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Popular EV Charging Apps in the UK
If you are an EV driver in the UK, then you should know that one of the critical aspects of owning an electric car is the charging process. Nowadays, it is easy to find an electric vehicle charging station, and you can use your smartphone to locate them quickly. The question is, what EV charging apps are available in the UK? We’ve rounded up some of the most popular EV charging apps in the UK.
Zap-Map
If you ask around, Zap-Map is probably the most popular EV charging app in the UK. This app provides access to all public EV charging stations across the country, including those operated by the major network providers. With Zap-Map, you can filter search results by connection type, speed, cost, and network. Additionally, you can also view real-time availability and status information, as well as submit your reviews, ratings, and photos of the charging stations.
Polar Instant
If you want to join one of the best charging networks in the UK, the Polar Electric network is the way to go. Their EV charging app, Polar Instant, is a great tool for keeping track of your charging sessions, monitoring your energy consumption, and locating Polar’s charging stations. With the Polar Instant app, all the pricing is transparent, and you pay for what you use without any additional membership fees or contracts.
Pod Point
The Pod Point EV charging app is an excellent tool for EV drivers who regularly drive around cities or urban areas. Pod Point focuses on providing charging stations in convenient locations like restaurants, shops, and parking areas. With the Pod Point app, you can locate their charging stations easily and even make a reservation if necessary. The app also provides charging progress notifications and alerts once your session is complete.
ChargePlace Scotland
If you’re driving around Scotland, the ChargePlace Scotland EV charging app should be on your list. This app provides access to the majority of Scotland’s public EV charging network, as well as up-to-date information regarding station availability, location, and status information. The ChargePlace Scotland app also offers real-time pricing information, which makes it easier to plan your charging sessions when on the road.
NM Engage
If you want a reliable EV charging app that you can use nationwide, then NM Engage might be a great choice for you. This app provides real-time information regarding charging sessions, station availability, location, pricing, and more. Once you download the app, you can easily access the charging network of one of the largest charging station providers in the UK.
Wrapping up, if you’re an EV owner in the UK, installing an EV charging app on your smartphone is a must. With these apps, you can locate charging stations, view information like prices, network, and status, and manage your charging sessions. The apps mentioned above are some of the most popular EV charging apps you can use in the UK, so pick one and enjoy the ride.
Features to Consider in EV Charging Apps
Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly popular, with many people now choosing to drive an electric car over a traditional internal combustion engine vehicle. But while EVs offer numerous benefits such as lower running costs and better environmental credentials, one of the biggest concerns for drivers is range anxiety. This is where EV charging apps come in handy. These apps provide drivers with up-to-date information on EV charging stations near to them, along with details on charging times, costs, and availability. Here are some features to consider when choosing an EV charging app:
1. Search Functionality
One of the most important features of any EV charging app is the search functionality. Drivers need to be able to find an EV charging station quickly and easily, so the app should be able to search by location or postcode. Some apps also let you filter results based on the type of charging station, such as rapid or fast charging, or by the charging cable connector type.
2. Real-Time Information
While searching for the nearest charging station is important, it’s equally important to know if the station is currently in use, how long it will take for a charging point to become available, and updates on the status of the charging process. This is where real-time information comes in. A good EV charging app should provide the driver with real-time information on the availability and status of the charging station, removing the risk of making a long journey to a charging point only to find it is out of service or already being used.
3. Payment Integration
Paying for charging sessions can be a pain, especially if there are multiple payment providers involved. Many EV charging apps now offer payment integration, which allows the driver to pay for the charging sessions directly from the app, removing the need to carry around multiple payment cards or remember login details for various charging networks. This feature is particularly useful if you regularly travel outside of your usual charging network.
4. Reviews and Ratings
Just like any app or service, it’s helpful to know what other people think of it before you use it. A good EV charging app should provide users with reviews and ratings of the charging stations, giving drivers an idea of the quality, reliability, and cleanliness of the facilities. This information can be useful for planning longer journeys and stops along the way.
