20 Best Apps for Electric Car Owners

Introduction

Embrace the future of driving with the best apps for electric car owners. These essential smartphone tools are designed to enhance your electric vehicle (EV) experience, offering easy access to charging stations, efficient route planning, and vehicle management. As electric cars gain popularity, the range of available apps is growing rapidly. In this guide, we've curated the top 20 apps that every driver should have to simplify their journey and maximise the benefits of EV ownership.

Best EV Charging Apps for Electric Cars

Bonnet

Bonnet is a comprehensive EV app that assists drivers in locating charging points not only across the UK but also throughout Europe. Voted the Best Electric Car App of 2023, it simplifies the process by integrating over 400,000 public charging points into a single platform across locations like France, Italy, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, and more. 

We work in unison with more than 600 different networks, constantly expanding to include more partners. This extensive coverage makes powering-up EVs accessible to everyone, not just those with private driveways. Hence, you can effortlessly locate points in our partners’ networks, connect your vehicle, and pay for the service using only our app, regardless of the provider.

Here’s a closer look at what we offer: 

• User-Friendly Interface: Bonnet is designed for simplicity, ensuring that users can easily find stations, filter based on their car’s requirements, initiate charging sessions, and handle payments within the app. This user-friendly approach aligns with our philosophy of making EV charging as straightforward as possible.
• Real-Time Charger Reliability Updates: The app provides 24/7 live updates, ensuring users don't encounter unusable or unreliable points.
• Cost-Effective Charging with Bonnet Boosts: Bonnet offers a unique feature called 'Bonnet Boosts', a monthly membership that guarantees savings on the pay-as-you-go rate and provides exclusive rewards to members. There are two options available – Light Boost and Turbo Boost, catering to different user needs and offering savings of up to 15% on every charge.
• Rewards Program: Users can earn up to £20 in charging credit for every eight reward points collected through various in-app actions. This rewards program adds an extra layer of value.
• Comprehensive Route Planning: Bonnet includes a fully customisable electric car route planner, ensuring users are directed to working points and can plan their journeys efficiently across the UK and Europe.
• Fleet Services: We also cater to fleets of electric cars and vans, offering services like Dash for fleet management and Alternator for integrating Bonnet EV charging into business apps.
• Customer Support: We provide in-app support seven days a week, 365 days a year, ensuring users have access to assistance whenever needed.

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Interested? Join a community of over 100,000 drivers enjoying the most simple and reliable experience. Available on both the App Store and Google Play, Bonnet is your go-to solution for EV charging, whether you're at home or traversing across Europe.

Zap-Map

Zap-Map is another popular EV app that assists drivers in locating charging points across the UK, and is also expanding to cover locations throughout Europe. This expansion offers a wide range of options for EV drivers, ensuring they find stations that are right for their needs.

• Real-Time Information: The app provides current status updates for each power-up location, letting users know which points are available in real-time. 
• EV Route Planner: Zap-Map includes an EV route planner, showing where to stop on longer routes, the availability of stations in those areas, and the estimated time needed.
• Community-Driven Insights: The app benefits from an engaged community of drivers who share their experiences and knowledge, helping others better understand the EV charging landscape.
• Zap-Pay Integration: Users can pay for their sessions directly from the app, simplifying the payment process and making it hassle-free.
• Subscription Benefits: While the free version offers basic functionalities, Zap-Map Premium provides enhanced features like filtering for new points, multi-charger locations, user ratings, and more detailed location types. Premium users can also save unlimited user filters, route plans, and enjoy ad-free app usage.
  Apple CarPlay Compatibility: For an even more convenient experience, the app is available on Apple CarPlay, enabling drivers to easily find suitable power-up points, view the live status of these points, and access route plans while on the go.

ChargePoint

Boasting a global network that includes more than 100,000 charging stations, ChargePoint provides an extensive and reliable solution for EV drivers. The app is designed to make finding, using, and paying for EV powering seamless and efficient. 

• Roaming Partner Stations: Users can charge at FLO, EVgo, Greenlot, and EV Connect stations using their ChargePoint app and account, offering greater flexibility and convenience.
• Customisable Station Filters: Users can tailor their search to their specific needs, filtering for stations compatible with their vehicle and choosing between AC or DC fast chargers.
• Comprehensive Station Information: The app provides detailed information about each powering location, including availability, pricing, popular times, and driver tips.
• Complete Charging Activity Tracking: It tracks all user history and trends, including miles added and cost, allowing them to manage both public and home charging in one app.
• Live Updates and Notifications: The app sends real-time notifications about charging status, including when a spot becomes available, when the car is fully powered, and the cost of a session.
• Convenient Widgets: ChargePoint offers widgets for finding nearby stations, managing home charging, and more, accessible from the Lock screen, Home screen, Standby mode, and macOS.
• Virtual Waitlist Feature: Drivers can reserve a spot from anywhere using the virtual Waitlist feature, adding to the convenience.‍
• Community-Driven Insights: The app benefits from a community of drivers who share advice and photos, enhancing the user experience.

