Plug & pay: Siemens scales EV charging

With Electric Vehicle (EV) adoption growing, the industry needs a streamlined way for drivers to pay for charging. Siemens’ charging stations are now using Tieto Banktech’s payments technology.

EV charging payments

Simplifying payments for EV charging

Tieto Banktech’s payments technology is setting the benchmark for ease of use, accelerating EV infrastructure rollout, and enabling more EVs on Europe’s roads.

The EV charging ecosystem is a patchwork of vendors and dependencies. Facilitating a consumer payment for charging a vehicle involves the charge point operator (CPO), the vendor of the charging terminal hardware, the payment service provider (PSP), and the acquirer (i.e. the financial institution that processes the payment.)

The challenge

Simplifying a complex ecosystem

CPOs typically have agreements with specific acquirers, meaning manufacturers of EV charging stations must accommodate these preferences. The sheer number of acquirers and their different agreements with CPOs creates a complex picture. The need to account for multiple different combinations slows down large-scale rollouts of charging infrastructure.

The solution

Connecting the payment ecosystem

These challenges are now being addressed through a partnership between Tieto Banktech, Siemens (a leading manufacturer of charging stations) and payment-terminal provider Seitatech.

Tieto Banktech’s payments processing platform serves as a centralized hub that connects Siemens’ charging terminals to all major acquirers and PSPs. This reduces integration complexity, enabling a seamless payment experience for drivers and accelerating the deployment of charging infrastructure.

“Siemens recognized that it would be unsustainable to perform unique integrations for each new charging installation, so they opted to leave the payment process in our hands. By simplifying integration with a wide range of CPOs and PSPs, we’re making EV charging more convenient and helping to accelerate the industry,” explains Anders Wahlbom, Head of Sales & Marketing for Card Acquiring at Tieto Banktech.

Customer perspective

This groundbreaking payment solution represents a major leap forward in simplifying the electric vehicle charging experience. We are removing barriers and making EV charging as intuitive as fuelling up at a gas station

Lars Tveitan Østvold, Sales Manager at Siemens Smart Infrastructure E-Mobility

European rollout

Consumer and climate friendly

The solution is already live in Finland, Norway and Sweden, with plans to expand across the rest of Europe in the near future.

This aligns with EU regulations and targets aimed at promoting the development of EV charging stations. By 2026, electric charging stations with a minimum of 400 kW output must be installed every 60 km along core European routes. The power output should increase to 600 kW by 2028. For trucks and buses, charging stations will need to be installed every 120 km.

To enhance driver convenience, EU rules stipulate that payments at recharging points must be straightforward. People should be able to pay using cards or contactless devices, without requiring a subscription. By 2027, the EU aims to establish a database providing drivers with real-time information on EV charging availability, waiting times and prices. Siemens is now well positioned to support the shift.

The benefits

Efficiency across the ecosystem

The solution benefits all participants in the EV charging payments chain. CPOs have the flexibility to choose preferred acquirers and PSPs, while acquirers benefit from increased opportunities to compete for contracts. PSPs also enjoy broader market opportunities when unrestricted by acquirer preferences.

It's a cost effective and low-risk approach for Siemens, as Tieto Banktech handles maintenance and ensures operational efficiency. Using the Tieto Banktech payment infrastructure also leaves the door open for Siemens to offer additional services, such as loyalty programs or revenue-sharing models.

Expert perspective

Siemens came to us because payments are outside their core expertise and they needed a neutral partner to simplify the process. With billions of transactions flowing through our systems each year, a large share of all card transactions in the Nordics are processed by us. Tieto Banktech knows how to manage payments at scale

Patrik Kallmert, Business Manager at Tieto Banktech

Payment expertise

Supporting the rollout

Acting as impartial intermediaries, Tieto Banktech’s experts leverage their deep knowledge of the payments industry to provide guidance on the most effective approach in different markets. As Siemens continues its rollout, Tieto Banktech remains a key partner in shaping the future of EV charging.

Payment processing