Quick Summary:
- Install Tesla, ChargePoint, Electrify America, EVgo, and Shell Recharge apps.
- Add a fee-free credit card, enable online payments, and pre-authorise deposits.
- Prepare a UK-number workaround, plus email login, in case SMS fails.
- Test each app with a dummy session, then save support numbers offline.
Planning EV charging before you collect your California car hire can be the difference between a smooth first drive and an hour in a car park with poor signal. California has excellent charging coverage, but networks are fragmented, pricing varies, and some apps assume a US mobile number for text verification. The goal is simple: arrive with working logins, a payment method accepted by US networks, and a backup plan when verification or tap-to-pay does not cooperate.
This guide focuses on what UK visitors should set up in advance, how to handle UK phone number issues, and what to do if an app will not verify when you are already on the road.
Before you fly: your 30-minute EV charging setup plan
Step 1: Confirm what plug your rental EV uses. Most non-Tesla EVs use CCS for rapid charging and J1772 for slower AC charging. Many newer EVs in the US also support NACS (Tesla-style) or may come with an adapter. Ask at pick-up what adapters are included, and whether the car can use Tesla Superchargers. This matters because app choices depend on what you can physically plug into.
If you are collecting near Los Angeles, note that demand can be high around major airports. Planning is especially helpful when collecting from car rental locations near LAX, where you may want your first charge en route rather than immediately after pick-up.
Step 2: Install the core apps, then create accounts. Do this at home on Wi‑Fi, with your UK SIM still active. If you will use an eSIM in the US, keep your UK SIM installed until accounts are created so you can receive any initial verification texts.
Step 3: Add a payment method that US networks like. A UK credit card (not debit) usually works best for US pre-authorisations. Ensure the card supports online payments, has 3D Secure enabled, and is not set to block US transactions. If your bank app lets you pre-approve travel spending, switch it on.
Step 4: Turn on the right phone settings. Enable location services for each charging app, allow Bluetooth if the app supports station pairing, and allow notifications so you see session status and receipts. Download any offline maps you may rely on, because some charging bays have poor signal.
Step 5: Do a quick test. Open each app, check that a payment method shows as active, and locate a station in California to confirm the map loads and pricing appears. You are not charging yet, you are verifying the basics work.
Which charging apps should UK visitors install for California?
California’s charging landscape is a mix of network-owned sites and roaming agreements. No single app covers everything, so pick a practical set that covers common motorway routes and urban hubs.
Electrify America is one of the most common CCS rapid charging networks on major routes. It is often the first place drivers try for a quick top-up. Create an account, add your card, and consider membership options only if you will fast charge frequently, because it can reduce per-kWh pricing.
EVgo is widespread in metropolitan areas and has many fast chargers, including near shopping centres. It also partners with some roaming services, but the EVgo app is still the most reliable way to start a session quickly.
ChargePoint is extremely common for AC charging and workplace, hotel, and public car park charging. You may not use it for high-speed charging as often, but it is useful for overnight top-ups and longer stops. ChargePoint also tends to have dependable station status reporting.
Tesla is essential if your rental can use Superchargers, or if you might use Tesla Destination Chargers at hotels. Even if you are not driving a Tesla, the Tesla app is increasingly relevant as more cars gain access and more sites open to non-Tesla vehicles. Set it up anyway, then you can decide later if you will use it.
Shell Recharge can help with roaming across multiple networks. Coverage varies by area, but it can be a useful backup if a station is listed in multiple apps and one of them is misbehaving.
Your app set should match your itinerary. For example, a Bay Area start from San Francisco Airport (SFO) often means a mix of urban charging and motorway charging south or east, while a Silicon Valley pick-up at San Jose (SJC) can put you near dense networks but also high utilisation at peak times.
UK phone numbers and SMS verification: what usually works
The biggest surprise for UK visitors is that some US charging apps and payment screens assume a US phone number. In practice, most major networks will accept a UK number in international format (+44), but verification texts can still fail because of carrier filtering, roaming blocks, or an app bug.
Use the international format from the start. Enter +44 followed by your number without the leading zero. If the app offers a country selector, use it rather than typing the code manually.
Keep your UK SIM active until accounts are created. If you swap to a US eSIM before signup, you might lose access to a UK SMS the app insists on sending. Complete setup first, then change SIMs.
Prefer email sign-in when available. Some apps allow email and password login plus optional phone number. Choose email as the primary login where possible, then add a phone number afterwards if needed.
Enable roaming SMS temporarily. Many UK plans allow incoming texts while roaming at no extra cost, but some require you to enable roaming in your account settings. Do that before flying.
