Finding an EV charging station can feel overwhelming. Unlike gas stations, locating a suitable EV charger requires considering factors like charger availability, charging speed, and connector compatibility with your vehicle. Fortunately, numerous dedicated EV charging apps, along with improved functionalities in Apple Maps and Google Maps, simplify the process of finding nearby charging stations. Car manufacturers and charging networks also offer their own specialized apps. The ideal app depends on your vehicle and charging preferences. This article explores some of the top EV charging apps available.
ChargeHub: A Comprehensive EV Charging Solution
ChargeHub is a valuable tool for EV drivers. Like PlugShare, it’s not affiliated with a specific charging network. Instead, it aggregates data from various networks, providing a comprehensive overview of charging stations in your area. Beyond displaying charging locations on a map, ChargeHub allows filtering by plug type, charging speed, network, and more. This allows you to pinpoint stations that offer your car’s fastest charging capabilities. ChargeHub also facilitates route planning with charging stops, although some bugs were encountered during testing when filtering stations during route planning. Adding your car model enables automatic filtering of incompatible stations. The app boasts a modern, colorful, and user-friendly design.
PlugShare: A Community-Driven EV Charging Resource
Similar to ChargeHub, PlugShare aggregates data from multiple charging networks. While the interface isn’t as modern and contains more ads, it appears to have fewer bugs. Both apps are free, so trying both is recommended. PlugShare offers similar functionalities, allowing you to view nearby charging stations, plan trips, and add your car model for refined results. A valuable community feature allows users to check in at stations and provide updates on their operational status.
Electrify America: Managing Your Electrify America Charging Experience
Electrify America offers a robust DC fast charging network and a dedicated app. This app is ideal for paying at Electrify America stations and monitoring charging progress remotely. It also manages Electrify Home chargers. While lacking route planning, it integrates with CarPlay and Android Auto for convenient station searching and navigation.
ChargePoint: Streamlined Charging with the ChargePoint Network
The ChargePoint app is designed for users of the ChargePoint network. It displays nearby ChargePoint stations and conveniently shows charger availability at a glance. Filtering by charging speed and availability is supported. While it displays chargers from other networks, this functionality is limited. ChargePoint’s partnership with EVGo allows viewing EVGo stations within the app.
EVgo: Rewards and Charging with the EVgo Network
The EVgo app offers similar features to other network-specific apps. It displays nearby EVgo stations with at-a-glance charger availability. Filtering by plug type, charging speed, and other criteria is supported. The partnership with ChargePoint enables viewing ChargePoint stations within the EVgo app. Uniquely, EVgo offers a rewards program where points earned from using EVgo chargers can be redeemed for free charging.
