Short answer: on most rapid chargers you can just tap a contactless bank card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay — no app, no account. That's the simplest way to pay whoever runs the charger. Beyond contactless, each network has its own app or card, and Scotland now has a lot of networks, because ChargePlace Scotland is handing its chargers over to new operators through 2026.
This guide covers the three universal ways to pay, then walks through every network you're likely to meet in Scotland and how to pay on each.
The three ways to pay — true on almost every network
- Contactless card or phone — tap a bank card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay. Increasingly standard on rapid chargers since 2025, and the one method that works across networks with nothing to set up. If a charger has it, use it.
- A network app — download the operator's app, add a card, start the charge from your phone. Needed on many slower and older units that have no card reader.
- An RFID card or fob — a physical tap card for the network you're on. A good backup where you have no phone signal.
Not every charger supports every method. Newer high-power units usually take contactless; older on-street and car-park units are often app- or card-only.
Why Scotland has so many networks now
Most public chargers in Scotland used to be on one network — ChargePlace Scotland (CPS). CPS is winding down, and every charger on it is moving to a new operator by the end of December 2026. There's no single replacement: each charger's owner (usually the local council) picks its own new operator, so Scotland's charging is splitting into several networks, each with its own app, card and prices.
What that means at the charger: when a site moves networks, your CPS card and app stop working on it, the price usually changes, and you'll need contactless or the new operator's app. We keep a running list of who's moved to which operator.
Paying by network
ChargePlace Scotland (the legacy network — still widespread)
Still the biggest single network while the handover runs. Four ways to pay: contactless where the unit supports it, the free CPS app, a £12 CPS RFID card (order it ahead — 10–14 days by post), or Webpay for one-off pay-as-you-go with no account (note the £75 pre-authorisation hold). Some older units can only be started by card or by phoning the number on the unit. Full detail in our ChargePlace Scotland payment guide.
EZO — Highland, Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire & Moray
The council chargers across the north-east have moved to EZO (formerly EasyGo). Pay with the EZO app (link a card for pay-as-you-go, or top up an in-app wallet), an EZO fob or RFID card, or contactless on units that support it. Published flat tariffs across the network: 55p/kWh on AC, 75p/kWh on rapid (50–149kW), 85p/kWh on ultra-rapid (150kW+). Your old CPS card won't work on these.
ScottishPower — Argyll & Bute, Western Isles, Orkney & Shetland
The island and Argyll networks have moved to ScottishPower. Use contactless where available, or the ScottishPower Recharge app; their chargers also accept most roaming accounts if you already have one. If you're stuck, their EV helpline is 0800 001 5234. As with the others, CPS cards stop working once a site has migrated.
Evolt — Dundee
Dundee's public and fleet chargers have moved to Evolt (the new name for SWARCO E.Connect). Most ways to pay are covered: contactless on DC rapids and newer units, the Evolt Network app (works one-off, no account needed — just add a card or use Apple/Google Pay), an RFID card, WebPay by scanning the QR code on the unit, or a roaming account if you have one. Free 24-hour helpline: 0808 281 3508.
Osprey
A rapid network across Scotland's retail parks and A-roads. Contactless-first — no app or account needed. Just tap and charge.
InstaVolt
Rapid and ultra-rapid hubs, consistently rated among the most reliable in the UK. Contactless, no subscription and no app required — tap a bank card and go. One thing worth knowing: their cheaper off-peak rate (8pm–7am) needs the InstaVolt app or an RFID card — contactless always pays the standard rate.
BP Pulse
One of the larger networks, from older on-street posts to 150kW+ motorway hubs. Pay with the bp pulse app, contactless on newer units, or a bp pulse RFID card.
IONITY
Ultra-rapid hubs (including new 400kW sites at Fort William and Inverness). Pay by contactless or the IONITY app.
Pod Point
Common at supermarkets and retail car parks. Pay through the Pod Point app, or by contactless at the rapid units (some Tesco sites). Pod Point also offers guest charging without an account for occasional users.
GRIDSERVE, Tesla and others
GRIDSERVE rapid hubs take contactless. Tesla Superchargers that are open to non-Tesla cars are paid for through the Tesla app. Other rapid networks you may meet — Fastned, Shell Recharge, MFG EV Power — are contactless-first.
Quick reference
| Network | Where you'll meet it | Simplest way to pay |
|---|---|---|
| ChargePlace Scotland | Everywhere (for now) | Contactless, else CPS app / £12 card / Webpay |
| EZO | Highland, Aberdeen, Moray | Contactless or EZO app |
| ScottishPower | Argyll, Western Isles, Orkney, Shetland | Contactless or Recharge app (+ roaming) |
| Evolt | Dundee | Contactless (DC), Evolt app, WebPay or RFID |
| Osprey | Retail parks, A-roads | Contactless — no app needed |
| InstaVolt | Rapid hubs | Contactless — no app needed |
| BP Pulse | On-street & motorway | bp pulse app or contactless |
| IONITY | Ultra-rapid hubs | Contactless or IONITY app |
| Pod Point | Supermarkets | Pod Point app, or contactless at rapids |
| GRIDSERVE / Tesla | Motorway hubs | Contactless / Tesla app |
One app across every network — that's EvEcho
You shouldn't need a different app for every operator just to find a charge and pay for it. That's the whole idea behind EvEcho: one dashboard across every Scottish network. EvEcho shows you which chargers are free right now — EZO, ScottishPower, Evolt, Osprey, CPS and the rest, all on one map — and when you pick one, it hands you straight to the right way to pay: a contactless tap where the unit supports it, or the operator's own app opened for you, or the store to install it if you don't have it yet. And because we track the handover from ChargePlace Scotland, the app always knows which network actually runs the charger in front of you.
In practice, most rapid charging is a contactless tap anyway — so for a lot of drivers, "which app do I need?" stops being a question. EvEcho finds the charge; your bank card pays for it.
Some drivers also use a roaming account (a single billing relationship that works across several networks) so every charge lands on one bill. That's a payment convenience rather than a way to find chargers — check the per-kWh rate, as roaming prices can run higher than paying the host network directly.
The quickest route by situation
- One-off, or just passing through: look for contactless first — it works on most rapid chargers whoever runs them. No contactless? Use the host network's app, or Webpay on a CPS unit. Visiting from Ireland or the rest of the UK? See our visitor guide.
- Charging in Scotland regularly: let EvEcho be your catch-all for finding chargers and getting to the right way to pay across every network (check who runs your local chargers now); set up individual operator apps only for the networks you actually use. Keep a CPS card as backup only while CPS sites remain near you.
- Going rural or to the islands: contactless isn't guaranteed on smaller units, so set up the relevant app before you leave signal — EZO for the north, ScottishPower Recharge for the islands and Argyll.
What it costs
There's no single national price in Scotland — each operator, and often each site owner, sets its own tariff. Rapid charging is commonly 70–85p/kWh; minimum fees, connection fees and overstay charges vary by site. Always check the price on the unit or in the app before you plug in. Prices also tend to change when a charger changes networks, so a site you've used before may cost differently under its new operator.
Where EvEcho fits in
EvEcho doesn't take the payment — you still pay through the charger's own network or a contactless tap. What EvEcho does is show you which chargers are actually free before you drive over, hand you straight to the right operator's app or tell you if contactless works there, and keep track of which network runs each charger as the handover from ChargePlace Scotland rolls on — so you're never guessing at an unfamiliar unit.
Spotted a charger that's changed networks, or a price that's moved? Tell us at hello@evecho.ie — during a handover like this, driver reports are gold, and every reply gets read.