What electric car charging apps should you use? Find answers here.
Driving an electric vehicle has lots of perks, but the main downside of this experience is that you always have to be tied to charging points. Thus, as an EV driver, you want to use the best smartphone apps that will help you to locate the nearest charging points and use them to charge your car. This is why we’ve put together a list of the 16 best UK EV charging apps that will help you save time the next time you need to juice up your car.
We believe that Bonnet is the best EV charging app on the market because, unlike other apps that only work with one car charging network, our platform shows chargers from over 17 different networks all across Europe. And the best part is that you don’t need to download multiple apps or create several accounts to charge - all of this can be done using just one app - Bonnet. So you can forget about having a dozen charging apps on your phone or having to rush to download a new app when you’re late for a meeting, but you don’t have the app for the network whose charger you want to use. Bonnet takes all the hassle out of owning an electric vehicle and lets you actually enjoy the charging experience.
Plus, with Bonnet, you can also save some money on charging, as you can either pay as you charge or get a Refill plan that offers a certain amount of energy at a reduced price. Since Bonnet gives you the same price on all the chargers in its partner network, you don’t need to drive around looking for a cheaper charger.
Bonnet saves EV drivers from unnecessary detours and overpriced charging, so it’s a must-have for electric car owners. Bonnet is available both on the Apple App Store and Google Play.
PlugShare is another popular charging app that is useful for finding available charging stations near you. PlugShare will display the location of the station, the type of plug, and car models compatible with the charger. It will also navigate you to the chosen station. Plus, users can leave their reviews about charging stations and share their information about their charging experience. This will help you to avoid low-quality stations and save your time. Remember that this app only works with one network, just like all the other apps mentioned below, so the distance between charging points may be greater than you would expect.
Pod Point is one of the most popular EV charging apps that has more than 1,700 public charging slots. Many of them are free to use and even paid ones to require no membership fees. Many brands, including Lidl and Tesla, have partnered with Pod Point. The charging stations are well-located, and the app provides directions to the selected charge point. However, the app may struggle to connect with devices properly.
BP Pulse is a great app for those who don’t have chargers at home. It requires a weekly subscription fee that allows you to charge your car at about 5000 charging points for free. BP Pulse is also actively investing in customer care. This is one of the largest networks, so you’re likely to find their chargers near your home and work.
EV.Energy is designed to help you track your battery levels and give you different information about your car. The app also starts charging your car for you if it detects that you’re low on battery. If you own a Rolec home charging point, EV.energy can set your charging schedules. It also displays how much time you need to fully charge your car. The app also tells you how much CO2 and energy you’re saving by driving an EV.
Ecotricity is one of the most popular green energy companies in the UK. They get their energy from solar panels and wind turbines, so by using their network, you become an emission-free driver. You can find these charging locations at motorway service stations, but they’re currently expanding and installing charging lots on A roads and beyond.
Zap-Map is not a network of charging stations but rather an app that helps you to locate public charging points. You can set filters like your car model and connector type, and Zap-Map will guide you to the nearest station. Note that the app’s interface may feel dated, which may result in a slightly clunky user experience. Zap-Map also lacks charging network support, which is the biggest drawback.
Chargeplace Scotland is a government-run company that provides accessible EV charging points all over the country. They have more than 2,000 charge points, and all you need to do to access them is download the app and register. The biggest downside of this app is that you can’t access the map without registration. And the map of charge points on the app isn’t always accurate, which may be frustrating.
Just like Ecotricity, Fastned is a rapid charging network that works on 100% renewable energy. You can pay as you go, and the app also has contactless access. Fastned also has Gold membership options that allow you to get different discounts. It’s also a little more pricey than other apps. Please note that even though this is a reliable network, it’s located mostly in the North East of England and isn’t yet nationwide.
GeniePoint network is run by Engie EV solutions, and their chargers are mostly found in southern England. You’ll need to register an account to use the app. GeniePoint also offers good customer service. Its charging locations can be found virtually everywhere, including fuel station forecourts, shopping centres, government buildings, and supermarket car parks.
Gridserve is the UK’s first all-electric car charging forecourt that opened in 2020. The company also purchased the Electric Highway, which was originally established by Ecotricity. It can charge 24 cars simultaneously and is surrounded by different food and shopping places, so EV owners have something to do while their cars are charging. Gridserve provides fast and reliable charging and currently plans to install 350kW chargers.
