There are apps for almost everything, and electric vehicle charging is no exception.
Whether you’re searching for your nearest EV charger, needing to pay for your public EV charging, or looking for a way to charge greener, there’s an app available for your every EV charging need, all at your fingertips.
But, with thousands of apps out there, how do you know which EV charging app to download? What is the best EV charging app in the UK?
We’re here to narrow the choice down for you. Keep reading our guide to EV charging apps to find our picks of the best EV charging apps in the UK in 2024.
As the UK’s leading EV driver app, you’ll likely have heard of Zap-Map, whether you are an EV novice or fanatic.
The free, all-in-one app allows you to find your nearest available charging point, filter the EV chargers and view additional information, such as accessibility, pricing, and facilities. Zap-Map isn’t tied to a particular EV charging network; it simply shows all available charge points, no matter the manufacturer.
In addition to finding charging locations, Zap-Map works as a route planner. Take note of where to stop and top-up your charge on longer electric journeys, and help put your mind at ease from pesky range anxiety.
What’s more, you can connect with over 800,000 EV owners in the Zap-Map community. Share comments and photos, and rate your experience at different charging points with fellow EV drivers to make charging as pleasant as possible for all.
You can even use Zap-Pay within the Zap-Map app to pay for multiple public charging networks instead of owning individual RFID cards and apps for each network, making public charging more convenient. Some leading charging networks on Zap-Pay include Osprey, Genie Point and FASTNED.
In our opinion, Zap-Map is the best EV charging map app in the UK for finding nearby electric vehicle charging points and planning electric car journeys.
If you find yourself on the road abroad and in need of an EV charging point, the PlugShare app is for you.
Similarly to Zap-Map, you can use PlugShare to find nearby public charging points and check charger functionality. However, PlugShare goes the extra mile when crossing international borders. In fact, the app’s reach covers not only the UK but most of the globe, making it handy if you are hiring an electric vehicle on holiday.
Google Maps is a staple app for all drivers, whether petrol, diesel or electric, and it’s proven by its spot at number one for navigation on the Apple App store.
But did you know with recent updates, Google has increased accessibility for EV drivers? Now, you can plan road trips and locate nearby fast-charging stations via the Google Maps app.
Despite not being as jam-packed as other apps, Google Maps does display the location of EV chargers nearby, opening hours, the charging speed and which connector types are available (such as Type 1, Type 2 and CHAdeMO), making it an ideal app for those who prefer the no-frills approach.
If you frequently use public EV charging points, you’ll know the hassle of having multiple apps and RFID cards to pay for the different EV charging networks across the UK. From BP Pulse to Shell Recharge to Chargepoint Scotland, the list of charging networks is rapidly growing, but how do you make life easier when paying for your public EV charging?
This is where Octopus Electric Universe comes in. Download the app and pay for a number of public EV chargers from various manufacturers, allowing you to access hundreds of thousands of chargers, with a tap of an RFID card or a touch of a button.
The Octopus Electroverse comprises of but is not limited to:
On top of that, various discounts and perks are available for Octopus Electric Universe users. For example, if you’re an Octopus Energy home electricity customer, you can link your bills to the app for added simplicity. Octopus Go customers also receive a 5% discount, and Intelligent Octopus customers receive an 8% discount on all public chargers via Octopus Electric Universe.
Additionally, there are no transaction or subscription fees. Simply find compatible chargers nearby on the app, plug in and tap to charge with your free, unique RFID card sent upon signing up. Alternatively, in-app charging is available for those who don’t like overfilling their wallet.
Despite the wide range of charging networks compatible with Octopus Electric Universe, your personal favourite might not be included.
So, if you have a preferred public charging network – whether it be Chargeplace Scotland, Shell Recharge or BP Pulse – it may be easier to stick to the manufacturer-specific app. There’s no point cluttering your phone with unnecessary apps and wasting storage space. However, RFID cards are also available for public charging networks.
But make sure, whichever network you choose, that there are plenty of compatible (and working) chargers nearby.
As previously mentioned, Zap-Map offers Zap-Pay, an app similar to Octopus Electric Universe, making paying for public charging easier and more convenient by providing one app for multiple charging networks instead of one.
Geniepoint, Osprey and Mer are just a few networks available on Zap-Pay. However, Octopus Electroverse’s web of EV charging networks is more extensive, meaning they just pipped the post for the best EV charging payment app.
Additionally, Zap-Pay doesn’t currently offer an RFID card to pay for charging like the Octopus Electric Universe. Still, with other public charging networks, such as Pod Point, pulling the plug on charging cards, this may not be an issue for some.
Most EV charging apps we’ve recommended are for public charging use only. However, WhenToPlugIn is one for home usage. And good news, not only can it help make your EV charging greener, but it can also help you make more environmentally conscious decisions regarding your electricity usage as a whole.
In summary, the WhenToPlugIn app displays the live carbon intensity forecast (CO2 emissions per unit of electricity consumed) in your area and lets you know when electricity in your home will be at its cleanest. So, you can make smarter energy choices and decrease your carbon footprint further, not only by charging your EV when electricity is cleaner but also by using other household appliances during these low carbon emission hours.
Reduce your carbon consumption and charge for cheaper with the EV.Energy app.
