Dear reader,
Have you been itching to hit the open road for a relaxing ride in your shiny electric vehicle (EV)? Let me guess what‘s holding you back – range anxiety. All those worrying thoughts about running out of juice in the middle of nowhere!
Not to worry! Smart EV route planning apps have arrived to wipe out such fears for good. These nifty assistants locate compatible chargers along your journey, estimate realistic battery range, schedule optimal recharging stops and even guide you turn-by-turn without a hitch.
Intrigued, aren‘t you? Before unveiling the apps, let‘s get up to speed on powering the EV revolution.
Why EVs Are Gaining Traction
It‘s no surprise that EVs are cruising into the mainstream. Consider the stats:
- 607,000+ EVs were sold in the US in 2021 alone as per J.D. Power – a splendid 83% jump since 2018
- EV-friendly policies, rising gas prices, lower maintenance costs and environmental awareness drive adoption
- Improved EV models now breach 350+ mile ranges between charging stops
- Specialized apps alleviate trip planning complexity for new owners
No wonder EV purchases in the US are projected to maintain a 50% CAGR through 2030 according to McKinsey, reaching over 20 million units per year in under a decade!
| Factors Driving EV Adoption |
|---|
| Lower maintenance and fueling costs |
| Maturing supporting infrastructure |
| Cleaner transportation |
| Improving EV range and performance |
Clearly, both external circumstances and intrinsic capabilities have lined up to empower EV mainstreaming. Yet, the charging infrastructure remains a work-in-progress for enabling impromptu long distance trips as per today‘s gas-car standards.
This is where EV route planners drive in to make extended adventures utterly seamless for you!
Why Route Planning Matters for EVs
You simply can‘t spontaneously road trip via an EV today and expect easy pitstops for refueling like gas cars. Some trip-spoiling realities right now:
Limited Range: Today‘s EVs average just 250-350 miles before draining up. Upcoming models promise 500+ mile ranges but still need recharging.
Slow Charging: Empty to full battery recharges take 30 minutes at super fast chargers – but potentially hours at normal ones. Queues at peak times slow things further.
Charger Compatibility: Not every EV model is supported on all charging stations. Teslas require Superchargers, while others rely on outlets like CCS, Chademo, CHAdeMO and Type 2.
Weather Impacts: Cold temperatures drastically reduce battery strength. Hot weather forces you to run AC more often.
Without planning for these constraints, EV travel can quickly turn into a nightmare. Mapping out compatible charging stations at feasible intervals is key to a smooth journey. And this is precisely what EV route planning apps do best!
How Route Planners Transform EV Journeys
Let‘s see how these smart apps make all the difference:
Map Station Locations: The first essential is identifying compatible charging stations along your route across networks like ChargePoint, EVGo, Volta, Tesla Supercharger etc.
Estimate Charging Times: Advanced planners analyze weather forecasts, route terrain profile, passenger load etc to estimate realistic battery range and recharging times.
Schedule Stops: Using dynamic range and charging estimates, the app auto-schedules necessary recharging stops at optimal intervals to maximize driving time.
Enable Payment: Top apps let you pay charging fees through themselves via wallet integrations or RFID taps. No more coins, cards or apps switching!
Provide Turn-by-Turn Navigation: The next-gen route planners offer real-time voice-guided navigation with charging stops seamlessly built into your door-to-door directions. Super convenient!
I don‘t know about you, but I‘m already sold on how brilliantly these apps tackle range anxiety, charging logistics and travel unfamiliarity!
Armed with this background, let me present 6 top-rated EV route planners that guarantee the optimal road trip experience.
1. A Better Routeplanner: Best Overall
[insert abetterrouteplanner.png]As the name suggests, A Better Routeplanner sets the gold standard for EV trips. It sports all essential features, plus handy bonuses like charging stop recommendations.
The key functionality remains supremely simple – just enter your starting point, destination and EV model. The app then utilizes crowdsourced data and smart algorithms to generate the optimal route complete with necessary charging stops.
You can tweak locations or charger filters until the plan fits your requirements and schedule. A bonus highlight is that you can look up restaurants, hotels, restrooms etc nearby stops for a more wholesome experience!
For actual navigation, employ the driving mode if your EV supports Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. Real-time traffic alerts enable the app to dynamically update your route as needed. Statistics like trip duration, costs and charging needs further sweeten the deal.
With over 120,000 charging points across North America and Europe mapped, in-depth tools and global acclaim, A Better Routeplanner warrants being every EV owner‘s first-choice app. Both free and paid versions are available.
Platforms: Android, iOS
Charging Networks: Multiple networks
Pros
- Dynamic trip optimization
- Crowdsourced data
- Navigation integration
- Amenities finder
Cons
- Paid version expensive
- Overkill analytics for casual users
[insert plugshare.png]
PlugShare rules the roost as the world‘s largest EV charging network with over 450,000 stations mapped globally. The app excels at basic route visualizations between points, with some stellar extras tossed in.
Firstly, PlugShare enjoys unparalleled community wisdom via millions of EV drivers reporting reviews, photos and updates for existing and new stations. You‘ll make far better-informed choices picking convenient, reliable chargers this way.
Secondly, PlugShare Pay enables direct in-app payments for charging, skipping the hassle of cards, coins or separate apps. Even better, RFID mode lets you simply tap and EVGo to pay at thousands of stations, reminiscent of toll tags.