Ionity collaborates with key car makers and is supported by the EU. The company has ultra-rapid 350kW chargers, which make this network more expensive.
Instavolt is the largest rapid charging point owner in the UK after Tesla and BPulse. The company has around 800 charge points and counting but plans to expand in order to have them evenly spread across the UK. Instavolt is easy to use and is located in accessible places. Many customers love Instavolt for its reliability, as they tend to have two chargers at each location. You also get simple and consistent PAYG access available through contactless payment. The drawback is that the units don’t have AC connectors, which makes Renault Zoe drivers unable to use InstaVolt. InstaVolt charging lots are sometimes located in places with limited facilities so be sure to double check.
Osprey provides rapid EV chargers with contactless payment. Osprey is a good app to use for company car drivers, as it provides information about expenses and enables monthly billing. Its charging lots are located at easy-to-find places, usually supermarkets, pubs, and coffee shops. Osprey offers plugs for all car types, and also it has AC connectors. The app has recently launched a membership option. Keep in mind that you need to use a Zap-Pay account, which is a cross-network payment system to pay at Osprey charging lots.
Shell has a network of rapid and ultra-rapid charge points generally located on the forecourts of their refuelling stations. Fulham’s Shell charging hub in London has nine charging stations, a Costa cafe, and a Little Waitrose supermarket. The company has a reliable contactless payment method, and it also offers Shell Energy customer discounts.
The last on our list is the Tesla app, which has more than 700 charging lots in almost 90 well-situated locations, many of which can be used by owners of vehicles from other brands. They get 1,000 miles per year free and then pay between 22p-32p per kWh. It’s simple to use and also gives some useful information to its users. The charging process requires no cards and is automatic. Tesla is also considered the country’s most appreciated EV charging provider.
Bonnet is the best EV charging app designed to make the charging process easier and quicker. Bonnet allows you to charge your car using changers belonging to multiple networks using prepaid or pay-as-you-go plans. Most other EV charging apps work only with one network, and many of them require you to use a separate app for a cross-payment system.
Yes, many EV charging apps offer contactless payment, which saves you time and energy. These apps include Bonnet, Tesla, Shell Recharge, Instavolt, and Fastned.
There are a lot of different EV charging apps that work with different vehicle makes and charging networks. Some of the most popular are Bonnet, Tesla, Osprey, Shell Recharge, Gridserve, Instavolt, Ecotricity, GeniePoint, Ionity, Zap-Map, Chargeplace Scotland, BP Pulse, EV.Energy, PlugShare, Pod Point, and Fastned.
Yes, but you don’t necessarily need it. Many EV owners feel frustrated with having to download different apps for each network and cross-payment system, but all of this can be solved by using the Bonnet app. It allows you to instantly pay for EV charging on over 17 different European EV charging networks without any struggles.
What electric car charging apps should you use? Find answers here.
Driving an electric vehicle has lots of perks, but the main downside of this experience is that you always have to be tied to charging points. Thus, as an EV driver, you want to use the best smartphone apps that will help you to locate the nearest charging points and use them to charge your car. This is why we’ve put together a list of the 16 best UK EV charging apps that will help you save time the next time you need to juice up your car.
We believe that Bonnet is the best EV charging app on the market because, unlike other apps that only work with one car charging network, our platform shows chargers from over 17 different networks all across Europe. And the best part is that you don’t need to download multiple apps or create several accounts to charge - all of this can be done using just one app - Bonnet. So you can forget about having a dozen charging apps on your phone or having to rush to download a new app when you’re late for a meeting, but you don’t have the app for the network whose charger you want to use. Bonnet takes all the hassle out of owning an electric vehicle and lets you actually enjoy the charging experience.
Plus, with Bonnet, you can also save some money on charging, as you can either pay as you charge or get a Refill plan that offers a certain amount of energy at a reduced price. Since Bonnet gives you the same price on all the chargers in its partner network, you don’t need to drive around looking for a cheaper charger.
Bonnet saves EV drivers from unnecessary detours and overpriced charging, so it’s a must-have for electric car owners. Bonnet is available both on the Apple App Store and Google Play.
