Sonol EVI is set to become the first major vehicle charging company in Israel to allow credit card payments at its fast-charging stations — with no need for registration, identification, an app, or a chip.
Payment will be made by tapping a credit card on a scanner located near the station. After that, the user will be able to choose the charging socket and immediately begin charging. This will enable payment by either card or mobile payment apps.
Until now, major charging companies have required users to download their app and register, or to purchase a chip that allows tap-to-pay. This system has made it difficult for occasional users and has forced EV drivers to install multiple apps to avoid getting stuck on the road.
The service began as a pilot at Sonol’s charging stations in Sharon Junction Netanya, Ariel, and Ilush Herzliya. It is now being officially launched, with plans to expand to dozens of additional charging stations across the country, adding three new stations to the program each week.
Initially, the service will be available at fast and ultra-fast charging stations, focusing on strategic locations such as malls, commercial centers, Sonol gas stations, and major municipalities including Jerusalem, Rishon LeZion, Shoham, and more. A decision on whether to enable credit card payments at the company’s slower charging stations will be made later, based on the usage rate of credit card payments at the fast-charging locations.
According to Sonol EVI’s announcements, the company currently operates over 1,700 public charging sockets, including more than 200 fast and ultra-fast sockets, in addition to thousands of private and corporate charging stations.