November 7, at the 2023 Sumeru Summit, the China CITIC Bank StarCharge Co-Branded Credit Card, created jointly by StarCharge and China CITIC Bank, was officially launched — the first co-branded automobile charging credit card in China. By integrating StarCharge's rich charging ecosystem with China CITIC Bank's distinctive credit card financial services, it brings cardholders multiple benefits including a StarCharge annual membership and a RMB 50 charging card, allowing NEV owners to easily enjoy a premium experience of 'numerous stations, fast charging, and savings on every order' — truly delivering worry-free charging.
In recent years, as China's 'dual carbon' (carbon peaking and carbon neutrality) strategy has kept advancing, low-carbon environmental protection has gradually entered everyday life, and the sustainable development idea of 'paying for green' has won the recognition and support of a growing number of consumers. And as one of the key arenas of energy conservation and emission reduction, transportation sees electrification and greening as the keys to reaching carbon neutrality.
As introduced, as China's first co-branded credit card deeply focused on automobile charging, the China CITIC Bank StarCharge Co-Branded Credit Card gives new users who successfully activate it a free StarCharge 'Star Member' annual card worth RMB 229, plus a RMB 50 charging card. At StarCharge's own charging stations, users can enjoy a variety of exclusive perks such as charging discounts, member-station events, and lifestyle privileges. In addition, cardholders are entitled to discounted StarCharge membership renewal the following year.
In addition, to meet NEV owners' diverse consumption and lifestyle needs, China CITIC Bank provides users of this co-branded card with rich financial services and product benefits. Among them, Platinum cardholders of designated tiers enjoy China CITIC Bank credit card Platinum privileges such as the dedicated Platinum VIP line, airport and high-speed-rail lounge services, the '36+1 New Life' signature benefits, vehicle roadside assistance, and appointment registration and accompanying-care services. Meanwhile, all cardholders can not only take part in China CITIC Bank credit card brand campaigns such as '9 Points Redemption,' '9-Yuan Viewing,' and 'Splendid 365,' but also enjoy thoughtful protections provided by the bank, including anti-fraud coverage, flight delay insurance, and aviation accident insurance.
As one of the core brands under Wanbang Digital Energy (Co., Ltd.), an 'Asian digital energy unicorn,' StarCharge has been deeply engaged in the NEV charging field for many years, offering customers across China and around the world a full range of services including charging and battery-swapping equipment, intelligent cloud platforms, user and data operations, green electricity trading, and virtual power plant operations.
China CITIC Bank is one of the first commercial banks in the industry to launch a personal carbon account. As early as April 2022, relying on its credit card app 'Dongka Kongjian,' it launched the carbon inclusion platform 'CITIC Carbon Account' for individual users — the first personal carbon account led by a domestic bank. At present, CITIC Carbon Account has more than 7 million registered users, with accumulated carbon reductions exceeding 6,000 tons of carbon dioxide.
Notably, as early as this year's National Low-Carbon Day on July 12, StarCharge became one of the newest members of China CITIC Bank's 'Green · Xin · Hui' ecological platform. When NEV owners charge and spend within the StarCharge app or StarCharge mini program, pay with a China CITIC Bank credit card, and log in to 'CITIC Carbon Account,' they receive corresponding energy points and can join lucky draws or redeem great gifts. This gives value to the carbon-reducing charging behavior of NEV owners and delivers inclusive benefits, realizing a carbon inclusion mechanism of 'low-carbon benefits for all.'
This alliance of two heavyweights dives deep into the automobile charging scenario with a co-branded credit card. It not only links NEV owners' charging habits with their spending habits, but also provides the broad population of NEV owners with multiple discounts and protections covering vehicle charging and everyday consumption — using a one-stop NEV owner service ecosystem to bring users a financial service experience that is valuable and warm. It also marks yet another innovative exploration in cross-sector cooperation between StarCharge and China CITIC Bank.
In the future, the two parties will continue to focus on green mobility, exploring more real-world applications of green finance. Anchored by the 'Green · Xin · Hui' ecological platform, they will team up with other platform members to build a low-carbon ecosystem, contributing the wisdom and strength of StarCharge and China CITIC Bank to accelerating China's achievement of the 'dual carbon' goals and building a new energy structure.
