How to CHARGE NOW

Download our app and activate your personal charging card to get the most out of Charge Now.

Get Started with CHARGE NOW

Join CHARGE NOW

If you want to enjoy our service without any restrictions, open an account with CHARGE NOW.

  1. Register to create an account with us
  2. Provide your vehicle model (optional)
  3. Select your tariff
  4. Enter your basic information
  5. Choose your preferred method of payment

Once you have fully registered, you will receive your starter package including your personal CHARGE NOW charging card by mail. If you already have a charging card, please activate it by entering your card number during the registration.

Download the CHARGE NOW app

Start charging right away with the CHARGE NOW app.

  • Search for charging stations
  • Check the availability of plug types
  • Plan your next route
  • View your invoices and charging sessions

Activate your charging card

You've already received your personal charging card? Great, here's how to activate your card.

1

Log in to your account

Activate your charging card by logging in to the CHARGE NOW website or app.

2

Enter your card number

In the contract overview in your user account, click on the “Activate card” button. Enter your personal card number which is found on the back of your charging card.

3

Activation in progress

Please note that there may be limitations within the first 24 hours after the charging card is activated. After that you will be able to use your CHARGE NOW card without restrictions.

Enjoy CHARGE NOW

Find the right charge point

Use the CHARGE NOW map to find charging stations around you or near your destination. Filters help you to search for plug types, charging speed, and availability. Additionally, you can view and write user ratings to share your experiences with others. Connected navigation allows you to get going without delay.

Start Charging

CHARGE NOW offers maximum flexibility to start your next charging session. No matter if you use the card or the app, all of your charging activities will be displayed in your account.

Charging with your card

Hold your charging card in front of the card reader for authentication and to start the charging session. To end the charging session, repeat the step by briefly holding your charging card in front of the reader again.

App

There are two ways to start and stop a charging session.
App: Select the charge point in the app where your vehicle is plugged-in and simply click on the "Start and pay" button.
QR Code Scanner: Scan the QR-code at the charging station with the scanner in the app.
In both cases, you can end the charging process via the app as well.

One invoice

You will receive an invoice for all charging sessions at the end of each month. Additionally, you can access a comprehensive overview of each individual charging process in your user account.

Learn more about EV charging

An electric car’s cockpit display shows the battery's state of charge

Duration

The duration of a charging process depends on various factors: the battery capacity and level, the vehicle’s maximum charging speed, and the charging station’s speed and capacity. Electric vehicles can be charged with the following:

Alternating current (AC), which offers a maximum power of 43 kW.

Direct current (DC), also known as fast charging, which starts at 50 kW.

High Power Charging (HPC) is the next-generation charging technology and starts at 100 kW.

A person plugs a charging plug into an electric car to start a charging event

Plug types

Your CHARGE NOW app shows which charge points have the right plug for your vehicle.

At AC stations, type-2 plugs are the most common, but some have type-1 plugs as well. DC stations have either CCS or CHAdeMO plugs; European car manufacturers use the CCS standard.

Find charging stations in the CHARGE NOW app

Charge points

The public charging infrastructure in Europe is growing steadily. All major highways are now equipped with fast charging stations. There’s also a growing number of stations in urban centres. With CHARGE NOW, you can charge conveniently at home, on the road, and abroad. Check our map to see all of the charge points in our network.

Woman stands next to an electric vehicle, looking at the CHARGE NOW app.

Charging your vehicle

When you reach the charging station, you usually need to authenticate yourself with your charging card. This unlocks the charging sockets. You can then plug the cable into your car. In some cases, the cables are not locked and you can plug them in before authentication. Once the charging cable is plugged in, it’s locked securely on both ends before the charging starts. It stays locked until the charging process is terminated. To complete the charging process and unplug the charging cable, the charging card must be re-read. At some charging stations, you can simply unlock your vehicle to disconnect the cable.

Woman finds out about charging costs in the CHARGE NOW app on her tablet

Costs and tariffs

Your tariff offers either flexible or fixed charging prices.

Flexible price: The charging prices are set by the respective charge point operator. Prices can vary depending on the operator you charge at. Before charging your vehicle, check up-to-date prices in the CHARGE NOW app – or visit our tariff page and map.

Fixed price: Uniform prices apply across all charging stations. Please note there may be exceptions for some charge point operators.

Charging costs abroad may differ. Always check the app for prices in different countries. Depending on your tariff, additional fixed costs such as a one-time registration fee and a monthly base fee may apply.

Join today and charge your electric vehicle anywhere, anytime

Get started