Have a backup number option. If you are travelling with someone who has a different mobile network, set up at least one of the charging apps on both phones. If one carrier blocks a text, the other may receive it. If you will buy a US eSIM, you can also add the US number to apps after arrival, while keeping email login intact.
Payment methods that minimise failures at chargers
Charging sessions often begin with a pre-authorisation, and those holds can be larger than the final charge. To avoid card declines, focus on compatibility rather than rewards.
Use a credit card if you can. UK debit cards sometimes fail when a US merchant attempts a high pre-authorisation. A credit card generally handles these holds more smoothly.
Avoid cards that frequently trigger fraud checks. If your bank is strict, notify them of US travel dates. If you have a second card from a different bank, add it too, because switching cards on the roadside is faster than calling a bank.
Apple Pay and Google Pay are not universal inside apps. Some charging apps accept wallet payments, others insist on a stored card. Add at least one physical card number to each key app.
Keep billing details consistent. Use your real UK billing address exactly as your bank holds it. Small mismatches can cause verification errors in US payment gateways.
Expect deposits and holds. If you are also putting a deposit down for car hire, your available credit can shrink. Leave buffer room so charging pre-authorisations do not fail later in the trip.
What to do if an app will not verify or start a charge
Even with preparation, you may hit an app verification loop, a stuck “starting” screen, or a charger that refuses to initiate. Work through a simple escalation path.
1) Try a different start method at the same charger. Many stations allow starting via QR code, charger ID entry, or selecting the stall on the map. If one method fails, another may work without re-verification.
2) Switch networks if the site is multi-listed. A station may appear in both the network’s own app and a roaming app. If the network app will not verify your number, try the roaming app that does not require SMS at that moment.
3) Use phone support, not email. Most networks have 24/7 helplines, and staff can often start a session remotely if you read out the charger ID. Save the support numbers inside your phone notes so you can access them when signal is weak.
4) Toggle data and location permissions. Some apps fail when location is off or when they cannot see Bluetooth. A quick check of permissions can solve an issue that looks like payment failure.
5) Change your SIM strategy. If the problem is SMS verification, a US eSIM can help. Keep your UK number available for logins tied to it, but add the US number to the account if the app allows. If you cannot receive texts at all, ask support to verify by email, which some providers can do.
6) Have a slow-charge fallback. If fast charging is blocked by app issues, a J1772 AC charge at a hotel or public car park can stabilise your plan. ChargePoint is a common option for this.
If you are picking up in Southern California and plan to drive immediately, building this buffer matters. For example, if your collection point is near Orange County, you may be comparing suppliers such as Alamo at Santa Ana (SNA) while also wanting to ensure your first charge is not dependent on a single app behaving perfectly.
A practical first-day checklist for EV car hire in California
Use this sequence on the day you collect your vehicle.
At pick-up: confirm charge level, plug type, and whether the car includes any adapters. Ask how the car starts a public charge session if it has built-in Plug and Charge, and whether any charging credit is included.
Before leaving the car park: open the two apps you expect to use first, confirm you are logged in, and confirm the stored payment method is still active. If you have just landed, your bank may treat the first US transaction cautiously, so do not wait until the battery is low.
During the first charge: choose a well-reviewed site with multiple stalls. Start with a modest top-up to confirm everything works, then rely on that network more confidently later.
Keep your options open: busy periods can cause queues. Having more than one network ready saves time, especially in dense areas around San Francisco, San Jose, and Los Angeles.
FAQ
Do I need a physical RFID charging card in California? Usually no. Most drivers start sessions with apps or contactless payment where available. ChargePoint sometimes offers RFID cards, but UK visitors can manage well with app setup and a backup payment card.
Will my UK bank card work in US charging apps? In most cases yes, especially a credit card with online payments enabled. Failures usually come from fraud blocks or pre-authorisation limits, so add a second card and keep available credit spare.
What if a charging app insists on a US phone number? First try entering your UK number in +44 format and using email login. If it still fails, call the network support line to start a session, then add a US eSIM number to the account if supported.
Can I rely on Tesla Superchargers with a non-Tesla rental EV? It depends on the vehicle and whether it supports Supercharger access, often via the Tesla app. Confirm at pick-up whether the car can use Tesla sites and whether an adapter is provided.
How many apps should I realistically set up before my car hire starts? Aim for three to five: Electrify America, EVgo, ChargePoint, Tesla, and one roaming backup like Shell Recharge. That combination covers most common charging situations in California.
