Table of Contents
What Is RFID? Why Is It Essential for Commercial EV Chargers?
What Is RFID?
RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) is a wireless technology that enables contactless identification and data exchange using radio waves. A standard RFID system consists of three core components:
| Component | Description |
| RFID Card / Tag | User or vehicle identity carrier |
| RFID Reader | Integrated into the EV charger |
| Backend System | Manages users, charging records, billing, and permissions |
In commercial EV charging environments, RFID is a foundational technology for user authentication, access control, and billing—especially in semi-public and private charging networks.
The Role of RFID in Commercial EV Charging
Secure User Authentication
RFID allows operators to clearly distinguish between different user groups:
- Employees vs. visitors
- Residents vs. non-residents
- Fleet vehicles vs. public users
Compared with QR codes or mobile apps, RFID offers:
- Fast tap-and-go operation
- High reliability in offline scenarios
- No dependency on smartphones or mobile networks
This makes RFID ideal for parking garages, office buildings, residential complexes, fleets, and commercial properties.
Foundation for Accurate Billing and Settlement
RFID serves as the entry point for commercial charging monetization:
| Billing Model | RFID Function |
| Energy-based billing | Links kWh usage to user ID |
| Time-based billing | Differentiates users and tariffs |
| Internal cost allocation | Enables corporate or property billing |
| Subscription / prepaid | Identifies account balance or permissions |
Without RFID, it is difficult to build a traceable, auditable, and scalable billing system.
Preventing Unauthorized Use
In shared or public-access environments, RFID helps prevent:
- Unauthorized vehicles using chargers
- Long-term occupation of charging points
- Abuse of internal electricity resources
With RFID-based policies, operators can implement:
- User or time-based access control
- Daily or session-based charging limits
- Blacklists and whitelists
This is critical where charging capacity is limited and demand is high.
Why RFID Is a Must-Have for Commercial EV Chargers
Commercial Charging Is Not Residential Charging
| Aspect | Residential Charging | Commercial Charging |
| Users | Single user | Multiple users |
| Billing | Not required | Mandatory |
| Management | Minimal | Essential |
| Access control | Not needed | Required |
| Auditing | Not needed | Required |
If a charging project involves multiple users, payments, or operations, RFID is no longer optional—it is infrastructure-level functionality.
RFID + OCPP = Scalable Commercial Operations
Modern commercial charging systems combine:
- RFID for local authentication
- OCPP (1.6 / 2.0.1) for cloud-based management
Together, they enable:
- Unified user management across sites
- Automatic upload of charging records
- Centralized monitoring and remote operations
RFID vs. Other Authentication Methods
| Method | Advantages | Limitations |
| RFID | Fast, stable, offline-capable | Card management required |
| Mobile App | Feature-rich | Network and device dependent |
| QR Code | Low cost | Slower user experience |
| License Plate Recognition | High automation | Higher deployment cost |
In real-world projects, RFID is typically the standard, with other methods used as optional supplements.
RFID Value by Commercial Scenario
Office Buildings & Business Parks
- Employee cards double as charging access
- Easy internal cost allocation
Residential & Property Management
- Clear resident identification
- Simplified billing and access control
Fleet Operations
- Vehicle- or driver-based charging records
- Accurate energy consumption tracking
Retail & Hospitality
- Member-only charging access
- Enhanced customer experience
Key Considerations When Choosing RFID-Enabled Chargers
- Support for mainstream RFID standards (e.g., MIFARE)
- Seamless integration with OCPP platforms
- Local whitelist support for offline operation
- Remote configuration and card management
These factors directly affect long-term operational efficiency and scalability.
How QIAO Integrates RFID into Commercial EV Charging
At QIAO, RFID is not treated as a simple hardware feature—it is designed as a core component of commercial charging infrastructure.
- Native RFID user authentication
- Compatible with OCPP 1.6 and 2.0.1 platforms
- Designed for apartments, offices, fleets, retail, and hospitality
- Optimized for global compliance and long-term reliability
By integrating RFID, AC charging hardware, and platform readiness, QIAO delivers scalable and operator-ready EV charging solutions for B2B customers worldwide.
