{"id":14238,"date":"2024-01-10T07:45:00","date_gmt":"2024-01-10T12:45:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pditechnologies.com\/?p=14238"},"modified":"2024-01-16T15:14:01","modified_gmt":"2024-01-16T20:14:01","slug":"mobile-apps-help-ev-consumers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pditechnologies.com\/blog\/mobile-apps-help-ev-consumers\/","title":{"rendered":"Rock Down to Electric App-enue: Must-Have Apps for EV Drivers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Remember the 1982 \u201cElectric Avenue<\/a>\u201d song by Eddy Grant? Hopefully, you\u2019ve heard it, or I just wasted a perfectly bad pun in my blog title.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And, if you\u2019re not quite old enough to remember that song when it came out, maybe you recall the Electric Avenue that showed up in an ad for Montgomery Ward<\/a>. For all you Millennials and younger generations, that was what \u201chigh-tech\u201d looked like in the early 90s. But I digress…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019re rocking down to electric app-enue for one primary reason. If there\u2019s one thing you learn quickly after purchasing or leasing an electric vehicle (EV), it\u2019s that mobile apps are a critical component of EV driving. In fact, you can choose from a wide range of EV-specific mobile apps to help make charging, route planning, and driving optimization much easier and more convenient. Here\u2019s a look at some of the top apps I\u2019m using.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

EV Charging apps<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Finding public charging stations and planning for\u00a0longer trips is a lot easier with ev driver apps like PlugShare<\/a>, ChargeHub<\/a>, and ChargePoint<\/a>. Each lets you map nearby charging stations, check real-time status, and filter by charger type and network. That helps take the guesswork out of charger availability so you can confidently get around. Popular navigation apps such as Google Maps and Apple Maps also now include EV charging locations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another handy app is Chargeway<\/a>, which simplifies the different charging connectors with easy-to-understand color codes and graphics. No more confusion over charging formats<\/a> like CCS, CHAdeMO, and J1772. Apps like EVmatch<\/a> go a step further by allowing you to reserve charging stations ahead of time at select locations. I personally detest lines and waiting, which is why a reservation service for charging my EV is extremely appealing to me. Think of it as the OpenTable of charging apps!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Utility apps<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Utility company apps like Pacific Power<\/a> Energy Tracker can help you monitor your home EV charging usage and cost. You can see how your charging habits impact your energy bill while receiving customized alerts and tips. Some apps even allow you to schedule your EV charging session to take advantage of lower off-peak electricity rates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Automaker apps<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Your interest in these types of apps will obviously depend on what brand of EV you drive. Apps from EV makers like Audi, Tesla, and Nissan provide connected features directly through your car\u2019s infotainment system. You can monitor your charge status, heating and cooling, and other items right from your phone. You can even track your driving efficiency, trip data, and service reminders. I\u2019d recommend \u201ctest driving\u201d a few automaker apps to get a better feel for what\u2019s possible before you ever actually test drive a vehicle. The Audi app I use for my EV has some great features\u2014including a mobile unlock feature, which has proved useful more times than I\u2019d care to admit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

EV news and reviews<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re looking to stay up to date on the latest EV news, models, and tech innovations, start with web sites or EV driver apps like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n