New to electric cars and need a helping hand to get you from A to B safely, fully charged and fully rested? EV apps are here to help drivers.
We’ve drawn up a quick summary of the best EV apps in the UK that tell you the best place to park up, plug-in, snooze, and even when – or if – it’s the right time for you to make the switch to electric.
Best apps for EV drivers in the UK
EV8 Switch
Launched by the UK government, the EV8 Switch app shows if transitioning to an EV is the right option for you by outlining how to reduce your carbon footprint, how much money you could save and by making bespoke EV recommendations.
Compare EVs against your existing vehicle, monitoring your current journeys to unlock personalised advice and recommendations.
ChargePoint
The ChargePoint app helps EV drivers find designated ChargePoint chargers but can also find stations from the other major networks, too – and particularly useful if you’re looking for EV apps for a summer road trip in Europe or North America, too.
It will show you where the stations are, how much they are (some are free), how many kilowatts of speed you may get and whether they are in use.
Activate charging sessions from your smartphone by just tapping it on the station. In-app notifications will then pop up giving real-time updates about your charging status.
EVHotels
The EVHotels app simplifies travel plans by providing drivers with a map of 250,000 accommodation options worldwide that have charge points either on-site or within a set walking distance. Both free public chargers and those limited to hotel guests are noted.
The maps can be customised and filtered, selecting your favourite hotel brands, set your car plug type and your preferred walking distance between public EV chargers and hotels.
EVHotels is available for £2.49 on Apple IOS and Android.
JustPark
As the UK’s largest parking network with over 45,000 locations, JustPark essentially connects drivers with parking spaces.
Whether you’re looking for a parking spot or have a driveway you’d like to rent out, JustPark is the app you need.
Parking space availability is provided in real-time and you can process pre-booking and payment within a single account.
Better yet, EV drivers that have a home parking space and charger can earn an income by sharing this with the public on JustPark’s platform.
WhenToPlugIn
The UK’s electrical grid has said it will achieve net zero CO2 emissions by 2025. Until then, the company’s WhenToPlugIn app will show the best time to plug-in your EV to get the cleanest energy. This is energy that is generated when a high proportion of renewable infrastructure is feeding the grid.
The app allows users to monitor the generation types that make up your electricity supply, it shows how the electricity is being generated in real-time and notifies you about record low carbon intensity.
There will be occasions when our electrical use is inflexible, but changing routines to avoid peak strains on the grid when fossil energy is likely to kick-in, is an essential part of making the most of your EV.
- A full rundown of the best EV apps can be found at the electric car subscription website Elmo Drive.
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