The 7 Best EV Charging Apps | Reviews + Buyer’s Guide (2022)
Every time you charge your car, you create a public data record about your vehicle and/or the charging station that it plugs into. In many states, the data is stored on the vehicle itself, and in some places, it can be stored on a cloud server. That’s because you’re allowed to keep your EV’s information on the car, or at least not destroy it. However, some states require you to purge your vehicle’s data after 180 days. And while your state may have rules about this, some charge that having to delete the data violates your privacy.
Today, it’s hard to know which state is going to be the toughest when it comes to the sharing of EV charging data. Some states have very explicit laws protecting your right to keep your data private. For example, Virginia protects you from both state and federal government agencies. But other states have very loose privacy laws and it may be a bit difficult to figure out how to protect your information from government and law enforcement agencies.
But let’s look at the states that don’t seem to be too worried about your privacy. For this, we are going to list 7 one of the best EV charging apps:
1. ChargePoint
Available for free on iOS & Android
ChargePoint is the number 1 charging app in the U.S. It has an impressive 30 million members, covering 8 different charging stations worldwide. The app does a great job of listing the stations with their current availability and rate information. You can connect your account to Google Calendar or Outlook and the ChargePoint app is even synced to Tesla’s Supercharger. The app will even remind you to charge your car before you leave for vacation.
2. Electrify America
Available for free on iOS & Android
These days, Electrify America is one of the biggest EV charging networks in the world. They cover nearly 1,200 stations throughout the United States and at least 10 cities. Their recent developments are that their charging stations are now 400 watts and free of charge for the first year. Their paid service is called ChargePoint Plus and it’s similar to a Netflix subscription. You pay monthly in small (and large) payments and they let you keep the electricity meter for the length of your contract.
3. EVgo
Available for free on iOS & Android
EVgo offers charging stations to the public and they have more than 900 charging stations across 29 states. They have their mobile apps, but they also offer options to just use the Google Maps Navigation feature. If you’re worried about your EV being stolen, they will offer a rental program where a company rents out your EV, complete with chargers, while you’re on vacation. EVgo also offers free towing and there are plenty of things you can do with the data you collect about your charging habits.
4. ChargePoint FastCharge
Available for free on iOS & Android
ChargePoint is one of the most recognizable brands in EV charging networks, and they own some of the top charging stations in the country. The ChargePoint FastCharge app is available for free in most areas of the country and it’s like having a ChargePoint station in your driveway. You can reserve a fast charge station and pay for the electricity as you use it. They also offer a “Restore” feature that lets you charge your car if it’s been in the shop for repairs.
5. Stromnetz
Available for free on iOS & Android
Stromnetz is another one of the top charging apps in Europe. They recently added Tesla Supercharger stations and offer paid pricing options, but their app is free and includes quite a bit of functionality. The app is available in 5 different languages and there is an option for drivers to monitor their vehicle, as well as make travel arrangements.
6. ChargePoint Flex
Available for free on iOS & Android
ChargePoint Flex works with the ChargePoint network of stations. There are currently 6 different payment options available for you to choose from Cash, Credit, Debit, PayPal, Fuel Card, and Bill Pay. With ChargePoint Flex, you will be able to monitor your vehicle in real-time and can also view your usage. You will be able to see how many minutes you’ve used, how many kW you have used, and more. With the increased usage of charging stations across the world, it will be really interesting to see the level of functionality these apps provide over time.
7. Greenlots
Available for free on iOS & Android
Greenlots has recently expanded to a second state in the United States. They have installed EV charging stations at over 3,300 workplaces, housing developments, multi-unit residential buildings, and more. They provide a complete charging station and an online portal where you can keep track of your charging status. They also allow you to monitor your charging pattern as well as find local charging stations, as well as review your current charging habits. The app is available in the Apple App Store and Android App Store.
Other Alternatives:
The following are some of the best alternatives to the above stated EV Charging Stations:
VoltStation
VoltStation offers free charging to the public. They recently announced a partnership with the French Car Club center-sud and they provide charging station data for your area. They offer discounts on their charging station as well as EVgo. You can reserve a charging station in the app or person. You can also monitor your charging usage in real-time, as well as keep track of your charging habits.