PlugShare is another popular charging app that is useful for finding available charging stations near you. PlugShare will display the location of the station, the type of plug, and car models compatible with the charger. It will also navigate you to the chosen station. Plus, users can leave their reviews about charging stations and share their information about their charging experience. This will help you to avoid low-quality stations and save your time. Remember that this app only works with one network, just like all the other apps mentioned below, so the distance between charging points may be greater than you would expect.
Pod Point is one of the most popular EV charging apps that has more than 1,700 public charging slots. Many of them are free to use and even paid ones to require no membership fees. Many brands, including Lidl and Tesla, have partnered with Pod Point. The charging stations are well-located, and the app provides directions to the selected charge point. However, the app may struggle to connect with devices properly.
BP Pulse is a great app for those who don’t have chargers at home. It requires a weekly subscription fee that allows you to charge your car at about 5000 charging points for free. BP Pulse is also actively investing in customer care. This is one of the largest networks, so you’re likely to find their chargers near your home and work.
EV.Energy is designed to help you track your battery levels and give you different information about your car. The app also starts charging your car for you if it detects that you’re low on battery. If you own a Rolec home charging point, EV.energy can set your charging schedules. It also displays how much time you need to fully charge your car. The app also tells you how much CO2 and energy you’re saving by driving an EV.
Ecotricity is one of the most popular green energy companies in the UK. They get their energy from solar panels and wind turbines, so by using their network, you become an emission-free driver. You can find these charging locations at motorway service stations, but they’re currently expanding and installing charging lots on A roads and beyond.
Zap-Map is not a network of charging stations but rather an app that helps you to locate public charging points. You can set filters like your car model and connector type, and Zap-Map will guide you to the nearest station. Note that the app’s interface may feel dated, which may result in a slightly clunky user experience. Zap-Map also lacks charging network support, which is the biggest drawback.
Chargeplace Scotland is a government-run company that provides accessible EV charging points all over the country. They have more than 2,000 charge points, and all you need to do to access them is download the app and register. The biggest downside of this app is that you can’t access the map without registration. And the map of charge points on the app isn’t always accurate, which may be frustrating.
Just like Ecotricity, Fastned is a rapid charging network that works on 100% renewable energy. You can pay as you go, and the app also has contactless access. Fastned also has Gold membership options that allow you to get different discounts. It’s also a little more pricey than other apps. Please note that even though this is a reliable network, it’s located mostly in the North East of England and isn’t yet nationwide.
GeniePoint network is run by Engie EV solutions, and their chargers are mostly found in southern England. You’ll need to register an account to use the app. GeniePoint also offers good customer service. Its charging locations can be found virtually everywhere, including fuel station forecourts, shopping centres, government buildings, and supermarket car parks.
Gridserve is the UK’s first all-electric car charging forecourt that opened in 2020. The company also purchased the Electric Highway, which was originally established by Ecotricity. It can charge 24 cars simultaneously and is surrounded by different food and shopping places, so EV owners have something to do while their cars are charging. Gridserve provides fast and reliable charging and currently plans to install 350kW chargers.
Ionity collaborates with key car makers and is supported by the EU. The company has ultra-rapid 350kW chargers, which make this network more expensive.
Instavolt is the largest rapid charging point owner in the UK after Tesla and BPulse. The company has around 800 charge points and counting but plans to expand in order to have them evenly spread across the UK. Instavolt is easy to use and is located in accessible places. Many customers love Instavolt for its reliability, as they tend to have two chargers at each location. You also get simple and consistent PAYG access available through contactless payment. The drawback is that the units don’t have AC connectors, which makes Renault Zoe drivers unable to use InstaVolt. InstaVolt charging lots are sometimes located in places with limited facilities so be sure to double check.
Osprey provides rapid EV chargers with contactless payment. Osprey is a good app to use for company car drivers, as it provides information about expenses and enables monthly billing. Its charging lots are located at easy-to-find places, usually supermarkets, pubs, and coffee shops. Osprey offers plugs for all car types, and also it has AC connectors. The app has recently launched a membership option. Keep in mind that you need to use a Zap-Pay account, which is a cross-network payment system to pay at Osprey charging lots.
Shell has a network of rapid and ultra-rapid charge points generally located on the forecourts of their refuelling stations. Fulham’s Shell charging hub in London has nine charging stations, a Costa cafe, and a Little Waitrose supermarket. The company has a reliable contactless payment method, and it also offers Shell Energy customer discounts.
