PlugLink Launches 'TapCharge' for One-Tap EV Charging

Opening a new horizon for EV charging: Pluglink launches 'Tap Charging' service An era has begun where electric vehicle charging starts with a simple tap of a smartphone, smartwatch, or even a physical public transport card. Pluglink, an EV charging platform operator (CPO), has officially launched its innovative 'Tap Charging' service, maximizing user convenience and elevating the EV charging experience to the next level. From its early days, Pluglink has aimed for customer-centric services. It proactively introduced a QR authentication method instead of cumbersome membership card issuance, and consistently invested in enhancing user experience (UX), for example, by being the first slow charger operator to introduce 'Plug & Charge (PnC)' service based on patented Bluetooth technology. The fruit of these efforts is the new 'Tap Charging' service, which is evaluated as reaching the pinnacle of convenient payment and usage experience. The core of 'Tap Charging' lies in 'simplicity' and 'benefit retention'. Users only need to register their frequently used smartphone or physical public transport card to the Pluglink app just once. Thereafter, charging begins immediately upon tapping the registered device or card on the charger. What's noteworthy is the payment method. While tap authentication utilizes a public transport card, the actual payment is automatically processed using the user's credit/debit card pre-registered in the app. This is Pluglink's clever solution that provides ultimate convenience while retaining existing credit card company discounts and reward benefits. Pluglink is rapidly expanding its charging infrastructure accessibility, having acquired Hanwha Solutions' charging division last May. The 'Tap Charging' service is expected to significantly increase convenience without a learning curve, by allowing customers who are accustomed to charging services where membership card issuance was the default, to easily complete charging and payment with a familiar 'tap' action. Kang In-chul, CEO of Pluglink, emphasized, "'Tap Charging' is a technology that provides an easier and more convenient charging experience for users with a single, already familiar action." He stated that Pluglink would continue to advance user-centric IT technology and experience to provide seamless usability not only for Pluglink customers but also for customers using other companies' charging services. Furthermore, he presented a vision to lead innovation in daily charging infrastructure by stably integrating chargers from various manufacturers into Pluglink's solution, making it clear that Pluglink is a key player in driving changes in the future mobility environment.