Best EV charging apps in the UK

Electric vehicles are increasingly popular, prompting the emergence of numerous apps aimed at simplifying the driving experience. Our carefully curated compilation showcases the finest EV charging apps tailored for electric vehicle owners in the UK. These apps cover a wide array of functions, including locating charging points and planning optimal routes for efficiency. Additionally, they provide information on whether chargers are Level 2 or 3 DC fast charging stations, as well as details such as available kilowatts and charger availability.

Before purchasing an electric vehicle, drivers need to consider charging logistics and options such as home charging, workplace facilities, or conveniently located public stations. They seek solutions for diverse charging needs, be it for longer journeys or daily commutes for high-mileage drivers. Charging apps play a pivotal role in this decision-making process, aiding users in locating trustworthy, highly-rated charging stations compatible with their EVs. Moreover, these apps assist in finding cost-effective charging options.

While a majority of fast chargers now support contactless payments, around 90% of other charging stations necessitate RFID (radio frequency identification) cards or specific apps for activation. This poses a dilemma for drivers: whether to carry multiple cards, clutter their smartphones with various apps, or opt for aggregator services that streamline the process. These services enable users to locate and pay for charging across different brands using a single app or card, thereby simplifying the charging experience.

In this blog, we explore different EV charging apps, enabling you to make an informed decision when choosing the perfect EV charging app for your smartphone based on your needs.

ZapMap

Zap-Map stands as the most favoured EV charging app, boasting 1.5 million downloads and 800,000 registered users since its inception in 2014. Renowned for its extensive range of charging options across the UK, approximately 70% of the chargers featured on the app display real-time availability status. With tens of thousands of charging points scattered throughout the country, Zap-Map reassures drivers during lengthy journeys.

What does the Zapmap App do?

The app offers customisable journey planning to suit individual preferences. Users can select from three routing methods within the app: Autoroute, Suggest Chargers, and Show all Chargers, each offering varying levels of guidance. Opting for "Show All Chargers" allows for personalised route planning, while "Autoroute" delegates the planning responsibility to Zap-Map.

An appealing feature of the app is the convenience of "Zap-Pay" for seamless payment. Initiating charging is as simple as opening the Zap-Map app, selecting the desired point on the map, clicking "check-in," opting for Zap-Pay, and connecting the charging cable to the vehicle. This streamlined payment process occurs directly within the app while charging.

Zap-Map also has a community-driven aspect to the app, which allows users to share updates with fellow EV drivers. Whether sharing charging experiences or discovering highly-rated locations from other drivers, the platform fosters collaboration within the UK's charging ecosystem. Contributing to this ecosystem is made easy by adding home and work chargers to the map, while the app's EV cafe provides a platform for leaving comments about specific charge points.

Do I need to pay for Zapmap Premium?

For an additional fee, users can access Zap-Map Premium, which enhances the user experience by facilitating the discovery of suitable charging points and promoting efficient driving. Premium features include filters for new charge points, locations with multiple chargers, and integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, allowing for real-time status checks and route planning while on the road. Users can also save multiple filters, route plans, and EV models. While Zap-Map Premium offers saved routes, its added value compared to the Free version may be limited, considering the extensive features already available in the free version.

PlugShare

PlugShare reigns as the premier app for EV drivers, functioning as a community-driven tool that directs users to public charging locations worldwide. Available on IOS, Apple Watch, Android, and the web, PlugShare thrives on extensive driver engagement, boasting over 5,800,000 crowd-sourced reviews and over 725,000 driver photos. Its global public charging map stands as the most accurate and comprehensive, encompassing stations from major networks across North America, Europe, and many other regions. With the largest community of EV drivers globally, PlugShare remains a top choice among users.

How does PlugShare work?

PlugShare's popularity and success stem from crowdsourcing, drawing insights from EV drivers, networks, and industry partners. The app offers a robust API for custom applications and relies on user-generated data for its unique features. Additionally, PlugShare Research, a subsidiary branch, conducts custom surveys and qualitative research, producing detailed reports for various stakeholders in the EV industry. Powered by Pluginsights, a proprietary EV survey research panel with over 63,000 members, PlugShare Research delivers valuable insights.