The last on our list is the Tesla app, which has more than 700 charging lots in almost 90 well-situated locations, many of which can be used by owners of vehicles from other brands. They get 1,000 miles per year free and then pay between 22p-32p per kWh. It’s simple to use and also gives some useful information to its users. The charging process requires no cards and is automatic. Tesla is also considered the country’s most appreciated EV charging provider.
Bonnet is the best EV charging app designed to make the charging process easier and quicker. Bonnet allows you to charge your car using changers belonging to multiple networks using prepaid or pay-as-you-go plans. Most other EV charging apps work only with one network, and many of them require you to use a separate app for a cross-payment system.
Yes, many EV charging apps offer contactless payment, which saves you time and energy. These apps include Bonnet, Tesla, Shell Recharge, Instavolt, and Fastned.
There are a lot of different EV charging apps that work with different vehicle makes and charging networks. Some of the most popular are Bonnet, Tesla, Osprey, Shell Recharge, Gridserve, Instavolt, Ecotricity, GeniePoint, Ionity, Zap-Map, Chargeplace Scotland, BP Pulse, EV.Energy, PlugShare, Pod Point, and Fastned.
Yes, but you don’t necessarily need it. Many EV owners feel frustrated with having to download different apps for each network and cross-payment system, but all of this can be solved by using the Bonnet app. It allows you to instantly pay for EV charging on over 17 different European EV charging networks without any struggles.
What electric car charging apps should you use? Find answers here.
Driving an electric vehicle has lots of perks, but the main downside of this experience is that you always have to be tied to charging points. Thus, as an EV driver, you want to use the best smartphone apps that will help you to locate the nearest charging points and use them to charge your car. This is why we’ve put together a list of the 16 best UK EV charging apps that will help you save time the next time you need to juice up your car.
We believe that Bonnet is the best EV charging app on the market because, unlike other apps that only work with one car charging network, our platform shows chargers from over 17 different networks all across Europe. And the best part is that you don’t need to download multiple apps or create several accounts to charge - all of this can be done using just one app - Bonnet. So you can forget about having a dozen charging apps on your phone or having to rush to download a new app when you’re late for a meeting, but you don’t have the app for the network whose charger you want to use. Bonnet takes all the hassle out of owning an electric vehicle and lets you actually enjoy the charging experience.
Plus, with Bonnet, you can also save some money on charging, as you can either pay as you charge or get a Refill plan that offers a certain amount of energy at a reduced price. Since Bonnet gives you the same price on all the chargers in its partner network, you don’t need to drive around looking for a cheaper charger.
Bonnet saves EV drivers from unnecessary detours and overpriced charging, so it’s a must-have for electric car owners. Bonnet is available both on the Apple App Store and Google Play.
PlugShare is another popular charging app that is useful for finding available charging stations near you. PlugShare will display the location of the station, the type of plug, and car models compatible with the charger. It will also navigate you to the chosen station. Plus, users can leave their reviews about charging stations and share their information about their charging experience. This will help you to avoid low-quality stations and save your time. Remember that this app only works with one network, just like all the other apps mentioned below, so the distance between charging points may be greater than you would expect.
Pod Point is one of the most popular EV charging apps that has more than 1,700 public charging slots. Many of them are free to use and even paid ones to require no membership fees. Many brands, including Lidl and Tesla, have partnered with Pod Point. The charging stations are well-located, and the app provides directions to the selected charge point. However, the app may struggle to connect with devices properly.
BP Pulse is a great app for those who don’t have chargers at home. It requires a weekly subscription fee that allows you to charge your car at about 5000 charging points for free. BP Pulse is also actively investing in customer care. This is one of the largest networks, so you’re likely to find their chargers near your home and work.
EV.Energy is designed to help you track your battery levels and give you different information about your car. The app also starts charging your car for you if it detects that you’re low on battery. If you own a Rolec home charging point, EV.energy can set your charging schedules. It also displays how much time you need to fully charge your car. The app also tells you how much CO2 and energy you’re saving by driving an EV.
Ecotricity is one of the most popular green energy companies in the UK. They get their energy from solar panels and wind turbines, so by using their network, you become an emission-free driver. You can find these charging locations at motorway service stations, but they’re currently expanding and installing charging lots on A roads and beyond.
