Public charging roaming

Public charging roaming lets a driver use one app or RFID credential across chargepoints operated by more than one network. A roaming provider handles the commercial and technical connection between the driver’s account and participating chargepoint operators.

Roaming is not the same as contactless bank-card payment. Contactless is an ad-hoc payment method at a site; roaming uses an existing service relationship to authorise and settle charging across networks.

The parties in a roaming session

Several organisations can be involved:

• the chargepoint operator, which runs the physical charger
• the e-mobility service provider or roaming provider, which supplies the driver’s app, card or account
• a clearing house or direct connection, which exchanges authorisation and session data
• the site owner, which may separately control parking or access

One business can perform more than one role, but the receipt, support route and price can still differ from the brand shown on the charger.

The UK regulatory requirement

As at 22 July 2026, the Public Charge Point Regulations 2023 require operators to offer payment roaming at their paid public chargepoints by connecting to at least one external third-party roaming provider. A service must be available to consumers, including fleets; a mobile wallet such as Apple Pay or Google Pay alone does not satisfy the roaming requirement.

The same regulations require pricing for charging to be displayed in pence per kWh before a session, including relevant roaming mark-ups or fees. They also contain requirements covering contactless access at specified chargepoints, open data, rapid-network reliability and a free staffed helpline.

The rule does not mean every roaming card works at every public charger. An operator can comply through one provider while a driver uses another. Check participation before relying on a credential.

Contactless, operator account and roaming

The main payment routes are:

Route	Existing account needed	Typical use
Contactless bank card	No operator account	Ad-hoc access at an eligible site
Operator app or RFID	Yes	Direct use on one operator’s network
Roaming app or RFID	Yes	One account across participating operators
Plug & Charge	Prior compatible contract and certificate	Automatic vehicle-to-charger authentication

These routes can coexist. Contactless may be the simplest fallback, while a roaming account can consolidate receipts or provide a contracted rate.

Contactless coverage under the regulations

The regulations require contactless payment for all public chargepoints capable of 50 kW or more and for new public chargepoints capable of 8 kW or more deployed after 24 November 2024, subject to the detailed scope and site-terminal provisions.

That does not place contactless on every older low-power destination charger. It also does not guarantee that a terminal or mobile signal is working. A journey plan should keep another payment method where practical.

These thresholds and dates are stated because they define the legal scope checked at the review date. A live map is the better source for one site’s current equipment and payment status.

What roaming changes and what it does not

Roaming can provide:

• one credential across participating networks
• consolidated payment history or invoices
• app-based charger discovery and status
• fewer operator accounts

It does not guarantee:

• identical prices across operators or payment routes
• access to every charger shown on a map
• a working physical connector
• reserved availability
• mobile data at the site
• that parking or overstay charges are included

A roaming provider can display a different price from the operator’s direct account or contactless route. Read the pre-session pence-per-kWh price and any separate parking or idle terms.

How the technical connection works

Roaming platforms exchange chargepoint identity, status, authorisation, session and billing data. OCPI is one open protocol used for this exchange. A platform can also use another protocol, clearing house or direct commercial integration.

OCPP, by contrast, is commonly used between a chargepoint and its management system. A charger supporting OCPP is not automatically reachable by every consumer roaming service. The operator still needs the relevant business and platform connection.

RFID and app authorisation

An RFID card or token identifies the account; it does not normally hold the electricity or full tariff data itself. The charger or backend checks whether that identifier is authorised.

Offline authorisation may work for some stored identifiers and fail for others. An app session can fail because of the phone, mobile coverage, platform or charger connection. Keep the physical card where the provider supports one, and keep contactless as a separate fallback where available.

Do not assume that any RFID card with the same radio technology is enrolled in the network.

Plug & Charge is another layer

ISO 15118 Plug & Charge can allow a compatible vehicle and charger to exchange a contract certificate automatically. It still needs a compatible vehicle, charger, backend, certificate chain and mobility contract.

CCS connector compatibility alone does not prove that Plug & Charge or a particular contract is enabled. External identification by app, card or contactless can remain necessary.

Before starting a session

Check:

• connector type and available power appropriate to the vehicle
• live availability and physical access hours
• accepted payment or roaming provider
• displayed pence-per-kWh price
• separate parking, idle or overstay terms
• whether pre-authorisation or a temporary card hold applies
• support number shown at the site

Wait for both the vehicle and charger to confirm charging before leaving. A cable locked in place does not necessarily mean energy is flowing.

If a session or payment fails

Use the operator’s free helpline displayed at the site for real-time chargepoint assistance. Record the charger identifier, time, payment route and messages shown. Avoid repeatedly starting sessions through several apps if each may create a separate authorisation or card hold.

For a billing dispute, identify whether the operator, roaming provider, parking company or bank made the charge. A roaming provider can investigate its own transaction but may not control a site access or parking fee.

Related entries

• Public roaming via Zapmap and CharIN
• CCS rapid charging
• ISO 15118 Plug & Charge
• OCPP charger control