Cariqa has launched Retail Rewards, a new feature that connects electric vehicle charging sessions with verified in-store purchases in real time. The programme enables charge point operators and retailers to collaborate without requiring integrations, hardware installations, or operational changes. Drivers can charge at participating locations, shop at partner retailers, scan their receipts in the Cariqa app, and receive instant discounts on their charging sessions once the spend is verified.
Highlights
- Cariqa Retail Rewards automates the connection between EV charging sessions and retail purchases, requiring no POS integration, hardware, or staff training
- The programme creates a three-way value exchange: CPOs increase station utilisation, retailers gain guaranteed footfall, and drivers receive instant charging discounts
- The rollout phase begins in Germany with CPO and retail partners to be announced, following successful completion of the beta phase
Automated Verification System Eliminates Integration Barriers
The Cariqa platform automatically checks receipt data and applies rewards instantaneously after drivers complete their shopping. This automation removes the traditional barriers that have limited partnerships between charging networks and retail brands.
The system operates without requiring point-of-sale integration, enterprise resource planning system connections, or additional hardware at retail locations. This approach addresses the fragmentation and manual processes that have characterised previous CPO-retailer partnerships.
Three-Way Commercial Model for Charging Ecosystem
The Retail Rewards programme delivers distinct benefits across the charging ecosystem:
Charge Point Operators: Strengthen relationships with local retailers and drive station utilisation through guaranteed retail footfall
Retailers: Generate measurable, guaranteed sales from EV drivers charging at nearby locations
Drivers: Convert routine shopping into instant charging discounts, adding value to every charging session
Infrastructure-First Approach to Market Fragmentation
Cariqa Retail Rewards builds on the company’s core infrastructure that provides CPOs with full control over pricing, payments, and billing with built-in compliance. The platform replaces fragmented apps, cards, and unpredictable mark-ups with a unified system.
“Charge point operators and retailers have been talking about collaboration for years, but it has remained too complex to execute,” said Issam Tidjani, CEO and co-founder of Cariqa. “With Retail Rewards, we’re making that connection real – in a way that is instant, measurable and effortless to activate.”
The infrastructure enables CPOs to introduce dynamic retail-linked incentives without building custom systems or introducing new intermediaries.
German Pilot Programme Precedes European Rollout
Cariqa is onboarding CPOs and national retailers for the launch phase in Germany, with initial locations scheduled to go live in the coming weeks. Pilot partners will help establish programme parameters including spend thresholds, reward levels, and promotional formats before broader expansion across Europe.
The launch follows Cariqa’s €4 million seed funding round in July 2025, which the company secured to address fragmented payment architecture in Europe’s EV charging sector. The company works with charge point operators including Pfalzwerke, EWE Go, Qwello, enercity, Lichtblick, Q1, and Mer.
“Retail Rewards shows what becomes possible when you fix the underlying infrastructure first,” said Tamara Ciullo, CCO and co-founder. “We’re not adding another layer of complexity. We’re enabling the ecosystem to work together intelligently – giving CPOs control, retailers visibility, and drivers an instant benefit.”
More information about Cariqa is available at www.cariqa.com.
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