What are the differences between EV charging using the app and the Bip&Go electric recharge card?
The mobile app
and the Bip&Go card are
two different ways of charging your electric vehicle.
While the mobile app allows you to find charging stations, check their availability and start a charge,
the Bip&Go recharge card offers near-universal compatibility
with the charging stations available in France and abroad, as well as total independence from your phone.
In this article, we explain the differences between these two charging methods, which are best suited to all your needs.
Key features of the app:
1. Visibility of electric charging stations and their availability
You may have already noticed, but since March 2023, you can
view all the charging stations and their availability
across France. We are gradually extending our coverage with the
addition of Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg from June 2023.
This will be a gradual expansion, so that you can get information about stations in a large area of Europe. With the addition of Benelux, you can view the availability of over 300,000 stations.
Using the application, in the “charging” section, you can find out which stations are close to your current location or to a location you're looking for. You can see at a glance which charging stations have at least one connector available (green dot) and which don't (orange dot).
If you want to find charging stations that meet specific criteria such as connector type, power, availability or type of payment accepted, simply use the filters provided!
2. Visibility of electric charging station prices
One of the benefits of the app is that
you can find out the prices charged by the electric charging station operator.
When you are logged in and you are on the detailed page of a station with all the chargers listed, all you have to do is click on one of them to see the prices. This feature makes it
easier for you to plan your journeys, and gives you complete transparency over the costs
of charging your electric vehicle.
In addition, having a clear view of prices means you can keep your charging budget under control. You can
compare the prices at different stations
and choose the one that best suits your needs and budget. Furthermore, this feature means you can avoid unpleasant surprises associated with the excessive prices of certain charging stations.
As a result, you can enjoy greater transparency and peace of mind when it comes to the costs of charging your electric vehicle.
3. Start a charge using the app
Since March 2023, it has been possible to start and stop charging using the mobile app, depending on the compatibility of the charging stations (using a dedicated filter to see only those stations that are compatible with the app or the recharge card).
Watch our step-by-step video
to find out
how to start and stop a charge using the app.
To access this service, you must be logged in to the app and have a valid electronic toll payment subscription. It is available to all private customers, whatever their type of subscription.
Key features of the recharge card:
1. Start and stop charging at almost 100% of charging stations
Although the Bip&Go app can already be used to start and stop a charge, compatibility between the app and the charging stations is not 100% available. Thanks to MIFARE® technology, one of the most reliable on the market, the recharge card makes up for this small shortcoming by being
compatible with almost all the networks of charging stations
available in France and abroad. In France, for example, the recharge card doubles the number of charging stations available.
The card is available to
all Bip&Go private customers,
regardless of the type of subscription selected. Each user can order and activate one card at a time. In addition, as for charging using the Bip&Go app, you do not need to enter a new means of payment.
All transactions will be billed the following month
via your Bip&Go subscription.
2. The Bip&Go recharge card: independent of and complementary to the Bip&Go app
While travelling, you may need to use your mobile phone for GPS or other purposes that can drain your phone's battery, or you may simply have forgotten to charge it. If you find yourself in this situation, you may need another way to start and stop charging your electric vehicle. In this case, the recharge card is a practical and simple option for charging your electric car without needing your mobile phone.
The recharge card therefore complements the mobile application.
Although you can use the app to find a charging station, check availability and start a charge, the recharge card is an alternative that offers
near-universal compatibility
with the charging stations available in France and abroad.
In short, the recharge card is a simple, practical and reliable solution for charging your electric car with complete peace of mind, wherever you are.
In conclusion, the Bip&Go app and recharge card complement each other and can be used on all your journeys to recharge your electric vehicle in France and abroad, with complete peace of mind and no hassle.
