Charge card & roaming
The card or app that unlocks public charge points; roaming lets one card work across multiple networks.
A charge card, nowadays often an app, is the access means by which an EV driver unlocks a public charge point and settles the charging session. Each charge point belongs to an operator; the charge card is issued by a service provider that has agreements with those operators. Without a valid card or app a public post usually does not start.
Roaming is the arrangement by which one charge card also works on the networks of other operators, comparable to calling on a foreign mobile network. As a result you do not need a separate card for each network. The tariff you pay is determined by the combination of charge-card provider and the network where you charge, and can differ per post; alongside the kWh price some providers also charge start fees or surcharges.
On this site we explain charge card and roaming solely as a concept. We do not compare subscriptions or tariffs, do not act as intermediary and do not recommend any provider. Which card and tariff suit your situation depends on your driving behaviour and the networks on your route; that falls outside our scope.
See also: CCS (Combined Charging System), Type 2 (Mennekes), Charging power (AC/DC), 10-80% charging time
Source: Concept explanation (charging infrastructure); tariffs provider- and network-dependent, no recommendation
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