Most Canadian public chargers accept either a network app or account (often via an RFID card) or a direct credit card tap, and increasingly both. Which one is most convenient depends on how often you use a given network, occasional users often prefer tapping a card, regular users usually save money with an app-based membership.
The two main ways to pay
| Method | How it works |
|---|---|
| Network app or account | Download the network’s app (FLO, Petro-Canada, Electrify Canada, Ivy, ChargePoint, and others), add a payment method, and either tap your phone or an RFID card at the charger to start |
| Direct credit card tap | An increasing number of stations, including Petro-Canada’s network, accept contactless credit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay directly at the charger, no account needed, similar to tapping to pay at a gas pump |
Canada’s major networks and how each one works
What actually works best
Most Canadian charging networks have roaming agreements allowing an account from one network to work at another’s stations, so you don’t always need a separate account for every network you might encounter. For most drivers, signing up for one or two major networks you use regularly, and keeping a credit card handy for the rest, covers the large majority of Canada’s public charging infrastructure without needing an account for every single provider.
💡 Tip: Download whichever apps cover your regular routes before you need them, not while standing at an unfamiliar charger. Account creation and payment setup take a few minutes and are much easier done ahead of time.
⚠️ Note: A few networks, like Electrify Canada, don’t accept other networks’ RFID cards or apps at all. Keep a credit card as a reliable fallback regardless of which network accounts you carry.