A recharge card, also known as a badge or pass, is a tool used to access public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across Europe. These cards use RFID technology, which involves a contactless chip that holds a unique identifier. When placed near a charging station's reader, the chip is scanned, and the station checks with the operator's server to confirm the user's account and unlock the charging socket. Some stations also support mobile apps as an alternative to the physical card, allowing smartphones to replace the RFID chip. However, in areas without internet access, the physical badge remains more reliable since it doesn’t rely on a network connection. Since April 2024, the European AFIR regulation has required new charging stations to accept direct payment methods, such as credit cards or secure web payments, making recharge cards optional. Despite this, recharge badges still offer benefits, such as centralized billing and negotiated rates on certain networks. The cost of a charging session varies depending on the operator and the charging station, with three main pricing models in use: session pricing, duration pricing, and kilowattheure (kWh) pricing. The kWh model is seen as the most transparent for users, as it directly reflects the amount of energy consumed. Payment methods differ across stations, with some offering remote payment through a QR code displayed on the charging unit, which opens a payment page on the user's smartphone. Price differences can be significant depending on the access method. For example, on the Simone network in the Bouches-du-Rhône region of France, an annual subscription costs 12 € and offers a rate of 0.40 to 0.48 € per kWh, while the price rises to 0.52 € per kWh without a subscription. In the EV charging ecosystem, operators issue the recharge cards and handle billing, while networks are the physical infrastructure of the charging stations. In France, notable operators include Chargemap, Shell Recharge (formerly NewMotion), Izivia (part of the EDF group), and Electra, a network of fast and ultra-fast charging stations. Some cards, like the Chargemap Pass, provide access to thousands of charging stations across Europe. This RFID badge gives access to over 950,000 charging points without requiring an obligatory subscription, and an optional subscription, Chargemap Boost, removes service fees. Izivia and Fulli follow a similar approach, offering a single account that covers several partner networks. A multi-network card is especially useful for long-distance trips across multiple countries, as it eliminates the need for multiple accounts. However, users should always check the network coverage before a long trip, as the application will show compatible stations along the route. The usage price includes both the cost of the badge and the energy, with some operators adding a monthly subscription. For example, Electra offers a subscription that can reduce the price per kWh by up to 0.20 € at each recharge. The benefits of a recharge card include simplicity, wide coverage, and real-time tracking of consumption and cost. However, there are also limitations, such as potential cumulative costs from multiple subscriptions, limited international coverage, and possible itinerary commissions on third-party networks. Getting a badge involves registration, ordering, and activation, with the card usually arriving by mail within a few days. Tesla’s supercharger network does not require a badge, as vehicles like the Model 3, Model Y, Model S, and Model X identify themselves upon connection, with billing handled through the Tesla customer account. Tesla also offers the MultiPass service in Europe, allowing access to over a thousand third-party networks through the Tesla account.