Simply download the app and connect with your home charger and the EV.Energy app will automatically start charging your EV with the cheapest and cleanest electricity available. Not only that, but you’ll have access to energy usage graphs, which include summaries of your energy consumption and carbon emissions.
Get rewarded by saving the planet too. Start smart charging with the EV.Energy app, earn points for each charging session, and you’ll be able to claim rewards. Amazon, Costa, and John Lewis vouchers are just a few of the rewards available. EV.Energy is a must-have app for those who are looking for cost-effective ways of saving the planet.
It goes without saying that the Tesla app is essential for Tesla owners. Heat or cool your car before driving, lock and unlock your Tesla, check charging progress and allow passengers to control media, all with a touch of a button. Impressively, whether in your Tesla or out, the app offers a wide range of features to enhance your driving experience even further.
You should have already downloaded the matching app if you’ve invested in a dedicated home electric vehicle charger. Why? Because of the Smart Charging Regulations. All home EV chargers need to be smart, including connectivity to a smartphone, in order to be able to set charging schedules.
But another reason to download your home EV charger manufacturer app is that each app comes with a unique set of features that can amplify your home charging experience. For example, if you have the Ohme Home Pro, you can track your CO2 consumption levels and charge when the electricity grip is at its cleanest.
Alternatively, the Easee One App enables you to lock and unlock your cable, giving it the look and feel of either a tethered or a socketed (untethered) charger, depending on your choice that day.
Last but not least, with the VCHRGD Seven, you can authenticate devices via the app, including registering RFID cards that can be used for smoother charging.
Most dedicated home chargers incorporate a plethora of exciting features on their app, so if you haven’t already, get downloading.
The best free EV charging apps in the UK are:
Contact us today at 03333 44 96 99 or fill in the contact form below, and a member of our customer service team will help you find your perfect home EV charger match. With engineers across the UK, we can install wherever you are with fast lead times.
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This type of electric charger has it's own cable to charge your car.
This type of electric charger requires a seperate cable to charge your car.
Spread over a 60 month period.
Tenants and homeowners are eligible for finance.
You decide the amount of months.
Minimum of £1000.
We will contact you to process the credit application. Approval is subject to application, financial circumstances and borrowing history. 13.9% APR representative. T&Cs apply.
Your order is not confirmed until your application has been approved.
We lay SWA cable laid at 600mm deep, with a protective cable warning tape laid 150mm above the cable. These are laid on a sand or sifted sand soil bed then backfilled.
We position overhead cables at a minimum height of 3.5m and are run along a catenary wire. The cable run should not be accessible to vehicles.
Standard Installation
Our instant price is fixed if it falls within our standard installation package plus any additions that you have selected (extra cabling for example). This package covers the majority of homes in the UK. Before we undertake your installation we will carry out a digital survey to check that nothing has been missed. After reviewing the survey results some additional work may be required in order to complete your installation safely and to the required standards. If this is the case, we will contact you well before the installation date and advise the cost of any required work. You can then continue with your installation, or alternatively we will refund you in full if you do not want to proceed.
Included in our standard installation is :
• Fitting of a single phase charge point to a brick or plaster wall or other suitable permanent structure
• Up to 10 metres of cable, run and neatly clipped to the wall between the electricity supply meter / distribution board and the charge point.
• Routing of the cable through a drilled hole in a wall up to 500mm (20 inches) thick if this is needed.
• The fitting and testing of electrical connections and protections required for the charge point.
• An additional three way consumer unit, if required
• Installation of a Type A RCBO in an RCBO enclosure
• Up to 3 metres of plastic trunking to conceal interior wiring.
• An O-pen earth protection device if the charge point requires it. (This is NOT an earth rod)
• Up to 4 hours of labour from your installer to complete the work.
• Electrical testing of the whole installation.
• Handover and setup of the charge point and any app that may be needed.
Not included in our standard installation (additional work) :
• Where the installation requires additional cabling over and above the amount you have told us about.
• Upgrade/replacement of the main incoming supply fuse where the local DNO (eg Northern Powergrid) would need to attend site.
• If the charge point is to be mounted on a post/pedestal rather than an existing wall and where you have not selected a post as an extra cost option in your order.
• Installation of a charge point to a three phase supply.
• Where gas and water mains bonding (earthing) is not in place at your property. If this is not in place, additional work would be required before installation of the charge point.
• Any groundwork that has not been selected during the order process.
A Surge Protection Device is not included in our standard installation.
What else you need to know :
• On the day of installation, please ensure that the area around your consumer unit (fuse box), incoming electricity supply meter and proposed charge point location (including where the cable is expected to be run) is clear and free of obstructions.
• We will need your WiFi password as part of the installation process in order to connect your charge point to the internet. Please have this available for the installer. Details will not be kept.
• The charge point must be on your own designated off road parking.
• The charger will be fixed in line with current guidelines at a height where it cannot be hit by a vehicle.
• Our installers are not able to enter loft spaces; lift floorboards or flooring; take apart any furniture of work above a height of 2m. If you anticipate that any of this may be required, then please contact us and we can discuss in more detail and provide you with a quotation.
• Should there be extreme weather conditions our installers may not be able to continue with you installation if it is not safe to do so (for example flooding). They will always do their best to complete the work where they can.
If you have any questions then please contact our customer service team who will be happy to help. Please also read our terms and conditions.
