Pre-authorization temporarily reserves a configurable amount on a driver’s credit card to confirm sufficient funds for a charging session. After the session, any unused funds are automatically returned to the driver. This ensures that only drivers with sufficient balances can start a session, reducing the risk of incomplete payments.
How Pre-authorization Works
When a driver initiates a charging session, the pre-authorization temporarily reserves a specified amount (e.g., $50) on their credit card to ensure sufficient funds. Once the session ends, the actual fees incurred are deducted, and any remaining balance is returned to the driver.
Example:
If the pre-authorization amount is set to $50, and a driver is charged as follows:
- Connection fee: $5
- Session fee: $20
- Occupancy fee: $7
The total cost of the session is $32. After the session concludes, the remaining $18 will be released back to the driver. This ensures that only the actual costs are charged while confirming sufficient funds upfront.
Note: Ensure the pre-authorization amount covers all potential fees to prevent service interruptions. If the final fees exceed the pre-authorized amount, charging will be ended.
Enabling Pre-authorization
This feature can be enabled at the CPO, Group, or Site level. You can inherit settings from an upper entry. Each site can also independently decide whether to enable pre-authorization.
When "Apply settings from upper entry" is enabled, the site will inherit the pre-authorization settings from its parent (upper entry).
1. Select Site Directory from the side menu.
2. Select an entry to configure.
3. Navigate to the Payment tab.
4. Scroll down to the Payment Authorization section and click the toggle to enable Pre-authorization.
5. Once enabled, enter the pre-authorization amount for your AC and/or DC stations.
Viewing Pre-authorization in Reports
Details of sessions with pre-authorization enabled can be found in the columns listed below in the Statement Report:
- Additional Payment Info (i.e., pre-auth amount and status)
- Completion Status (e.g., Success, charging error, charging not started.)