What to know about RFID cards and EV charging

Sometimes referred to as ‘EV charge cards’, we share a quick introduction to one of the most important charging accessories

As electric vehicles (EVs) have continued to gain popularity, more and more drivers are switching from traditional fuel vehicles to EVs. If you're switching to an EV, you might be concerned about how you charge on the go, and be eager to understand if you can use a normal debit or credit card—or if you need a specific charging card. This is where RFID cards come in.

What is RFID?

RFID stands for radio frequency identification. It is a form of wireless communication that can be used to identify a unique object by leveraging the radio frequency range of the electromagnetic spectrum. RFID technology allows digital data encoded in an RFID card to be captured by a reader. This is similar to the technology used in bar codes, except RFID data can be read without needing an optical scanner.

What is an RFID card?

While RFID can have multiple applications, when it comes to EV charging, RFID cards are used to make it easy to pay for charging at charging points. An RFID card lets you start a charge at a public charging point by tapping your card against a reader. The card contains unique data that is transmitted to the charging station, allowing it to identify the user and initiate the charging process.

When you download the bp pulse app you’ll receive your choice of a bp pulse card or key fob. Both are a type of RFID card, and let you start and end a charge on one of our public charging points with a simple tap.

Do I need to use an RFID to charge my EV with bp pulse?

When you charge your EV with bp pulse, you may receive an RFID enabled bp pulse card if:

• If you're using our public charging network and want a bp pulse RFID card, you can order one through the bp pulse app. Just go to Account > Key Fobs > Order. The card costs $5 and will be sent to your chosen address.

• You’re part of a fleet using bp’s Fuel & Charge Card

• You can also request an RFID card via the bp pulse app for Pay as you go

What is public EV charging?

At bp pulse, we’re building a network of public EV chargers can help to keep you moving as you travel around Australia. Looking for a charger? Download the bp pulse app, or visit our live map, to search for available charging points near you, and filter by factors including charger speed. Our app also lets you save your favourite EV charging points so that you can easily locate them the next time you charge.

What is a Fuel & Charge Card?

For fleets, bp offers the Fuel & Charge Card—a single, convenient card, which connects your fleet to a network of thousands of bp and partner petrol stations across Australia and features an RFID chip to provide access to EV charging via the bp pulse on-the-go network. This option is ideal for businesses that want the option to connect to charging networks and fuel stations while on the go.

Are there benefits of charging with an RFID card?

Using RFID can be convenient – allowing you to quickly tap the reader on an EV charging point to start and end a charging session. An RFID card can be stored with other payment cards, as a dedicated way to pay for EV charging, so it’s with you whenever you’re on the move.

Because an RFID card contains unique information, it can also be linked to a user account. This can allow users to monitor and track transaction history through a centralised platform. For example, if you use a bp pulse card to our public EV charging network, all of your transactions will appear in the bp pulse app – making it easy to keep track of your charging sessions and spend. If you're a fleet driver, you won’t need a bp pulse RFID card. Instead, you’ll use a bp plus Fuel & Charge card. This card allows for streamlined charging and fuel payments across your fleet, helping your business manage costs and usage more efficiently.

With bp pulse RFID cards can be a convenient and easy way to access EV charging—eliminating the need to carry cash or search for a credit card to pay for charging, to keep you journey ready.¹