What is preauthorization?

Preauthorization is not a charge, but rather a method of holding funds to ensure a payment method is valid, most commonly used when the final amount is undetermined, such as with hotels, gas stations, and in this case: EV chargers. These funds are not transferred anywhere, and instead are reserved until the session has finished.

How long does preauthorization last?

Usually, if your session finishes and the total is less than the preauthorization amount, the hold will be replaced- releasing the remainder of the funds. If you attempt multiple charges, initiate but do not complete a session, or your total exceeds the amount preauthorized, your hold may remain visible in your statement. This hold typically remains for one week, but some banks may hold it for up to two.

Stripe Preauthorization Explained

Our payments are handled securely through Stripe. You can find a much more in depth explanation of how Stripe handles preauthorization, as well as more examples of it's use cases here.