[electricdriver]

An unexpected arrival in the post this morning - a Swarco e.connect RFID card. The letter references signing up with them, with no mention of CPS. I haven't signed up with them, so presumably this is my replacement card to use with CPS chargers...not a great start in terms of clarity of communication. Anyone else...?

 

[electricdriver]

Meanwhile I signed up so E.Connect months ago now and am still waiting for a card to show up!
Did you sign up to CPS recently and the card is just incorrectly branded? Or is it completely out of the blue?

I've had a CPS card for several years - and still do. I haven't requested a change, or made any changes to my account settings, for a long time. Out of the blue. I'm guessing it's associated with CPS, but that is pure conjecture on my part...

 

[electricdriver]

Was the letter correctly addressed and in your name? No new direct debits randomly set up on your bank account?

I'd personally get in touch with Swarco and ask what's going on. In my experience they have been pretty helpful and quick to respond. At least you would then have a better understanding of why you received it - After all I had been told that existing CPS Cards would continue to work.

Yep, definitely for me. I'll get in touch and see what they have to say...

 

[electricdriver]

Yep, definitely for me. I'll get in touch and see what they have to say...

OK mystery solved - thanks for all the replies - and I'm slightly embarrassed to say that it doesn't appear to be anything to do with CPS, it's the unintended consequence of attempting to start a charge on the new MFG branded chargers at motorway (junction) services somewhere off the M6 some considerable time ago. I don't recall them saying Swarco anywhere, but apparently they are. I'm only slightly embarrassed as confusion is inevitable with so many providers wearing so many hats...and the time elapsed since that day is such that I didn't connect the two incidents!

 

[electricdriver]

I’m a bit confused. I just got in the post a SWARCO E.CONNECT RFID card, which I remember registering 2 months ago... but now I even forgot why I joined (I probably was visiting somewhere which might have needed it there) 🤦🏻😂

I did the same...nothing to do with CPS in my case, was or the MFG branded chargers going up on some motorway sites.

 

[electricdriver]

It depends on the council area you were in what price you paid.
Watch the network usage drop like a rock now, especially at destination units.

Yes - this transition to paid-for charging is interesting, isn't it? In theory it's good news, as rapids should become available for travellers who actually need them, as opposed to locals freeloading. However, does the much lower utilisation mean that the chargepoint owners will be even less inclined to pay for repairs as their revenue will drop? Or, is the whole thing rendered moot by the fact that the CPS to Swarco transition will mess things up anyway...?

 

[electricdriver]

So they want you to buy a new card unless you were a CYC customer by the looks of it.
I've just had the same email but I can login so now I have used the link to order a new card.
I also get an alert about setting up a payment method but then thanks for using Gocardless.

Update: Just noticed that they are using Gocardless after all.
We were told:
1) we could keep the old CPS car
2) new DD called Swarco e-volt would have to be set up.
So more BS from Swarco.

If I could be bothered I'd complain to TS.

I've been patient so far, but this is a shambles. As an absolute minimum, those with existing cards should get new ones with the fee waived. Hard to avoid feeling that I have been, at best, misled, and, at worst, told lies.