5. Journey Planning
Journey planning is an important feature of any EV charging app. This feature allows drivers to plan their journeys and find the optimum route based on the location of charging stations. Some apps also let the driver know how long they need to stay at each charging station to reach their final destination. This feature can save drivers a lot of time, especially on longer journeys where multiple charging stops are required.
Choosing the right EV charging app can make a big difference to your EV driving experience. By considering the above features, you can find an app that will make your journeys easier and more stress-free.
User Reviews and Ratings of EV Charging Apps
EV charging apps are becoming increasingly popular as more drivers switch to electric vehicles. These apps help drivers locate EV charging stations and provide useful information about the charging points. However, not all apps are created equal, and some are better than others. In this article, we take a look at the user reviews and ratings of popular EV charging apps in the UK.
1. Zap-Map
Zap-Map is arguably one of the most popular EV charging apps in the UK, and for good reason. It has a rating of 4.7 stars on the App Store and 4.4 stars on Google Play. Users praise the app for its comprehensive map of charging stations and its ability to filter out the ones that are in use. One user writes, “Zap-Map is an excellent app! I use it every time I need to charge, and it helps me find the best charging station for my needs.” Another user adds, “The app is easy to use, and I like that it shows you the pricing information for each charging point.”
2. PlugShare
Another EV charging app that has received glowing reviews is PlugShare. It has a rating of 4.6 stars on the App Store and 4.3 stars on Google Play. Users appreciate the app’s user-friendly interface and its ability to connect them with other EV drivers. One user writes, “I love the community aspect of PlugShare. It’s great to be able to see where other EV drivers are charging and to meet other enthusiasts.” Another user adds, “The app is incredibly user-friendly, and I like that it shows you the details of each charging station.”
3. ChargePoint
ChargePoint is a popular EV charging app that has received mixed reviews from users. It has a rating of 4.2 stars on the App Store and 4.1 stars on Google Play. While some users praise the app for its user interface and the availability of charging stations, others criticize it for its inaccurate information and slow loading times. One user writes, “The app works well most of the time, but there have been a few instances where the information wasn’t accurate, and I ended up driving to a charging station that wasn’t working.” Another user adds, “The app can be slow to load, which is frustrating when you’re in a hurry.”
4. Pod Point
Pod Point is another popular EV charging app that has a rating of 4.7 stars on the App Store and 4.2 stars on Google Play. Users appreciate the app’s ability to locate charging stations and filter out those that are in use. One user writes, “Pod Point is my go-to app for finding charging stations. It’s reliable and provides accurate information.” Another user adds, “I like that the app gives me a notification when my car is fully charged.”
5. Polar Instant
Polar Instant is a well-designed EV charging app that has a rating of 4.2 stars on the App Store and 3.9 stars on Google Play. Users appreciate the app’s ability to locate charging stations and provide real-time information about their availability. However, some users criticize it for its slow loading times and occasional glitches. One user writes, “I like the app, but it can be slow to load, and sometimes it crashes. Overall, though, it’s a good app for finding charging stations.”
Conclusion
When it comes to choosing an EV charging app, it’s important to read user reviews and ratings carefully. While all of the apps mentioned in this article are popular, they have their strengths and weaknesses. Zap-Map and PlugShare are two of the highest-rated apps, and they offer a wide range of features for EV drivers. ChargePoint and Polar Instant are also popular, but users should be aware of their limitations. Ultimately, the best app for you will depend on your personal preferences and needs as an EV driver.
Comparison of EV Charging App Prices and Plans
As more and more electric vehicles hit the road, the demand for EV charging stations continues to rise. Fortunately, there are many EV charging apps available to help drivers locate charging stations and manage their charging sessions. However, not all EV charging apps are created equal, and prices and plans vary widely between them.
