A new partnership has been announced between Parkopedia and Plugsurfing that will see the latter’s Drive API being integrated into Parkopedia’s in-car Payment Platform. Following the integration, drivers will easily be able to locate, start and pay for the charging of their vehicles at more than 500,000 charge points in Europe using Parkopedia’s data.
Additionally, users can start and pay for charging either remotely or from within the vehicle. This will provide value to customers by using automotive-grade data and in-car commerce functionality via integration of the service with the vehicle’s infotainment system. The seamless parking and charging experience will be delivered through Parkopedia’s EV Park and Charge service.
Through the newly formed partnership, Plugsurfing will handle all payments and ensure PCI compliance while Parkopedia will combine EV charging payments with broader in-car payment services, in addition to covering vehicle-centric services like parking through its Single Sign-on payment platform.
“Parkopedia and Plugsurfing offer complementary services to EV drivers, and this partnership enables auto makers to benefit from the valuable combination of a substantial charging network, extensive parking and charging data and end-to-end in-car payment services,” said Duncan Licence, chief product officer at Parkopedia. “These are unified as part of Parkopedia’s Park and Charge service, which enables drivers to seamlessly locate, navigate to and pay for parking or charging from the car everywhere they go, as part of an enhanced and complete charging experience delivered directly to the driver. Combine this with Plugsurfing’s vast European charging network and we believe drivers now have access to the best-possible charging process.”
“We built Drive API so that our partners can create tailored charging solutions for their customers,” added Will Gill, chief product and technology officer of Plugsurfing. “Drivers don’t have to leave the car interface they know and love and can enjoy all the benefits of Plugsurfing’s network and service. Our new partnership with Parkopedia will bring even more convenience to drivers with this integrated solution, since EV drivers charge where they park.”
