Ad hoc charging or fleet charging card: what suits your fleet?
Ad hoc charging by credit or debit card is mandatory at new public charge points in the EU, and from 2027 also at older fast chargers of 50 kW or more along the trans-European TEN-T road network. For fleets it still does not replace the charging card: every ad hoc payment creates a single receipt on a card that is not automatically linked to a vehicle or cost centre. As a backup, however, ad hoc charging is very useful.
The EU Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) has made paying at the charger much simpler. Many fleet managers therefore ask: do we still need charging cards? Here is the answer.
What is ad hoc charging?
Ad hoc charging means charging without a contract with a card or app provider. You pay directly at the charger, for example by credit or debit card, contactless or via QR code. The alternative is contract-based charging with a card or app, where sessions are billed together.
What does AFIR require for payment?
Article 5 of Regulation (EU) 2023/1804 sets these payment rules (overviews also from Germany's National Centre for Charging Infrastructure and the Federal Network Agency):
Charge point | Payment requirement | From |
|---|---|---|
Public, newly built, 50 kW or more | card reader or contactless card function | 13 April 2024 |
Public, newly built, under 50 kW | internet-based options such as static QR code also allowed | 13 April 2024 |
Public, built before 13 April 2024, 50 kW or more, along the TEN-T road network or in safe and secure parking areas | retrofit with card reader or contactless function | 1 January 2027 |
According to the Centre, there is generally no PIN pad requirement, as payment cards may also be stored on a phone. Operators of chargers of 50 kW or more must also display the ad hoc price per kWh at the station. Price differences between ad hoc and contract charging are allowed if proportionate and objectively justified.
Why is ad hoc charging not enough for fleets?
For private drivers ad hoc charging is convenient. In a fleet, it creates admin costs:
Single receipts: every session creates its own receipt to submit, check and book.
Private cards: drivers using their own card pre-finance costs and file expenses.
No assignment: a card statement shows the amount, but not vehicle, kWh and cost centre.
No overview: charging behaviour and cost per vehicle are hard to analyse.
Company credit cards: limits are controlled, but there is no charging data.
With a company charging card, all sessions go onto one monthly invoice with session details. See business charging cards.
Comparison: ad hoc charging vs company charging card
Criterion | Ad hoc by card | Company charging card |
|---|---|---|
Contract needed | no | yes, with the provider |
Billing | one receipt per session | monthly consolidated invoice |
Assignment to vehicle/cost centre | manual | can be automated |
Price info before charging | at the charger (mandatory from 50 kW) | in the provider's app |
Reporting | hardly possible | reports and exports |
Role in the fleet | backup | standard |
When does ad hoc charging make sense?
Ad hoc charging is a good fallback when the card has been forgotten, does not work at a charger or a charge point is outside the provider's network. Set out in your policy what drivers do in this case: which card to use, how to submit the receipt and by when. According to the BMF circular of 11 November 2025, costs for third-party electricity such as public charging can be reimbursed in addition for company cars based on receipts.
If a charging card does not work, see our article charging card not working. For private drivers we have also explained how to charge without an app using a bank card.
How to combine both in your fleet
Standard: company charging card for all public sessions
Fallback: ad hoc with company or private card only in exceptions
Rule: submit receipt within a deadline, with number plate and date
Control: check the ad hoc share monthly; if it rises, find the cause
Network check: if frequently used chargers are missing, review tariff or provider
What should your driver charging instructions say?
To keep ad hoc charging the exception, drivers need clear, short instructions that answer what matters day to day:
What do I charge with by default? The company charging card or the provider's app.
What if the card does not work? Try another charger at the site, then pay ad hoc.
Which card do I use ad hoc? The card defined by the company, otherwise a private card with reimbursement.
How do I submit the receipt? With date, location, number plate and amount within the agreed deadline.
What about the price? Check the displayed price before starting.
At chargers of 50 kW or more, operators must display the ad hoc price per kWh at the station. For slower chargers, price information must also be clear and easy to access. This lets drivers decide before charging whether switching to another charger is worthwhile.
Also check regularly where drivers had to pay ad hoc. If certain charging hubs keep appearing, review your card provider's network or alternative charging locations along the route.
How StromNow simplifies charging on the road
With StromNow Public Charging your drivers charge by card or app at more than 1.2 million charge points in 32 countries. The Driver App shows current prices and availability before charging, and the route planner suggests suitable stops. All sessions go onto one monthly invoice and can be assigned to drivers, vehicles and cost centres.
Charging on the road without receipt chaos – book a demo
Sources and further information
As of 20 October 2026. General information, not legal advice. The cover image is an AI-generated illustrative image.
National Centre for Charging Infrastructure: AFIR (German)
Regulation (EU) 2023/1804 (AFIR) on EUR-Lex
Federal Network Agency: e-mobility FAQ (German)
Frequently asked questions about ad hoc charging and charging cards
What is ad hoc charging?
Charging without a contract with a card or app provider. You pay directly at the charger, for example by credit or debit card, contactless or QR code.
Must every charger accept card payment?
Public charge points built since 13 April 2024 must allow ad hoc charging. From 50 kW, a card reader or contactless function is required. From 1 January 2027 this also applies to older public chargers of 50 kW or more along the TEN-T road network or in safe and secure parking areas.
Do fleets still need a charging card despite AFIR?
Usually yes. Ad hoc charging creates single receipts without automatic assignment to vehicle and cost centre. A company charging card bundles everything onto one invoice.
Is ad hoc charging more expensive than using a card?
It depends on operator and tariff. AFIR allows price differences if they are proportionate and objectively justified. Compare prices before charging.
Can ad hoc charging costs for company cars be reimbursed?
According to the BMF circular, costs for third-party electricity such as public charging can be reimbursed in addition for company cars based on receipts.