Different cards (banks, building societies, etc) have different settings for when they will insist on the PIN being required for contactless if the value is below the £100 threshold. So there is a law, sod-wise, as to whether this will trip up any user.

My card tends to do this around once a month, although I've had it in the past do this twice in one month.

I've not (yet) had it for public EV charging as I don't do much of that. I've had it loads of times for things like buying the meal deal in Boots for lunch. So despite my buying that every weekday at roughly the same time for the same amount, it will still randomly ask me to use the PIN.

I passed feedback to my supplier that they could allow the customer to use their banking app, and if that is unlocked or has been in say the last 10 minutes, then the contactless card should not require the PIN. However, they said that is too complex and they won't be implementing it anytime soon.

But the short answer to your question is yes, this can and will trip up users. Many will have the option of another card, but not all. And many will not know it is the PIN requirement that is blocking the contactless from working in the first place.
It has been regulated (in England & Wales, not sure about the rest of the UK) that EV chargers must support contactless, but in creating such legislation they have not joined up all the dots so that this sort of thing doesn't trigger. Perhaps because it's on the 'too difficult' pile to get agreement from all card providers, and how do they know it's you and they're properly protecting your money?

 

This is why it's a good idea to also have a collection of EV Charge Cards and apps instead of relying solely on your credit card. Personally, I've not been caught out by my credit card needing to be inserted in a non-existent slot at an EV charger ... yet. 🤞

 

@Silverback Can I just say, that the PodPoint app will not be classed as "contactless" payment. The app should have all necessary information to process the transaction, no matter what is going on with the contactless side of things.

 

Well, Todor. That is very reassuring. Thanks for that. 👍
Silverback

 

Yes, it's quite common - as they tend to use Payter or similar terminals with no way to enter a PIN they just have to decline if the issuer has required a PIN check after x transactions. Thankfully I'm seeing more with the touchscreen to do the PIN (newer Instavolts for one) so that you can get past it.

Setting up the card in Apple Pay (or Google Pay if on Android) does away with the PIN issue. Pick the card on your phone and tap. Likewise the charging network's own app or one of the charge cards like Electroverse.

 

The contactless payment terminal, if it's not fitted with a secure PIN pad, should identify during the authorisation request the capabilities of the payment terminal.
e.g. there's no secure pin pad, no magstripe reader, no card slot, please don't ask the customer for any of these.
It's then up to the card issuer if the transaction is worthy. They may choose to ignore the requests for leniency from the payment terminal in the authorisation request, especially if the card hasn't had any explicit credentials used with it for a period of time, or a number of transactions, or a transaction value. There's good reason for this. By default, contactless payments are NOT authorised by the card holder, short of the card holder being in posession of the card.

If you have Google Pay/Samsung Pay/Apple Pay set up on your phone, and use that instead of a bank card, then the contactless transaction approval request is from the terminal is requested with flags to say the user has been biometrically checked (fingerprint or face recognition), or handset device pin unlocked recently. These transactions are far more likely to be approved than using a standalone contactless payment card that may have been lifted from someone's pocket.

 

Most chargers have an RFID option so it might be worth setting up KIa Chage Kia Charge | The charging network for your Kia | United Kingdom or Electroverse.
Kia Charge can be more expensive but at least you can get a charge when your contactless is waiting for a PIN.

 

The secret is when using any card and you have the opportunity then punch in a PIN, then when at chargers you won't get caught out. I know it's easy just to wave your car at the terminal, but do you really remember how many times you've done it. I always punch in my PIN when doing the weekly shop so I should always have enough goes to not be caught out.

 

Alternative cards are a useful backup. I have both current and joint bank account cards and a credit card which I "never" use.
Also worth mentioning that Google pay or Apple pay with your phone works like contactless but never asks for a PIN.

 

You can check your balance or even reset the PIN at a cashpoint, most services have one, that should also reset the contactless on the card.

 

The problem with Gridserve is that they don't take RFID cards, like Electroverse, and they don't have an app. So, if you don't have an alternative credit/debit card you're stuck.

 

They do take RFID cards, but for some reason, only those issued by Paua, who only issue them to business accounts (and I guess if you lease a car with Gridserve, they'll arrange a card for you)

GRIDSERVE | Paua now accepted on GRIDSERVE Electric Highway

GRIDSERVE and Paua have partnered to make it easier for Paua users to charge across the UK’s busiest roads. The partnership will provide the Paua fleets and ...

www.gridserve.com

Networks

More than 65,000 charge point connectors and more than 45 electric vehicle charging partners on the UK's largest roaming network.

www.pauatech.com