification when initiating a charge at a charging station, particularly on highways or in parking lots. The mobile app, on the other hand, centralizes these functions on a smartphone: it offers real-time visibility of available charging stations, route planning, consumption tracking, and, in some cases, integrated payment. In practice, a charging session is initiated either by simply presenting the card to the station’s reader or through the app by selecting the appropriate station and connector. The choice between these solutions depends on travel habits: a card remains particularly convenient for frequent and quick use on the go, while an app provides a more comprehensive view of your trips, expenses, and the services available on the network.

Public charging stations, networks, and roaming: how charging access is organized

Access to charging relies on an ecosystem of public charging stations spread across multiple networks (highways, shopping centers, parking lots, cities, energy cooperatives, etc.), each with its own terms of use and pricing. Without a roaming solution, drivers must manage multiple accounts and payment methods, which complicates the management of their long-distance trips. Why? Nearly 70% of charging stations do not accept credit cards. Conversely, a multi-network charging card like the one offered by Fulli allows users, through roaming agreements, to access over 525,000 charging stations in France and Europe with a single card and centralized billing. This consolidation simplifies price comparisons across networks, avoids surcharges associated with pay-as-you-go payments at certain stations, and makes it easier to manage budgets, whereas a card limited to a single operator remains better suited for local use on a preferred network but is less flexible for varied commutes or travel.

Payment options: pay-as-you-go, subscription, per-kWh or per-minute rates

The payment options for charging an electric vehicle directly impact your budget and the convenience of daily use. Pay-as-you-go is better suited for occasional use: each session is billed separately, with no commitment, but often at a higher rate and with possible connection fees. Conversely, the subscription plan is designed for drivers who charge regularly, offering access to preferential rates across many partner networks in exchange for a fixed monthly fee. Some plans are based on a price per kWh, similar to a residential electricity bill: the user pays only for the energy actually consumed, which makes it easier to compare costs across different providers and optimize charging stops. Other models use a per-minute rate, which is particularly common for fast charging: this type of billing encourages users to free up the charging station as soon as the battery level is sufficient, but can end up being more expensive if the power delivered is lower than advertised or if the vehicle charges slowly.

Usage profile: urban driving, frequent driving, occasional trips, or vacations

Your usage profile is a key factor in choosing between different charging cards. An urban driver who charges primarily at home or at work and only occasionally uses public charging stations will prefer a simple, no-commitment card with good coverage in the city and an app that allows them to quickly locate available charging stations. Conversely, a frequent driver covering many miles on the highway would be better off combining a charging card with Fulli electronic toll payment: roaming across multiple networks, centralized billing, and access to fast-charging stations at highway rest areas save time and provide better control over overall travel costs. For occasional trips or vacations, flexibility is the priority: a multi-network card covering France and Europe lets you plan charging stops in advance, avoid toll booth lines, and travel with greater peace of mind.

Vehicle type, charging capacity, and charging habits

The vehicle type, the charging power supported by the battery, and charging habits strongly influence the choice of a charging card. A recent all-electric vehicle often supports DC fast charging, which is ideal on the highway for quickly restoring range, whereas a plug-in hybrid or an older city car is limited to lower power levels, better suited for charging at home or at work. Thus, drivers who can regularly plug in their vehicle at home or at work use public charging stations mainly as a supplement, to cover weekends and vacations: a multi-network card then allows them to easily compare costs and pay only for occasional charges. Conversely, those who rely heavily on public charging stations—particularly on highways—are looking for a solution that combines access to high-power charging with roaming capabilities.

List of key selection criteria: rates, coverage areas, included services

To choose the right prepaid card, several key criteria must be considered to ensure the plan fits your travel needs and budget.

• Rates: It is important to compare not only the price of charging (per kWh, per minute, or per session), but also any fixed fees (subscription, activation fees, delivery costs for the charging device). An offer may seem attractive based on the charging price, but become less appealing if recurring fees are high or if terms vary depending on the networks used. With the Fulli Elec plan, you save money starting with your very first charge thanks to the absence of variable fees.
• Covered networks: A card’s value depends on the extent of its network, both in France and across Europe. A highly interoperable solution provides access to more fast-charging stations on highways, as well as charging points in cities and rural areas, without requiring multiple accounts. For long trips, coverage along major highways and at rest stops becomes a key factor.
• Included services: Beyond access to charging, certain services make all the difference: real-time visibility of available charging stations, cost estimates before charging, usage history, alerts when charging is complete, and integration with electronic toll collection to consolidate mobility expenses. The more integrated these services are, the easier it is to manage both daily commutes and long-distance trips.

In France and across Europe, several providers offer prepaid cards with varying levels of coverage, services, and pricing. The table below highlights the main differences between a multi-network card such as Fulli and other cards available on the market.

The Fulli charging card stands out for its multi-network approach, designed to simplify both daily commutes and long-distance trips, whereas a single-operator card is primarily suited for local use. By centralizing access to numerous charging stations in France and Europe, it reduces the need for multiple accounts and makes it easier to compare charging costs. Compared to other solutions on the market, its main advantage lies in the balance between coverage, transparent pricing, and integrated services.