ChargeHub

ChargeHub's app displays public EV charging stations nearby, allowing users to view and share reviews about these locations. However, like many similar apps, it may include unmarked private stations or ones that are not currently active.

• Extensive Charging Station Database: ChargeHub provides access to over 120,000 electric car charging plugs across the US and Canada, ensuring widespread coverage for EV drivers.
• Comprehensive Filters and Search Options: Users can filter and search for stations based on specific criteria such as network, charging level (Level 1, Level 2, DC Fast chargers), and connector type. This customisation makes it easier for drivers to find sites that meet their specific needs.
• Google Street View Integration: To aid in locating stations, ChargeHub integrates Google Street View, allowing users to see the surroundings of an EV plug and make informed decisions.
• Direct Communication with Charging Networks: The app enables direct calls to network EVSEs (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) like ChargePoint, Tesla Supercharger, and others for more detailed information.
• Traffic Conditions and Map Customisation: Users can view traffic conditions and select the map type that best suits their preferences.
• Sharing and Community Features: Users can share complete station information and engage with the community by rating and adding comments for all public electric vehicle supply equipment.‍
• Plugshare-ing Feature: The app includes a feature to request permission from other EV users for charger use, fostering a sense of community and cooperation among drivers.

Chargeway

A user-friendly EV station locator and trip planner, Chargeway is designed to make the process easy for everyone. It customises the experience for each electric vehicle, simplifying the process of finding where to power up, determining travel possibilities, and understanding charging durations.

• Comprehensive Station Map: The app covers all of North America, including networks such as Tesla, Electrify America, EVgo, Shell Recharge, and many more. It shows the maximum charging speed for each vehicle and station.
• Charge Time Estimation: It provides estimated charging times based on your vehicle's battery level, helping you plan your stops effectively.
• Amenities Information: The app shows nearby shops and restaurants, making it convenient for drivers to find activities while their car charges.
• EV Trip Planner: Chargeway plots the fastest route and powering locations for your trip, taking into account outside temperature and desired speed for accurate planning. It also alerts you if a route lacks sufficient stations.
• Vehicle Customisation: Users can select their EV's colour, name, and adjust battery levels and desired charge limits to estimate powering-up times at every station.
• Wide Compatibility: Chargeway works for every EV in North America, including popular models from Tesla, Kia, Hyundai, Ford, Chevrolet, VW, Nissan, BMW, Audi, Porsche, Rivian, and Polestar.

EVgo

EVgo is a fast, reliable, and easy way to charge your electric vehicle (EV) on the go. It connects drivers to a dedicated network of about 1000 stations worldwide and includes features like instant charging and detailed tracking of powering history and trends.

• EVgo Autocharge+ Feature: This feature allows eligible EVs to start charging automatically upon plugging in, without the need for tapping or cards, enhancing the convenience for users.
• Personalised Charging Experience: Users can filter its map by connector, power, and reservable spots. They can also input their vehicle details to show only compatible stations.
• EVgo Rewards Program: Users can earn points by charging their EV and redeem them for free sessions, adding an incentive to use the network.
• Reservable Chargers: In select locations across the US, users can reserve sites ahead of time, ensuring availability upon arrival.
• EVgo Advantage: This feature provides added value by offering in-app coupons and discounts at stations located near users' favourite shops.
• EVgo Access: Users can access fast chargers within gated facilities using a QR code, with free entry for the duration of the session.
  Integrated Help Centre: The app includes a help centre with troubleshooting assistance, videos, guides, and online support.

Best Parking Apps for Electric Cars

RingGo

RingGo is the UK's leading car parking app, trusted by over 19 million motorists for its convenience and ease of use. Available in more than 500 towns and cities, it offers a vast network of parking options, making it the go-to solution for drivers nationwide.

• Real-Time Availability: Features a traffic light indicator to show space availability, reducing unnecessary circling for spots.
• Cashless Payment: Supports secure payment methods like debit/credit cards and Apple Pay, ensuring a safe, cashless experience.
• Business Parking Solutions: Offers RingGo Corporate service and easy VAT receipt downloads for business users.
• Adjustable Parking Time: Allows users to extend parking time remotely via the app, adding convenience.
• EV Charging Point Locator: Helps EV owners find parking spaces with nearby charging points.