The PlugShare Dashboard serves as a user-friendly tool for Charging Network Operators and other stakeholders to monitor and manage locations. Featuring a simple interface, the dashboard enables operators to address service issues, make announcements, and manage maintenance notices. Operators can utilise features like "Pay with PlugShare" and receive email notifications for new reviews, photos, or edits.

Furthermore, PlugShare offers a Data Tool that grants businesses and government entities access to comprehensive EV charging station databases. Clients leverage this database for market research, infrastructure planning, charging site prospecting, and public agency reporting. PlugShare covers over 70,000 publicly accessible EV charging stations in North America alone.

Is there a premium feature?

No, there is no PlugShare Premium feature. Its user-friendly interface and community-driven approach mean that PlugShare remains a free and intuitive tool for EV enthusiasts seeking an app driven by the EV community.

PlugSurfing

Plugsurfing boasts a user base of over 1.5 million drivers, making it the largest in Europe, with a core mission of simplifying public charging across the continent. Offering details on more than 600,000 charging stations, the app provides accurate and real-time information on factors such as pricing and availability, ensuring seamless charging experiences for users.

How does PlugSurfing work?

Unlike owning or operating charging infrastructure, Plugsurfing collaborates with roaming partners to consolidate various charging networks into a single user interface. By partnering with Plugsurfing, businesses delegate tasks such as customer support, issue resolution, and payments, ensuring consistent user experiences both domestically and internationally.

For drivers, the Plugsurfing app aids in locating the most suitable charging stations based on criteria like pricing, availability, and compatibility. The app features a secure payment system, rated as the most reliable in the market. Users have the option to pay within the app or through a dedicated charging key or card. Upon joining the app, users can request their charging key or card, granting access to payment at any partner charging station across Europe.

ChargePoint

ChargePoint is available in North America and Europe and they provide full-stack solutions of hardware, software, services and support. They are not only an app but also a charging network, which has been going for a decade and millions of charges have been delivered.

How does the ChargePoint app work?

The app offers a global charging solution, equipped with customizable filters allowing users to search based on charging speeds and connectors. From pricing details to driver insights and photos, users gain comprehensive information about stations before arrival. Payment methods are flexible, including options such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, or credit/debit cards. Additionally, the app features remote start functionality for instant charging initiation, enhancing convenience and control over charging activities.

Furthermore, users can personalize their charging experience by integrating the app with their everyday technology. Compatibility extends to widgets, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Apple Watch, and WearOS by Google, as well as voice assistants like Siri and Alexa, ensuring seamless integration into users' daily routines.

Does ChargePoint have a premium feature?

No - the ChargePoint app is free and a great way to navigate the charge points near you. The fact you can pay in the app and add it to any device you wish is a great feature.

Paua

Paua stands as the UK's pioneering Electric Fuel Card, seamlessly integrated with an app and fleet management dashboard, providing access to an extensive network of over 43,000 charge points across the UK.

Who is Paua designed for?

Opting for Paua equips businesses with access to an EV charging network comprising 20+ providers and over 43,000 charge points, including prominent names such as Osprey, Shell, Ionity, and more. This offering is particularly advantageous for businesses because:

It eliminates the need to reimburse multiple driver receipts, streamlining administrative processes with a single monthly invoice for the entire fleet.
Employers can achieve a 20% savings by accurately recovering VAT.
Charging becomes hassle-free for drivers, as the app and card seamlessly operate across every charge point within the network.
Carbon emissions are reduced through guaranteed renewable power in every network.

A key unique selling point (USP) of Paua lies in its ability to address common challenges associated with compensating business drivers. The Paua app, in tandem with the Charge Card, empowers drivers to locate charge points wherever they are. Charging can be initiated using either the app or the card, with the flexibility to stop the charge session at any time using either method.

How much does it cost?

