5 Apps to download to help you find EV Charging Stations
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EV’s now have longer range than ever before, but when on extended road trips, this can present an issue: where can you charge your vehicle when you're away from home? This question can be solved with charging apps.
These apps allow EV drivers to locate both Level 2 and 3 DC Fast Charging stations. Additionally, these apps provide insights into charging speed (kilowatts) and station availability. Moreover, you can monitor charging progress remotely, help with route planning, and even enable reservation of a charging spot at a specific time. Some even let you connect with fellow EV drivers to share useful information about charging stations and offer various travel advice.
The answer starts with where you live and the electric car you drive. This holds for any electric vehicle, no matter the manufacturer. The electric car you drive likely offers an available app specific to the vehicle or the manufacturer’s lineup of EVs. That’s a great starting point, though browsing charging apps that make the most sense for your driving needs is the ideal way to go. Downloading several apps can be helpful, particularly for extended road trips or when you first purchase your EV, until you decide which is best for you. The best charging apps not only let you find nearby EV charging stations but can also provide information relating to charging speed, current rates, and availability. They also list routes that factor in points to recharge during extended drives and whether the station is compatible with your electric vehicle.
Electric car owners will find plenty of choices regarding charging apps, which is good because not one single app works perfectly for every scenario. Below is a list of the more common options out there. There are plenty of other options out there, but these are what we find most drivers use.
1. PlugShare
PlugShare helps users find EV charging stations — including Tesla Superchargers — locally or on road trips. It’s known as a must-have app because it features more than 600,000 EV charging stations across a cross-section of networks, including ChargePoint, Electrify America, EVgo, EV Connect, and more.
You can filter the choices by plug type, and it provides real-time availability. It allows the user to plan road trips, bookmark locations, share live updates, and get charging tips from other users. Even though you can pay for charging in the app at participating locations, many people keep other apps on their phones for convenience.
2. ChargePoint
ChargePoint offers a network of more than 163,000 activated ports. With the app, you can locate and charge at stations from other major networks in real-time with updates about your charging status. You can also use your account to charge at FLO, EVgo, and other stations.
The app lets you see tips and advice from other users about specific charging stations you may use along your route. For those who use ChargePoint home chargers, the app allows you to schedule your charging and reminders, track usage, and more.
3. Electrify America
Many people download Electrify America in addition to other apps because it focuses on Level 3 DC fast chargers.
The app sends notifications when chargers open up and identifies those available, including Level 2. You can track your charging status and get notified when your electric car reaches a desired state of charge. You can start or stop your charging session remotely.
4. Volta
Volta is one of the largest U.S. networks of free EV chargers. The app can check availability and locate the chargers at malls, shopping centers, and other retailers. It also tells you the charger level and connector types it accepts and how long you can charge for free. You can also report issues, provide suggestions for improvement, and more.
5. ChargeHub
ChargeHub is another popular app that allows users to locate EV charging stations from a variety of networks, including Tesla, ChargePoint, and more. It’s highly user-friendly and provides real-time information on charging speeds, availability, and pricing. ChargeHub is ideal for road trip planning as it includes tools to map out your charging stops based on your vehicle’s range. The app also integrates user reviews, so you can get firsthand insights from fellow EV drivers about the quality and reliability of different charging stations. You can even pay for charging directly through the app at supported locations.
With these apps, your EV road trips will be smoother and less stressful, giving you peace of mind when finding charging spots along the way.
These apps allow EV drivers to locate both Level 2 and 3 DC Fast Charging stations. Additionally, these apps provide insights into charging speed (kilowatts) and station availability. Moreover, you can monitor charging progress remotely, help with route planning, and even enable reservation of a charging spot at a specific time. Some even let you connect with fellow EV drivers to share useful information about charging stations and offer various travel advice.
The answer starts with where you live and the electric car you drive. This holds for any electric vehicle, no matter the manufacturer. The electric car you drive likely offers an available app specific to the vehicle or the manufacturer’s lineup of EVs. That’s a great starting point, though browsing charging apps that make the most sense for your driving needs is the ideal way to go. Downloading several apps can be helpful, particularly for extended road trips or when you first purchase your EV, until you decide which is best for you. The best charging apps not only let you find nearby EV charging stations but can also provide information relating to charging speed, current rates, and availability. They also list routes that factor in points to recharge during extended drives and whether the station is compatible with your electric vehicle.
Electric car owners will find plenty of choices regarding charging apps, which is good because not one single app works perfectly for every scenario. Below is a list of the more common options out there. There are plenty of other options out there, but these are what we find most drivers use.
1. PlugShare
PlugShare helps users find EV charging stations — including Tesla Superchargers — locally or on road trips. It’s known as a must-have app because it features more than 600,000 EV charging stations across a cross-section of networks, including ChargePoint, Electrify America, EVgo, EV Connect, and more.
You can filter the choices by plug type, and it provides real-time availability. It allows the user to plan road trips, bookmark locations, share live updates, and get charging tips from other users. Even though you can pay for charging in the app at participating locations, many people keep other apps on their phones for convenience.
2. ChargePoint
ChargePoint offers a network of more than 163,000 activated ports. With the app, you can locate and charge at stations from other major networks in real-time with updates about your charging status. You can also use your account to charge at FLO, EVgo, and other stations.
The app lets you see tips and advice from other users about specific charging stations you may use along your route. For those who use ChargePoint home chargers, the app allows you to schedule your charging and reminders, track usage, and more.
3. Electrify America
Many people download Electrify America in addition to other apps because it focuses on Level 3 DC fast chargers.
The app sends notifications when chargers open up and identifies those available, including Level 2. You can track your charging status and get notified when your electric car reaches a desired state of charge. You can start or stop your charging session remotely.
4. Volta
Volta is one of the largest U.S. networks of free EV chargers. The app can check availability and locate the chargers at malls, shopping centers, and other retailers. It also tells you the charger level and connector types it accepts and how long you can charge for free. You can also report issues, provide suggestions for improvement, and more.
5. ChargeHub
ChargeHub is another popular app that allows users to locate EV charging stations from a variety of networks, including Tesla, ChargePoint, and more. It’s highly user-friendly and provides real-time information on charging speeds, availability, and pricing. ChargeHub is ideal for road trip planning as it includes tools to map out your charging stops based on your vehicle’s range. The app also integrates user reviews, so you can get firsthand insights from fellow EV drivers about the quality and reliability of different charging stations. You can even pay for charging directly through the app at supported locations.
With these apps, your EV road trips will be smoother and less stressful, giving you peace of mind when finding charging spots along the way.