Why Does Installing a Public EV Charging Payment System Still Feel Like a Gamble?

Over a year after the Public Charge Point Regulations 2023 came into force, the experience at many public EV chargers still falls short of what drivers expect and deserve.

A recent panel discussion on the eFIXX channel put it plainly: non-compliance is rarely a technology problem. It is a mix of grey areas in the guidance, inconsistent implementation, and enforcement that has not yet landed a meaningful fine. Some operators are banking on "nobody checking." But as the panel warned, that approach ends badly, because retrofitting later costs far more than getting it right the first time.

The rule most sites are still breaking

The standard drivers expect is the same one they have had at petrol stations for decades: tap a card or phone, see the price clearly, start the session, and get help if something goes wrong. When that experience is absent or confusing, trust evaporates quickly.

Where a standalone payment kiosk changes things

For many existing sites, the practical answer is not replacing the charger. It is adding a dedicated payment point that handles compliance without redesigning the whole installation.

A well-positioned kiosk can serve several chargers at once, carry a clear screen for pricing and session confirmation, support tap-to-pay from the first moment, and be properly signposted so drivers actually use it. That last point matters more than it sounds. The panel noted that some sites technically install a terminal, then place it far away and leave it unsigned, hoping drivers default to the app instead.

Accessibility isn't optional either

Compliance does not stop at payment method. Under PAS 1899:2022, interactive elements on payment terminals should sit within 800 to 1200 mm from the user access level, with the terminal bottom edge between 800 and 1000 mm, ensuring wheelchair users and people with limited reach can use the point independently.

The Charge-M8 Sigma is built to these specifications: a 1050 mm installation height, support for most major payment terminals, a built-in power supply, a hi-gain 4G antenna, and a discreet anti-vandal housing that suits both new installs and retrofits.

A real-world example worth noting

A recent installation by Self Service Technology Ltd demonstrates exactly how straightforward this process can be. Two Ratio EV AC chargers were monetised using their EVCloudPay solution, mounted on the Charge-M8 Sigma Wallbox and connected to Fuuse. Payment was up and running within ten minutes, with zero back-and-forth communication required. The terminal auto-configured over the air with full branding and consumer messaging customised to the client. It is a clean illustration of what compliant, retrofit-friendly EV payment looks like when the right components work together.

The bigger picture

The regulations are there. The technology exists. What has been missing is consistent execution, along with the quiet pressure of knowing enforcement will eventually follow. The panel's closing thought is hard to argue with: at some point, somebody will get a significant fine, and that is usually when the industry catches up fast.

If you are planning a new install or reviewing an existing site, it is worth getting this right now rather than paying twice later.

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