These free apps can help you find the nearest charging station for your EV

These apps can cure low-battery anxiety amongst EV users.

A Telsa electric car being charged (Image credit: bixusas/Pixabay)

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The automobile industry is currently transitioning from ICE (internal combustion engine) to battery-based EVs (electric vehicles) across the world including India. Charging infrastructure is currently the biggest roadblock that the EV industry is facing. And to overcome this hurdle, auto makers and a lot of third parties are building their own network of charging stations that are cross-compatible.

EV users tend to maintain a routine and mostly end up charging at their homes. However, if they are on a road trip, knowing the nearby EV charging network is a must to get going. If you own an EV or planning to get one, here are some of the best apps to find the right charging station near you.

Google Maps also allows users to find a specific type of EV charger (Express Photo)

Google Maps

Finding an EV charging station on Google Maps is as easy as finding your favourite eatery at a new place. Just search “EV charging stations near me” and Google display all the listed charging stations. Google also includes information about the max power rating and number of chargers. However, it does not mention the status of the charger.

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Also read | Meta, Microsoft & Amazon join forces to challenge Google Maps dominance

First-party apps

Another easy way to inquire about the charging station is by using the first-party app from the vehicle manufacturer. Almost all EVs, including two-wheelers and cars, do offer an app that includes various information about the vehicle, and most of these apps can be used to spot a nearby charging station. In this case, only the first-party chargers and the charging points from the partners will be visible on the app.

If you have an EV from Ather, download and install the Ather app. Similarly, if you own an Ola EV, download the Ola Electric app on your smartphone. For cars, use Tata Motors ZConnect app. Keep in mind that, most of these apps will only work if you own a vehicle from the respective brand, and most of the first-party charging points are likely to make use of a proprietary charging mechanism that prevents third-party vehicles from accessing these chargers.

Third-party apps to find EV charging stations

We did have some issues while setting up the EV Plugs app (Express Photo)

EV Plugs

EV Plugs is said to be one of the biggest charging network aggregators in the country with more than a thousand charging points. This app lists EV charging points from all the major operators such as Tata Power, Magenta, and EESL. Within the app, users can choose their vehicle, and it shows the compatible network of charging points that’s nearby. This makes the EV Plugs app a great companion for both two-wheeler and four-wheel electric vehicle owners.

The Tata Power EZ app is primarily meant for cars (Express Photo)

Tata Power EZ Charge

As the name suggests, Tata Power EZ Charge gives access to the EV charging points managed and maintained by Tata Power. This app shows all the details regarding a charging point, including the type of connector, status of the charging point, and it even has the option to reserve a charging slot for a specific period. The app supports multiple payment methods and if a user has multiple EVs, all can be listed within the app. Unlike the other apps, the Tata Power EZ Charge app is primarily meant for electric cars.

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ElectricPe offers monthly EV charging subscription plans (Express Photo)

ElectricPe

ElectricPe is also an EV charger aggregator, which can be used by both two and four-wheel electric vehicle users. Besides helping users to locate the nearby charging station, the ElectricPe app also offers custom subscription plans. The app also offers rate cards, information about connector type, and users can also buy their own chargers within the app.

Statiq offers EV charging points for both personal and commercial vehicles (Express Photo)

Statiq EV charging

Statiq has its EV charger network in the country that works with two-wheelers, cars, and even commercial vehicles. Users can choose their vehicle and the app shows all the available Statiq charging points and third-party options with real-time status. Again, a must-have app for all types of electric vehicle users.