JustPark

Besides helping you find parking spots, JustPark also allows you to rent out your EV charging station if you have one on your property. This is an easy way for EV owners to make some extra money, and you are also free to set your own price when using the app. JustPark also claims to help drivers save up to 30% on parking when they book spaces in advance, which is also a great way to reduce expenses. However, past customers report that this service doesn’t always issue refunds, and the customer experience may not be as pleasant as you would expect.

• Parking Spot Locator: JustPark provides access to tens of thousands of driveways and over a million parking spaces nationwide, allowing users to book from 10 minutes to a whole month.
• EV Charging Options: The app includes hundreds of EV chargers, making it easy for EV owners to find and book powering points. To this end, its JustCharge network is especially beneficial.
• User-Friendly Interface: The app allows users to update booking times, add new vehicles, save receipts, and rebook past spaces.
• Extended Stay Feature: If plans change, users can extend their stay with a simple tap in the app.
• Community Engagement: Users can join the JustPark community of hosts to manage their bookings and contribute to the network.

The AA

The AA is another parking app that can help you find available spaces and available EV powering stations. Plus, this app has different features and offers route planning, breakdown support, and even helps you find lunch places on your journey. Keep in mind that the AA doesn’t work with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

• Dining and Leisure Discounts: The AA members enjoy up to 20% off at over 1,000 UK pubs and restaurants.
• Digital Membership Card: Keeps cover details and membership numbers handy with a digital copy available in the app.
• User-Friendly Interface: Designed for ease of use, the app simplifies journey planning and vehicle management.
• Wide Coverage: Operates across various UK locations, making it a versatile tool for drivers nationwide.

AppyParking

What makes AppyParking different from other apps is that it shows free on-street parking spots in real-time, designated spaces, and car parks, which makes your experience stress-free. However, this app doesn’t provide many EV-oriented features, and it has no in-car app support.

• Cashless Payment Options: The app facilitates easy payments, displaying all cashless IDs in one place and allowing users in smart cities to start and stop payments with the touch of a button.
• Comprehensive Parking Information: The app provides detailed information on all on-street parking areas, restrictions, operating hours, and off-street car parks across the UK.
• User-Friendly Interface: Designed for ease of use, AppyParking helps users save money by finding free on-street parking spaces or choosing from the cheapest paid parking options nearby.
• High-Definition Parking Data: The app allows users to zoom in and view individual parking bays or zoom out to see parking zone information over a large area.

Best Navigation Apps for Electric Cars

Waze

Waze is an excellent app powered by a community that both EV drivers and combustible car owners can benefit from. It allows drivers to share useful navigational details, including information about traffic, incidents, speed cameras, and road conditions.

Its database is updated constantly, so you get notifications in real-time. It’s a free app that supports both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Plus, if you own a Tesla, you can use Waze on its screen, which definitely improves the user experience.

Google Maps

Google Maps is probably the first app that comes to mind when you think about navigation apps for everyone, not only drivers. Recently, the tech giant has implemented some new features to simplify the EV driving experience further. For instance, Google Maps can now display battery levels, which can help to plan long-distance journeys. This app also suggests a charging stop if your battery is too low to make it to your destination point.

Moreover, Google Maps can also provide details about each station, such as the type of chargers available. These features can be especially beneficial for new EV owners.

WattsUp

WattsUp is another app that can help you plan your journey around charging locations. It updates information about site availability in real-time, which can be very helpful if you need a station urgently.

However, this app doesn’t store vehicle information and doesn’t evaluate your battery level when offering charging points. On the upside, you set up the app to only show locations that are compatible with your car model. Note that WattsUp supports only Apple CarPlay, so Android users may need to use an alternative app.

Best Hotel and Home Charging Apps for Electric Cars

EVHotels

EVHotels’ strives to help drivers find hotels with charging points compatible with their cars. It lists about 250,000 registered hotels worldwide, and they can be filtered by brand. Hence, the app provides an excellent way to save your time on charging when you’re on the road, as you can simply power up your vehicle while you rest. However, EVHotels only supports Apple devices.

• Global Reach: With a focus on global coverage, EVHotels caters to travellers in various countries, providing a valuable resource for international trips.
• User-Friendly Interface: The app is engineered for simplicity, helping drivers save time and reduce stress when looking for hotels with EV charging facilities.
• Customisable Preferences: Users can set their car plug type and adaptors to show compatible EV hotels, tailoring the search to their specific needs.

EVmatch

Think about EVmatch like an Airbnb for your car where you can reserve a spot at a home EV charger. The app enables you to filter results based on your preferences, speeding up the selection process. You can also list your home as a charging spot and set your own hourly fee, manage bookings, and get paid for spot reservations.