The entry-level Paua Charge package is priced at £3 per month, providing access to essential features including a Paua card and app for each driver, access to over 43,000 charge points, support for multiple drivers, consolidated VAT receipt, and a comprehensive fleet manager dashboard. Additionally, there are advanced packages known as Paua Reimburse and the Enterprise Package, but you will need to enquire for further pricing.

WattsUp

WattsUp stands out as a helpful EV route planner and charging companion, providing users with precise distances, up-to-date charger information, and effortless visibility into available charging options.

What does WattsUp give me?

With WattsUp, users can confidently navigate their chosen routes, assured of comprehensive and accurate charging details. The app is optimised to run seamlessly on mobile devices during travel, offering real-time information and highlighting the nearest rapid chargers from the user’s location. Notably, Watts Up employs intelligent filters to display only rapid charging connectors compatible with the user's EV.

This versatile tool operates in the UK, Ireland, and New Zealand, offering compatibility with Apple CarPlay functionality. Please note, however, that iOS 14 is required for this feature. It is important to note that Watts Up is not currently available through Android Auto.

Bonnet

Bonnet offers a comprehensive solution aimed at alleviating range anxiety and simplifying the process of locating nearby EV charging points. Through partnerships with charging points across the UK and Europe, Bonnet provides access to thousands of charging points along with pricing details and innovative features. The app offers options tailored for both individual drivers and businesses.

Can businesses use Bonnet?

Businesses can join Bonnet either as a partner or use it for their fleet management needs. The Dash feature allows businesses to monitor their employees' charging activities across the Bonnet network through a single monthly invoice, providing comprehensive data on all drivers. This centralized system eliminates the need for managing multiple expenses, ensures compliance with HMRC and VAT regulations, facilitates ESG reporting, and accommodates every EV and mobile charging device. Additionally, drivers can utilise the Bonnet app to access charging networks, benefitting from features such as compatibility and real-time availability updates. Bonnet presents an ideal solution for fleet managers seeking streamlined management processes, offering everything in one convenient platform for easy management.

How much does it cost?

For individual drivers, Bonnet offers three distinct plans.

The first, Free PAYG, grants access to over 400,000 chargers, with PAYG rates set by charging networks and displayed for each charger on the app. However, users with this plan do not have access to Boost benefits or additional features.

The Light Boost plan, priced at £2 per month, offers a 10% discount off PAYG rates set by charging networks for every charge, along with boost charging rewards and live charging status updates.
The Turbo Boost plan, priced at £8 per month, provides a 15% discount off PAYG rates, charging rewards, live charging status updates, and access to an enhanced and customisable route planner.

Pod Point

Pod Point is renowned for its expertise in home charging solutions, yet its app offers a valuable resource for EV drivers with access to over 9,200 charging bays across the UK. The app empowers users to schedule charging sessions, monitor energy usage, and track costs. Moreover, users can conveniently access workplace and fleet charging, facilitating easy use of their company's charging infrastructure. Notably, a significant portion of charging activity occurs at home, with over 75,000 drivers using charger scheduling every week.

What does the Pod Point App do?

For optimal efficiency, home charging is emphasised, with the Pod Point app providing insights into charge history, costs, and kWh consumption, alongside information on public and workplace charging. Upon pairing the charger with the app, an overnight default schedule is automatically applied on weekends.

The app is designed to facilitate on-the-go charging, tailored for smartphones with no membership fees or subscription requirements. While some of the network's charging points are free to use, for others, users can conveniently top-up and pay as they charge through the app. Additionally, the app provides real-time charge point availability, public charging tariff details, and directions to the nearest charge point via Google Maps. Users can save their favourite charge points, filter by charging speed, and access EV zones.

What is the best feature of the app?

A standout feature of the Pod Point app is its provision of localised carbon intensity forecasts from the National Grid. Users can access a 48-hour forecast of the National Grid's carbon intensity profile in their region, enabling informed decisions on when to charge. By opting for charging during periods of lower carbon intensity, users can further reduce their carbon footprint.

This app is particularly beneficial for individuals with Pod Point chargers installed at their homes or workplaces, offering a comprehensive solution for charging management and sustainability-conscious decision-making.

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