What’s the Best EV Charging Card? Our Complete Guide

The growing number of public charging stations is transforming EV usage in France. But which card should you choose among all the available options? From Chargemap Pass to Shell Recharge and Electra+, this comparison guide helps you select the best card based on your usage profile, charging needs, and budget.

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Why use a charging card for your EV?

Charging cards are essential tools for easy access to public charging stations across France and Europe. Despite the rise of mobile apps, RFID badges offer several advantages:

Instant access to stations without an app
Preferential rates negotiated with network operators
Guaranteed operation without mobile signal
Detailed tracking of electricity consumption in kWh

Many stations—especially on highways and private networks—still require a specific badge to activate the charger. Negotiated rates can save up to 30% per kWh, quickly offsetting the card’s cost. Monthly subscriptions, when available, offer even better rates on networks like Ionity or ultra-fast stations.

Comparison table of the best EV charging cards

Card	Badge Price	Subscription	kWh Rate	Stations France/Europe	Compatible Networks
Chargemap Pass	€19.90	Free	€0.45–0.90/kWh	650,000 stations	800 networks in Europe
Electra+	Free (app)	€4.99–19.99/month	€0.29–0.39/kWh	500+ stations	Electra network
Shell Recharge	Free badge	No subscription	€0.36/kWh Ionity	Multiple stations	Ionity, Total, others
Freshmile	€4.99	Free	€0.39–0.65/kWh	Local stations	Public networks
Plugsurfing	€9.95	Free	€0.40–0.79/kWh	200,000 stations	Europe, Tesla
Izivia Pass	€15	Optional €2/month	€0.30–0.60/kWh	250,000 stations	EDF networks

User profiles and recommended cards

Urban drivers: best card for city charging

For daily city charging, choose Chargemap Pass or Freshmile. These cards offer access to municipal, parking, and urban stations without monthly fees. Rates are competitive on AC chargers, which dominate urban areas. Charging power is sufficient for city use.

Chargemap’s app shows real-time station availability, pricing, and practical info. Urban network coverage is excellent in France, including shopping centers and public parking.

Frequent drivers: highway charging solutions

Accessing ultra-fast highway stations requires specialized cards. Electra+ with its premium subscription offers the best rate at €0.29/kWh on 400kW stations—ideal for compatible EVs.

Shell Recharge offers good conditions on Ionity and TotalEnergies highway stations. With no mandatory subscription, it provides negotiated rates across major fast-charging networks in France and Europe. Its route planner simplifies long trips.

European travelers: one card for all of Europe

Chargemap Pass is the top choice with coverage across 800 networks in Europe. From France to Norway, one card gives access to 650,000 stations. The multilingual app shows real-time prices and lets you filter by power, availability, and compatibility.

Plugsurfing is a free alternative for occasional European travel. It works with many networks and some Tesla Superchargers open to non-Tesla vehicles.

Occasional users: charging without commitment

Drivers who use their EV occasionally should opt for no-commitment options like Plugsurfing or the Tesla app. With no subscription or fixed fees, you only pay when you charge. These are ideal backup cards to keep in your vehicle.

How to optimize your charging costs?

Understanding charging station pricing

Networks charge by:

kWh consumed
Minutes spent charging
Or both

For fast chargers, always prefer kWh-based billing—it’s fairer based on your vehicle’s charging capacity. Rates vary by power level:

AC slow charging (home, city): €0.25–0.40/kWh
DC fast charging (50–150kW): €0.45–0.79/kWh
Ultra-fast charging (>150kW): up to €0.89/kWh

Maximizing savings

Charge up to 80% on fast stations to avoid reduced power and higher per-minute costs. Watch for promotions: free Electra+ months, Shell discounts, Chargemap cashback.

Plan charging during off-peak hours when available. Use mobile apps to find the cheapest nearby stations. Filter by price, power, and availability to optimize each session. Some cards offer loyalty programs with extra discounts based on monthly usage.

Charging card market trends

Improved network interoperability

The EU AFIR regulation requires bank card payments on all new charging stations. This simplifies access, but dedicated cards still offer better rates. Operators are forming partnerships to expand cross-network compatibility.

Integration into EVs

Automakers increasingly integrate charging management into EVs. Tesla pioneered automatic authentication at Superchargers. Mercedes, BMW, and Volkswagen now offer similar systems to activate charging from the vehicle interface—no card or app needed.

All-inclusive subscriptions are growing

Electra+ leads the way with its revolutionary monthly subscription. For €19.99/month, users get a fixed rate of €0.29/kWh across the ultra-fast Electra network—no surprises, no hidden fees.

With over 500 stations and rapid expansion, Electra+ is becoming the new benchmark for charging subscriptions in France.

Frequently asked questions

Can I charge without a card at all stations?Many stations accept bank cards or mobile apps. However, rates may vary. In some cases, this payment method is 30–50% more expensive than subscriptions or charging passes. But not always—at Electra, app or card payments are often cheaper than pass rates. Compare based on your habits and networks used.

How many cards do I need?Two to three cards cover most needs: a universal one like Chargemap for versatility, a specialized one like Electra+ or Shell for specific routes, and Plugsurfing as a free backup.

Do French cards work in Europe?Chargemap Pass and Plugsurfing offer the best European coverage. Shell Recharge works well in Germany, Netherlands, and Belgium. Always check network compatibility via apps.

Which card for plug-in hybrids?PHEVs with small batteries mostly use low-power urban AC stations. Freshmile or Chargemap are ideal for accessing suitable public chargers. Ultra-fast subscriptions like Electra+ aren’t relevant for these vehicles.

How can I track my electricity usage?All cards offer detailed tracking via app or web portal. Download monthly invoices, analyze kWh consumption, and identify your most-used stations. This helps with expense reimbursement and optimizing charging habits.

Card or subscription: make the right choice

The market is evolving toward two models: classic cards for flexibility and next-gen subscriptions for better rates. Electra+ at €0.29/kWh, Shell Recharge for highways, Chargemap Pass for Europe—each suits specific needs.

Subscriptions are especially cost-effective for heavy users: from 100 kWh/month in fast charging, savings outweigh fixed fees. No-commitment cards remain relevant for occasional or varied use.

Our recommendation?Analyze your charging habits over the past three months. If you regularly spend over €150/month on fast charging, a subscription is a must. Otherwise, a smart mix of 2–3 cards is the most flexible solution. The key is to match your choice to your actual usage.