• Nationwide Network: The app includes a database of over 45,000 EV hotels, 175+ hotel brands, and 130+ network providers, offering a wide range of options.
• Peer-to-Peer Charging: EVmatch allows EV drivers to find, reserve, and pay for the use of private electric car charging stations, expanding the availability of options beyond public locations.
• Home Charger Listing: In addition to listing their EV spots, homeowners can also customise availability schedules, receive real-time booking notifications, and access detailed insights on usage patterns.

Best Vehicle Management Apps for Electric Cars

Tesla

If you own a Tesla, you definitely want to have the Tesla app on your smartphone. It displays all Tesla Supercharger fast-charging stations at over 1000 locations globally. Plus, it enables you to supervise the charging process and notifies you when the battery is powered up.

In addition to this, with this app, you can enjoy different features, such as locking/unlocking your car with your phone, adjusting the temperature, venting the sunroof, and many more. Not to mention driving your car from your garage using autopilot.

Caura

The Caura app is a comprehensive solution for car owners in the UK. It aggregates various car-related tasks into one convenient platform, reducing the administrative burden for users so they can enjoy their rides without the hassle of paperwork and coordination. You can sign up for a free account to get started.

• MOT Management: Users can schedule and manage their MOT appointments.
• Insurance and Tax: It provides tools for handling insurance and tax-related tasks.
• City Charges: Users can stay informed about Clean Air Zones and other city charges.
• Mobile Payments: The app allows for ultra-fast mobile payments on both iOS and Android platforms.

FordPass

A versatile mobility application designed to enhance your use of Ford vehicles, this app is a testament to how technology is transforming the automotive industry by providing users with greater control over their vehicles. As the landscape continues to evolve, staying connected through apps like FordPass becomes increasingly important for both individual drivers and businesses with vehicle fleets. 

• Find Smarter Ways to Move: Whether you're looking for information on transportation options or need assistance with your Ford vehicle, this app has you covered.
• Remote Vehicle Management: You can lock, unlock, and even start your vehicle from your phone. This feature adds ease to your daily routine, allowing you to prepare your car before you even step inside.
• FordPass Pro for Commercial Vehicles: FordPass Pro allows you to manage up to five commercial vehicles efficiently. It can pair with vehicles equipped with FordPass technology, making fleet management more accessible.

Kia Access

Kia Access enhances the ownership experience by providing a centralised platform for managing vehicle features, maintenance, and services, making it a valuable tool for Kia vehicle owners.

• Kia Connect Features: For automobiles equipped with Kia Connect, the app offers vehicle health reports, the ability to send locations to its navigation system, and remote control features like door lock/unlock and horn and lights activation.
• Remote Car Finder: Users can remotely locate their car, adding convenience and security.
• Climate Control: The app allows remote setting of the car’s cabin temperature, which is ideal for pre-conditioning the vehicle.
• Special Features for Plug-in Hybrids and EVs: It also includes features like battery status check, estimated driving range, station locator, and charging schedule management.

MyHyundai with Bluelink

Tailored for drivers of the popular Hyundai brand, the MyHyundai app combines essential owner resources with advanced connectivity features, simplifying vehicle management more than ever before.

• Bluelink Enabled Features: For automobiles equipped with Bluelink, the app provides remote vehicle start, door lock/unlock, and the ability to send locations to the car’s navigation system.
• Vehicle Health Reports: Users can access reports on their vehicle's health, ensuring timely maintenance and care.
• Vehicle Management: The app offers easy access to the owner's manual, quick guides, videos, warranty information, and car payment details for those financed through Hyundai Motors Finance.
• Charging Management for EVs: For electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, the app shows charging status, manages schedules, and locates stations.
• Car Finder: This helps users locate their car, adding an extra layer of convenience.
• Apple Watch Compatibility: The app supports Apple Watch, enabling voice commands and smartwatch menu access to select features.

Conclusion - Best Apps for Electric Car Owners

The landscape of the best apps for electric car owners is rapidly evolving, providing innovative solutions that enhance both driving and vehicle management. As we navigate through this ever-changing terrain, there are many that stand out as indispensable tools for their user-friendly interface, comprehensive network coverage, and commitment to improving the overall journey for EV owners. 

Remember, for those looking to streamline their EV charging experience and embrace the future of driving, exploring Bonnet's capabilities is a step in the right direction. Discover the ease and efficiency of powering up your EV and join the growing community of drivers who are optimising their journeys with this cutting-edge app. Download Bonnet today on your iOS or Android device.