Zap-Map is not a network of charging stations but rather an app that helps you to locate public charging points. You can set filters like your car model and connector type, and Zap-Map will guide you to the nearest station. Note that the app’s interface may feel dated, which may result in a slightly clunky user experience. Zap-Map also lacks charging network support, which is the biggest drawback.
Chargeplace Scotland is a government-run company that provides accessible EV charging points all over the country. They have more than 2,000 charge points, and all you need to do to access them is download the app and register. The biggest downside of this app is that you can’t access the map without registration. And the map of charge points on the app isn’t always accurate, which may be frustrating.
Just like Ecotricity, Fastned is a rapid charging network that works on 100% renewable energy. You can pay as you go, and the app also has contactless access. Fastned also has Gold membership options that allow you to get different discounts. It’s also a little more pricey than other apps. Please note that even though this is a reliable network, it’s located mostly in the North East of England and isn’t yet nationwide.
GeniePoint network is run by Engie EV solutions, and their chargers are mostly found in southern England. You’ll need to register an account to use the app. GeniePoint also offers good customer service. Its charging locations can be found virtually everywhere, including fuel station forecourts, shopping centres, government buildings, and supermarket car parks.
Gridserve is the UK’s first all-electric car charging forecourt that opened in 2020. The company also purchased the Electric Highway, which was originally established by Ecotricity. It can charge 24 cars simultaneously and is surrounded by different food and shopping places, so EV owners have something to do while their cars are charging. Gridserve provides fast and reliable charging and currently plans to install 350kW chargers.
Ionity collaborates with key car makers and is supported by the EU. The company has ultra-rapid 350kW chargers, which make this network more expensive.
Instavolt is the largest rapid charging point owner in the UK after Tesla and BPulse. The company has around 800 charge points and counting but plans to expand in order to have them evenly spread across the UK. Instavolt is easy to use and is located in accessible places. Many customers love Instavolt for its reliability, as they tend to have two chargers at each location. You also get simple and consistent PAYG access available through contactless payment. The drawback is that the units don’t have AC connectors, which makes Renault Zoe drivers unable to use InstaVolt. InstaVolt charging lots are sometimes located in places with limited facilities so be sure to double check.
Osprey provides rapid EV chargers with contactless payment. Osprey is a good app to use for company car drivers, as it provides information about expenses and enables monthly billing. Its charging lots are located at easy-to-find places, usually supermarkets, pubs, and coffee shops. Osprey offers plugs for all car types, and also it has AC connectors. The app has recently launched a membership option. Keep in mind that you need to use a Zap-Pay account, which is a cross-network payment system to pay at Osprey charging lots.
Shell has a network of rapid and ultra-rapid charge points generally located on the forecourts of their refuelling stations. Fulham’s Shell charging hub in London has nine charging stations, a Costa cafe, and a Little Waitrose supermarket. The company has a reliable contactless payment method, and it also offers Shell Energy customer discounts.
The last on our list is the Tesla app, which has more than 700 charging lots in almost 90 well-situated locations, many of which can be used by owners of vehicles from other brands. They get 1,000 miles per year free and then pay between 22p-32p per kWh. It’s simple to use and also gives some useful information to its users. The charging process requires no cards and is automatic. Tesla is also considered the country’s most appreciated EV charging provider.
Bonnet is the best EV charging app designed to make the charging process easier and quicker. Bonnet allows you to charge your car using changers belonging to multiple networks using prepaid or pay-as-you-go plans. Most other EV charging apps work only with one network, and many of them require you to use a separate app for a cross-payment system.
Yes, many EV charging apps offer contactless payment, which saves you time and energy. These apps include Bonnet, Tesla, Shell Recharge, Instavolt, and Fastned.
There are a lot of different EV charging apps that work with different vehicle makes and charging networks. Some of the most popular are Bonnet, Tesla, Osprey, Shell Recharge, Gridserve, Instavolt, Ecotricity, GeniePoint, Ionity, Zap-Map, Chargeplace Scotland, BP Pulse, EV.Energy, PlugShare, Pod Point, and Fastned.
Yes, but you don’t necessarily need it. Many EV owners feel frustrated with having to download different apps for each network and cross-payment system, but all of this can be solved by using the Bonnet app. It allows you to instantly pay for EV charging on over 17 different European EV charging networks without any struggles.
