South Africa’s electric vehicle market is expanding rapidly, and with it comes the need for seamless, efficient payment solutions at charging stations. EFT Corporation, in partnership with Rubicon, Visa, and Verifone, is leading this transformation by deploying a cloud-based, open-loop payment system for EV charging stations. This innovation eliminates the need for pre-funded wallets and special cards, allowing users to pay with major credit cards for the first time.
The proof-of-concept phase has already launched at select sites in Johannesburg and Cape Town, setting the stage for a nationwide rollout. Previously, closed-loop systems created unnecessary barriers, requiring users to set up accounts and preload funds before accessing charging services. This not only added extra steps to the process but also limited interoperability across different charging stations. The new system simplifies transactions, making EV charging more accessible and convenient.
EFT Corporation has integrated its payment platform with Verifone’s UX700 unattended payment device, enabling real-time, cloud-based remote control of payment terminals. This eliminates the need for physical computers at each charging station, addressing concerns such as theft, power management, and maintenance. Now, customers can simply tap their contactless cards to pay, aligning with the growing preference for seamless digital transactions in South Africa.
Visa’s Senior Director for Digital Solutions in Sub-Saharan Africa, Vahini Jaganath, highlights the importance of this shift, noting that with over 60% of transactions in South Africa now contactless, enabling open-loop payments at public EV charging stations removes a major barrier to EV adoption. By allowing any driver to use any public charging station without requiring an account or membership, the new system promotes greater accessibility and encourages the transition to sustainable mobility.
This project also marks the first implementation of incremental pre-authorisation for dynamic, consumption-based billing in South Africa. Paul Carter-Brown, CTO at EFTCorp, explains how various complex technologies were integrated to streamline the payment process. From remote terminal control to real-time transaction adjustments, every component of this solution was designed to enhance the user experience while maintaining security and efficiency.
The introduction of an open-loop payment system is a major advancement for the EV sector in South Africa. Hilton Musk, E-Mobility Project Manager at Rubicon, emphasizes that while the back-end implementation was complex, the outcome is a significantly simplified experience for users. As EV adoption grows, ensuring frictionless payment solutions will be key to driving sustainable mobility. This collaboration between EFT Corporation, Rubicon, Visa, and Verifone is setting a new benchmark for innovation in digital payments and electric vehicle infrastructure.
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