Mastercard and Last Mile Solutions have joined forces to establish new payment standards within Europe’s electric vehicle (EV) charging industry. The partnership aims to introduce a seamless payment gateway solution, allowing Charging Point Operators (CPOs) to integrate their existing charging stations with various payment terminal brands effortlessly.
Last Mile Solutions describes the collaboration as unifying user experiences and streamlining payment terminal integration, onboarding processes, and transaction processing for CPOs. This initiative precedes the implementation of the European AFIR regulation, set to replace Germany’s Charging Station Ordinance (LSV) in April 2024.
According to the AFIR regulation, publicly accessible recharging points deployed after April 13, 2024, must support ad hoc recharging using widely used payment instruments within the European Union. This includes electronic payments through terminals and devices capable of processing payment services, such as payment card readers, contactless-enabled devices, or internet-connected devices facilitating secure payment transactions, particularly for charging points with power output below 50 kW.
Mastercard and Visa, along with Last Mile Solutions, have actively supported the adoption of AFIR in the European charging market, aiming to simplify the charging process for EV drivers by offering interoperable and universal payment solutions.
George Simon, Executive Vice President of Market Development Europe at Mastercard, emphasized the significance of partnerships in facilitating the mass adoption of electric mobility, stating, “We are thrilled to be partnering with Last Mile Solutions. The transition to the mass adoption of electric mobility is key to building a more sustainable world.”
Eric van Voorden, Chief Executive Officer of Last Mile Solutions, highlighted the strategic importance of the collaboration, stating, “In the dynamic world of payment systems and EV charging, this strategic partnership between Mastercard and Last Mile Solutions will accelerate seamless EV adoption.”
The collaboration aims to assist Charge Point Operators in complying with AFIR regulations while allowing them to focus on their core business activities. This strategic initiative reflects a commitment to advancing a seamless transition towards electric mobility across Europe.
