TL;DR
EV charge card, electric fuel card, charging card for electric cars… we argued about this a lot
When we started Paua, we thought the hardest problem would be building great EV charging payment tech.
Turns out, the real headache was deciding what to call it.
Internally, we went back and forth on everything:
- EV charge card
- Charging card for electric cars
- Electric fuel card
- EV charging card
- EV card
- And about 20 other variations that all sounded vaguely right
The truth is, people use different language depending on where they sit. Fleet managers, finance teams, drivers, and sustainability leads all search differently. So rather than pretend there is one perfect term, here is how we think about each one.
EV charge card
This is the most literal option.
An EV charge card does exactly what it says on the tin. It lets drivers start and pay for charging sessions at public chargepoints.
Why it works:
- Clear and practical
- Easy for drivers to understand
- Closely matches how people search in the UK
Why it can fall short:
- Sounds consumer focused
- Does not hint at reporting, controls, or fleet features
Read more about the Paua EV charge card here
EV charging card
This is the grown up version of the same idea.
An EV charging card usually implies something broader than just tapping and charging.
Why it works:
- Widely recognised in fleet and business contexts
- Suggests payment plus management
- Strong search demand
Why it can be confusing:
- Still vague on who it is for
- Fleets and consumers both use the term
Charging card for electric cars
This one comes straight from search behaviour.
People often search exactly how they talk, especially if they are new to EVs.
Why it works:
- Very explicit
- High intent from people actively trying to solve a problem
- Good for education and early stage buyers
Why it is not a product name:
- Long
- Slightly clunky
- Better suited to explainer content than branding
- What about a charging card for electric vans? or electric trucks even?
Electric fuel card
This caused the most debate internally.
On one hand, EVs do not use fuel. On the other hand, fleet managers have used fuel cards for decades and want a like for like replacement.
Why it works:
- Immediately clicks with traditional fleet thinking
- Positions EV charging as a fuel replacement, not a nice to have
- Signals control, reporting, and cost management
Why some people dislike it:
- Purists hate the word fuel
- Sounds old world to some EV first audiences
EV card
Short, simple, and ambiguous.
Why it works:
- Easy to remember
- Often used internally by teams and drivers
- Broad enough to cover multiple use cases
Why it needs context:
- Could mean lots of things
- Needs explanation on the page to rank and convert
Electric car charging card
Another search led phrase.
Why it works:
- Clear and descriptive
- Often used by people researching options
- Good mid funnel intent
Why it is not enough on its own:
- Does not speak to fleets, finance, or reporting
- Needs support content to convert well
Charge card
This one is great in the UK. But the Americans think they are getting a credit card
Why it works:
- A charge card does what is says
- Sensible naming convention
- Good mid funnel intent
Why it is not enough on its own:
- Confusing for Americans
- No use of the word "electric" losing our core market focus
So which one is right?
Honestly? All of them.
They are different doorways into the same problem:
How do I let drivers charge electric vehicles easily, while keeping finance and fleet teams happy?
From our point of view, the label matters less than what sits behind it.
What actually matters when choosing an EV charging card
Regardless of what you call it, a good solution should give you:
- Access to a large, reliable charging network
- Simple payment for drivers
- Consolidated invoices and reporting
- Controls for cost centres, vehicles, or drivers
- Coverage that works for cars, vans, and trucks
If it does not do those things, the name will not save it.
How to get an EV charging card
The process is usually straightforward.
- Choose a provider that fits your use case
Fleets, multi driver vehicles, and finance teams all have different needs. - Set up your account
This is where billing, reporting, and controls are configured. - Issue cards to drivers or vehicles
Physical cards, digital options, or both. - Start charging
One card, multiple networks, far less admin.
At Paua, we built our EV charging payment platform specifically for UK fleets and businesses. Whether you call it an EV charge card, an electric fuel card, or something else entirely, the goal is the same. Make EV charging simple, controllable, and boring in the best possible way. Sign up here
Final thought
If you are stuck arguing about terminology, you are probably asking the right questions.
Just do not let the naming debate stop you from getting drivers charging and vehicles moving.
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Paua!
