Electric cars

In Portugal, charging an electric car is quite convenient, but it is not as straightforward as pulling up to a station and paying with a credit card, as you might expect at a regular gas station.

When I first experienced it, one key detail became clear very quickly: at most charging stations, you cannot simply tap a credit card and start charging. Payment is almost always handled through an app or a pre-registered access system.

The entire public charging network is integrated into a national platform called Mobi.E, which connects charging operators into a single system. In practice, it works as a centralized hub that coordinates access across the country.

What this looks like on the ground is simple: before or during a trip, I open an app, check nearby stations, see pricing per kilowatt-hour and availability, and then start the charging session directly from my phone. In some cases, an RFID card* is used instead — you just tap it on the station—but that is more common for regular EV users than for travelers.

Payment is processed automatically through the app, usually linked to a bank card. Occasionally, there are stations with a QR code that leads to a payment page, but even then, activation still happens online via a phone.

The type of charger affects both speed and cost. Slower chargers are typically cheaper and are suitable for overnight parking or long stops. Fast chargers along highways are more expensive, but they can recharge a car in about 20–40 minutes. In most cases, pricing is clearly based on kilowatt-hours, and sometimes there is an additional fee if the car remains plugged in after charging is complete.

Over time, it becomes clear that the key “tool” for using an electric car in Portugal is not the physical infrastructure itself, but the app. Without it, the system can feel unpredictable. With it, however, travel becomes quite manageable and structured, especially when routes are planned.