Build Your EV Charging Station App in 4 Simple Steps

Step 1- Analyze Existing EV Charging Stations Apps

There are two types of apps in the EV market: brand-specific and third-party apps. To build a better app and gain hold in the market, understand what features they offer and identify gaps you can fill. 

Here are a few best EV charging station apps in the market.

1. PlugShare

A global platform, PlugShare is a popular choice for EV owners worldwide. It offers a user-friendly interface to find charging stations, with details like station type, availability, user reviews, and photos.

It is a valuable tool for planning long trips. Drivers can check how many stations are in their route and choose the best route so that they don’t run out of battery. It even lets them find EV charging stations near facilities like restrooms, parks, and dining.  

However, PlugShare is not only built for the public. The app also helps businesses to advertise, promote, and connect to EV drivers worldwide.

2. ChargePoint

Unlike other EV charging apps, ChargePoint is highly versatile. It works beyond the Android and iOS devices. Users can access the application even from the smartwatch and get all the charging information.

ChargePoint also makes payment easy by connecting the app with users’ preferred payment method. It is integrated with Apple Pay, PayPal, and Google Pay. The best part is users don’t have to wait for their chance. ChargePoint updates the status of charging stations nearby, whether they are busy or free.

3. Statiq

Discover, Charge, Pay. That’s what Statiq says about its EV charging app. It lets users locate, book, and even pay through the app itself. Not only electric car users but truck and taxi drivers can also use Statiq easily.

4. EVgo

It is a paid EV charging app for locating nearby stations. Users can even book the session before reaching the station. It also lets them search stations based on charger type and connector.

It also monitors the charging session and displays the activities on the app’s dashboard. It even tells the details of the next refill station on the route.

5. Tata Power EZ Charge

One of the best EV charging apps in India is Tata Power EZ Charge. It has best-in-class technology to power electric vehicles on the go. With its locate, connect, charge, pay, and go, users can quickly charge their vehicles.

The app is also connected with the Tata Power EZ Charge business card for fast charging. Simply tap the card to start and stop charging. They can even pay through a card or app.

Also Read: Full Guide on Android App Development Cost

Step 2- Identify the Core Functionalities

All these best EV charging station apps share some essential features such as:

• Station locator integrated with Google Maps to filter stations nearby.
• Station details such as pricing, charging speeds, connectors, and charging type.
• User accounts for managing profiles.
• Payment integration for quick and secure payments.
• Dashboard for showing charging session details along with the charging history.
• Real-time notifications of battery charging status, and next charging stations.
• Slot booking for advanced booking at the nearest station.
• Trip planning feature to easily locate stations on the route.

Step 3- Choose the Development Platform

You can build either an Android EV charging station app or an iOS app. The choice is yours, but we recommend a cross-platform mobile app that works on both platforms. This reduces your development cost and also helps you attract more customers. 

Step 4- Hire a Development Partner

Find a mobile app development company that is proficient in both Android and iOS development. They should also know how to integrate payment gateways and Google Maps as these are essential features.

The look and feel of your mobile app are also important to beat your competitors. So, ensure their UI/UX design team is innovative and properly understands your design requirements.

Once the development is done, which will take a few months, thoroughly test the mobile app. It should not have any errors or bugs before deployment.

Conclusion

The booming electric vehicle market offers a lucrative space for new apps. Developing an EV charging station app can be a smart investment, but success hinges on providing useful features.  

By prioritizing functionality and adding a touch of gamification, your app can become a valuable tool for drivers and a profitable venture for your business.