ValetFast
ValetFast has partnered with various retailers in major cities and restaurants to provide EV charging to the public. Their app allows you to sign up for an account, and it gives you access to an entire charging network. There are about a million different charging stations available, along with charges. You can start using the stations when you’re not using them, or you can monitor your usage and charge when you need to.
RelayRides
RelayRides is an app that allows you to find and hire a car for a fee. You can drive around, find available vehicles, and pay for the service in the app. You will also be able to request a car that has the type of car that you want, so you can find it. RelayRides works with vehicles that are available from major car companies such as Ford, Audi, BMW, and many others. If you need an Uber or Lyft driver for a specific date or event, RelayRides has many cars available and drivers for hire. The app is available for download on the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.
Motortrend
Motortrend allows you to reserve a charging station in the app, or you can check for the next available charging station. The app has over 5,000 electric vehicle charging stations with over 15,000 charging locations listed. You can also keep track of your charging habits to keep your users up to date. It also has a live feed of each charging station, along with a battery life indicator for each station. You can also view hourly pricing and a list of public charging stations.
Juicestash
Juicestash has an app available for both iOS and Android, but you can download the app for free on either. The app allows you to track your driving habits, the amount of juice you’re saving, the time it takes you to charge your car, and even a video of your drive to show how you’re saving time. It also allows you to search for electric cars and find a charging station for you in your area.
AutoSlash
AutoSlash allows you to search for a charging station, a nearby charger, or the nearest gas station. You can find charging stations by city, state, and country. The app allows you to find the cheapest gasoline prices, find an EV charging station for your area, and find a charging station that’s free for your car. You can find out the best places to charge, how much it costs, the current pricing, the hourly pricing, and more. There are a ton of great apps to help you find EV charging stations, but it’s nice to have one to help you find and book a car.
Roadtrippers
Roadtrippers is a very interesting app that allows you to find your route, search for an electric car from a manufacturer or car company that you choose, and find the nearest charging station. The app also allows you to add to your trip the things that you can do while on the way. You can also see information about the environment, and local attractions, and you can also take pictures of your EV charging stations.
NEXGEN
NEXGEN is a popular resource for electric car owners. The app allows you to find charging stations, and charge times, and keep track of your drive to work or school. It also has a gas calculator that allows you to estimate how much money you would save by using electricity instead of gas, and how much time you would save. It also allows you to sign up for a charger, view a charge history, and schedule charging times for your car.
FrysWireless
FrysWireless provides an app that lets you search for a nearby charging station. You can find charging stations in a given area, and there’s also a countdown timer so you know how much time is left on your charge. It also shows how much power you’ve saved with the charge, your drive efficiency, and a video of your drive to show how much longer your drive takes. It also shows what type of EV is charging at the station and the charging station shows an estimated charge time so that you can plan for your drive to work.
Benefits of EV Charging App
If you want to learn more about using an electric car and charging it, check out these top 5 benefits:
#1 – Reduce or Eliminate Gas Bill
If you live in a neighborhood that doesn’t have a charging station, you’re wasting a lot of gas that could be used to help you save money or lessen your carbon footprint. Use an electric car to help you save gas, reduce your carbon footprint, and be more eco-friendly.
#2 – Keep Up with Your Electrics
It can be hard to keep track of your car and your drivers. With an app like this, you can keep track of the charge time so that you know exactly when you’re going to get back in your car. You can also schedule a charge day so that you know when you’re going to charge your car.
#3 – Save Money
If you’re a homeowner and you want to use your car in your home, you need to have a charging station. You can go through this list of where you can charge your car.
#4 – Save Time
You can reserve a time to charge your car at home, so you don’t have to go out of your way to charge your car. You also won’t need to wait for your car to charge.
#5 – Preserve the Environment
These days, the entire electric grid needs to be re-calibrated to accommodate more EVs. If you can find a way to reduce your carbon footprint, you’re helping the environment.
The Bottom Line
There are many different ways to find an electric car, and some of them require apps. There are many different types of electric cars, and finding a car that is the right one for you can be hard. It’s best to do your research on these types of cars so that you’re able to make an informed decision on what to purchase. There are so many options out there that it’s hard to find the perfect car, but these apps are an easy way to narrow down the options and find the right EV for you.
Have you downloaded any electric car charging apps? Do you use one of these apps? How do they work? How do you find a charge station?
Stay safe and sound!