SWISS Greencard: Charging card for companies with no roaming fees

In a short interview, Tien Dat Nguyen, Product Manager for the SWISS Greencard at BKW Smart Mobility, gives us an insight into the key functions and benefits. He explains how the idea came about and where users still face a small challenge.

Can you tell us more about the SWISS Greencard?

The SWISS Greencard is a combined charging and credit card for electric vehicles, specifically for business customers. It was developed to avoid roaming fees when charging. This works because payment is made directly via the credit card terminal at the charging station, meaning there is no intermediary provider. The money flows by the shortest possible route from the end user to the station owner.

What distinguishes the SWISS Greencard from a conventional credit card?

With normal credit cards, payment is only possible if a terminal is available. The SWISS Greencard also includes an RFID function, enabling charging even at stations without a terminal.

What are the main benefits of the SWISS Greencard?

One major benefit: you only need one card for all charging processes – whether private, business, public or at home. In addition, there are no roaming fees at charging stations with credit card terminals and billing is standardised. Drivers no longer have to carry various cards with them and manage multiple invoices at the end of the month.

Which companies is the SWISS Greencard suitable for?

It is intended for all companies with electric vehicles – starting from just a single vehicle. There are no minimum requirements.

Does the card only work with BKW's billing system?

Yes, authentication and billing run via our system – this is necessary in order to keep everything properly separate and bill correctly.

Is there an app or an online portal?

There is a web portal for fleet managers where all charging processes and charging stations can be viewed. For employees, there is an app to find charging stations, manage cards and view billing. In addition, there is the iCorner app from our partner Cornèrbank, where all credit card transactions are displayed. The SWISS Greencard can be stored in the app, enabling payment at the credit card terminal without a physical card.

Has the card already been tested?

Yes, the card has been tested internally and the feedback was consistently positive. Through the pilot trial, for example, we were able to determine that the preset transaction limits had been set too low – we have adjusted this. Gaining such insights at an early stage was important for us.

How did the idea for the SWISS Greencard come about?

BKW Smart Mobility does not see itself as a traditional charging card provider. We see the existing roaming system as expensive and not very customer-friendly. It harms electromobility because it keeps prices unnecessarily high. That is why we considered how this could be avoided. The new EU requirements (AFIR), under which credit card terminals at fast-charging stations will become mandatory, have also created a good starting point. The combination of a credit card and a traditional RFID charging card is unique to date – no one else offers it in this form.

Is the SWISS Greencard also available for private customers?

No, initially we are focusing on business customers. There are fewer benefits for private individuals, as they usually already have a credit card and do not need to separate business charging sessions.

Are there any particular challenges when using it?

Yes, there is a small challenge at first: drivers need to learn to hold the card correctly up to the right reader. Many charging stations have two readers close together, one for credit cards and one for RFID. The favourable terms only apply if the credit card terminal is used. This is a little unfamiliar at first, but quickly learned.

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