Thirdly, integration with Apple Maps and Google Maps furnishes turn-by-turn navigation between stops. And handy filters like amenities, charger types, networks etc afford granular control in locating the perfect stations.
With global coverage, community-powered feature set and seamless payments, Plugshare checks all boxes to become your EV ride companion for life!
Platforms: Android, iOS
Charging Networks: Multiple networks
Pros
- Massive charging network
- Community wisdom
- Navigation integration
- Payment gateway
Cons
- Clunky interface
- Overreliance on community data quality
3. ChargePoint – The Charging Goliath
[insert chargepoint.png]No introduction needed for ChargePoint – the world‘s largest EV charging network operating over 100,000 spots across North America and Europe. Naturally its mobile app guarantees access to these points.
But it offers much more! You can initiate, monitor and pay for charging sessions, receive real-time notifications on status and more – all without leaving the app! This end-to-end integration massively eases the experience.
Importantly, your ChargePoint login provides access to charging stations across non-proprietary third-party networks like EVGo too. This flexibility is invaluable for extended trips. Route planning and analytics tools further refine your adventures.
Blending its signature fast chargers with unrestricted public station access, ChargePoint is undoubtedly among the most valuable apps to own for worry-free EV road trips. Did I mention both apps are free?
Platforms: Android, iOS
Charging Networks: ChargePoint, EVGo and more
Pros
- Vast fast charging infrastructure
- Third-party network access
- Charge monitoring
- Mobile payments
Cons
- American focus
- Complex features
[insert evnavigation.png]
EV Navigation differentiates itself by fusing offline turn-by-turn navigation with charging point identification. The app is evidently geared towards in-car usage sporting vehicle-friendly interfaces.
You simply select a destination via contacts, addresses or points of interest. Voice-guided routing seamlessly incorporates charging stops as needed while factoring traffic conditions. Route saving, trip planning tools etc further optimize drives.
Uniquely, the app provides an estimated range Anxiety score based on your EV‘s specs, weather etc to indicate how far you can go before recharging. Mountain graphs visually showcase upcoming terrain impacts too.
And as the name suggests, offline map access keeps navigation fully functional sans cell service. Download entire states/countries for GPS-based guidance regardless of connectivity.
With global coverage plus advanced in-car interface, EV Navigation emerges the specialized app best suited for worry-free EV road trips anywhere.
Platforms: Android, iOS
Charging Networks: Multiple networks
Pros
- Offline maps
- Turn-by-turn navigation
- Range estimator
- Trip planning tools
Cons
- Steep learning curve
- Limited real-time optimization
5. Chargeway – Simplifying the Charging Experience
[insert chargeway.png]California-based upstart Chargeway pursues an ambitious goal – unifying the fragmented EV charging landscape via their signature rating system. Think star ratings for charger speed!
Chargeway assigns simple color and number combos denoting charging speed. Rather than stressing over plug types and specs, just tap stations matching your car‘s designated Chargeway rating for swift power-ups. Intuitive and universal!
The system incorporates dynamic trip planning by considering weather, route terrain, passenger load when recommending charging stops. Apple CarPlay enables convenient in-dash access including voice commands in compatible EVs. Quick stop recommendations for unplanned trips seal the deal.
Though currently US-focused, Chargeway has gone viral for radically streamlining EV trip planning through its innovative signature rating concept. Adoption by other apps could make this a global standard!
Platforms: Android, iOS
Charging Networks: Multiple networks
Pros
- Innovative rating system
- Dynamic trip planning
- CarPlay support
- Quick stop recos
Cons
- Limited US networks
- Fewer planning tools
6. Zap Map – For Happy UK Trips!
[insert zapmap.png]Switching focus to the UK, Zap Map is the go-to app for hassle-free rides spanning England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. It maps over 85% of UK‘s charging points, a feat unmatched by generic planners.
Crowdsourced ratings and photos provide confidence in picking decent stations. User-submitted live status updates further aid decisions. One social highlight is Zap-Chat in-app messaging between drivers on charger availability, experiences etc!
The built-in route planning wizard optimizes stops by factoring availability, charging speed, pre-booking options and more helpful criteria to minimize wait times. Alerts and reminders further erase range anxiety, helping you simply enjoy the ride!
For complete UK+Ireland coverage plus community wisdom tailor-made for the region, Zap Map emerges the must-have planification assistant guaranteeing sweet road trip vibes!
Platforms: Android, iOS
Charging Networks: Multiple UK networks
Pros
- Granular UK/Ireland data
- Community features
- Automatic optimizations
Cons
- Limited geography
- Dated interface
So which one(s) are you picking for your next big road trip? My recommendation would be keeping 2-3 options covering both overall planners like A Better Routeplanner and specialized tools like Chargeway for a well-rounded experience.
The Road Ahead
In closing, range anxiety and charging logistics need not deter you from epic electric road trips anymore. maturing route planners, expanding charging networks and advancing EV capabilities now make long distance drives as feasible as gas cars, albeit requiring some pre-planning.
As EV adoption advances, supported infrastructure and technology will only evolve to make these trips ever more streamlined. Here‘s looking forward to a vibrant, electrified roadscape with you behind those wheels soon!
Stay powered up for the journey ahead!
