Public charging operators in Israel are moving to a licensed electricity-sales model with clearer prices, customer-service duties and easier one-time payment at fast chargers.
Key facts
- Only licensed companies may sell electricity through public EV charging stations.
- The first licences cover 11 operators and are valid for eight years.
- Operators must provide clear pricing and accessible customer service.
- Fast chargers must support a one-time payment by a standard bank card without forcing a user to register or install an app.
What changed
Israel’s Electricity Authority has begun applying a formal licensing framework to the sale of electricity at public EV chargers. The change brings charging operators closer to other regulated electricity suppliers and gives drivers a clearer set of consumer protections.
According to the published report, the first group includes 11 companies, among them Dor Alon, Tesla Motors, Sonol, Paz and Nofar. Together, the licensed operators represent roughly 90% of the existing public charging market.
Payment without an app
One of the most practical changes concerns fast charging. A driver should be able to arrive, pay once with an ordinary bank card and begin charging without creating an account, joining a club or downloading a separate application.
Apps and subscriptions may still offer discounts or additional services, but they should no longer be the only way to start a public fast-charging session.
Why the licence matters
The eight-year licences require operators to display prices clearly and maintain customer-service channels. This should make it easier to compare networks, understand the cost before charging and receive help when a charger or payment terminal fails.
The framework also gives the regulator a direct mechanism for supervising companies that sell electricity to the public through charging infrastructure.
What drivers and site owners should check
Drivers should look for a visible price, supported payment methods and operator contact details before starting a session. Property owners planning a public or semi-public charging site should verify that electricity sales and billing are handled by an appropriately licensed operator.
For private home charging, the main considerations remain a safe electrical design, correctly sized protection and professional installation; the new licensing framework mainly targets public electricity sales.