Here, we look at the best EV charging apps in the UK and compare their prices and plans:
Zap-Map
Zap-Map offers two plans: Basic and Premium. The basic plan is free and allows users to locate charging points, check availability, and access basic information about charging stations. The premium plan costs £3.99 per month and offers additional features such as real-time updates, charging history, and route planning. However, Zap-Map fees an additional 1% fee on top of your charging costs.
ChargePoint
ChargePoint offers a free app that lets users locate charging stations, start and stop charging, and make payments for charging sessions. However, some charging stations have additional fees beyond the ChargePoint fee and ChargePoint does not show pricing information for all charging stations.
Ecotricity
Ecotricity’s app allows users to locate charging stations, start and stop charging, and manage their accounts. The app is free to download, but users must sign up for an Ecotricity energy account and pay a £3 per month membership fee to access the charging network. However, the membership fee can be waived by simply using Ecotricity as your energy supplier.
Polar
Polar offers two plans: Basic and Plus. The basic plan is free and allows users to locate charging stations and start and stop charging sessions. The Plus plan costs £7.85 per month and offers unlimited charging sessions at Polar charging stations. Plus plan also allows to access the largest UK network of public chargers.–apart from 150kW ultra-fast charger.
Pod Point
The Pod Point app lets users locate charging stations and start and stop charging sessions. Users also receive free access to Pod Point’s 7kW charge points, with pricing for faster charging points starting at 25p per kWh. The app is free to download, but some charging stations have additional fees beyond the Pod Point fee.
While the availability and pricing of EV charging apps vary, they all offer the convenience of finding and accessing EV charging stations. So choose one depending on your personal needs and preferences during your EV journey!
Future Innovation in EV Charging App Technology
Electrical vehicle (EV) charging technology has been forecasted to go through significant innovations in the next few years. Currently, EV charging takes a considerable amount of time compared to an oil-based car. The speed, sustainability, and range of electrical vehicles have improved over the years, and as the technology develops, so do the charging systems.
One of the significant innovations expected in the EV charging technology is wireless charging. This technology eliminates the need for physical charging ports. Using this innovation, EV owners can charge their vehicles while driving or parking in designated parking bays. This technology uses electromagnetic waves that pass through air to charge an EV’s batteries.
The battery technology used in EV cars is currently the same that’s used in other industries. However, advancements are being made to develop batteries specifically for EVs. Solid-state batteries are the most anticipated innovation expected in EV technology. They are expected to improve the range of an EV and have a lifespan that’s much longer than the current battery. They are also safer and much smaller than the current battery. This innovation will ultimately make EV charging more efficient and practical than it already is.
The charging station networks are also undergoing significant improvements. The installation of more charging stations and widespread adoption in both domestic and commercial areas has been boosting the market. Currently, charging stations are limited to specific locations. However, the use of mobile charging units or portable batteries will change the scene. EV owners can charge their cars anywhere, anytime, making EV charging much more accessible and convenient.
Smart charging systems are also another innovation in the EV charging technology. These systems enable EV owners to choose the time they want to charge their vehicle, taking into account time-of-use electricity tariffs. For instance, some electricity providers offer lower rates during off-peak hours, encouraging EV owners to charge their car during those hours. Smart charging results in financial savings and reduced energy consumption, leading to more sustainable charging systems in the future.
EV charging apps have played an essential role in making the charging system more efficient and user-friendly. These apps have been regularly improved to meet the EV owners’ needs and offer a hassle-free charging experience. The future will witness further developments in EV charging apps to make them more user-specific and flexible. For instance, apps that offer real-time information about available charging bays, charging rates can be expected, making the charging process more transparent and accessible.
In conclusion, the future of the EV charging system lies in technology innovation that will offer fast, efficient, and sustainable solutions. Wireless charging, smart charging systems, portable batteries, solid-state batteries, and innovative charging apps will significantly impact the EV charging technology. These innovations signal a shift towards a more sustainable future, and as technological advancements are made, the present barriers in the industry will eventually disappear.