The Top 5 Charging Apps for Electric Vehicle Owners in Canada

Range anxiety is a myth.

When you are in control of charging your electric vehicle, there is no need to be anxious about your range.

EV batteries can hold their charge for days and weeks and are fast and easy to recharge. Electric vehicles are powered by electric motors and lithium-ion battery packs. This is the same type of battery used in your laptop and smartphone, and just like them, your EV needs to recharge. 

As an electric vehicle owner, you may or may not have a charger at home, but you will always have access to a variety of public chargers. There are thousands of public charging stations now in Canada, and you can locate a charger near you at any time simply by using an app on your phone.

Here is a list of the top 5 apps for electric vehicle owners in Canada; 

1.    The proprietary vehicle app – Every electric vehicle will have its own app that will offer a list of features, including a charging navigation function. The car will most likely have built-in navigation to charging stations in the vicinity.  You will learn to use your car feature and app inadvertently as you become more comfortable and familiar with the car. 

2.    Plugshare - PlugShare is a free application and website that allows users to find and review charging stations, and to connect with other EV owners. Plugshare is not a charging provider; it’s a tool to connect you with a charging provider and network. 

What I like about the app:

-    Database of over 125,000 charging stations in the US and Canada

-    Includes photos and station details 

-    Includes reviews, tips and what to expect at each location form other EV users who have used the station

-    Search filters show charging stations compatible with your vehicle 

-    Plan a road trip and figure out your route stops and durations. 

-    Provides real-time availability of station (how many stations are free)  

3.    ChargeHub – ChargeHub is a free mobile and web platform that helps all the electric car drivers and future EV drivers to quickly find answers to their questions with charging guides, saving calculators, home charging, and EV facts.  Chargehub is not a charging network. They connect you with charging networks and provide home charging solutions.

The website is full of useful information about EVs in general, but since we’re reviewing apps, here is what I like about the app:

-    Connected to over 55,000 charging stations in the US and Canada

-    Connected to charging networks like Blink, Hydro Quebec’s Circuit Electrique, AddEnergie Flo.

-    Can log in with Facebook

-    Add your charging station on the map and request permission from new EV users, aka plugshare-ing.

-    Rate and comment on all charging stations 

4.    ChargePoint  - Chargepoint is a charging network. Think of it like a chain of stations offering charging to EVs. Their network expands all over the world, and they’re really good. They’re based in California with offices in Germany, Netherlands, and India. They offer a slew of charging solutions to businesses and homeowners. 

I’ve used their app and charging stations several times and here’s what I like;

-    Offers a wide network of stations  

-    Upload money on the app 

-    Tap phone on station to start charging – I keep the electronic card in my wallet app

-    Rate, review and leave photos of stations 

-    Search filters show charging capabilities 

5.  Google Maps – Chances are, you probably already have this app on your phone, and you know how to use it. All you need to know now is that you can type EV CHARGERS in the search bar, and a list of the nearest chargers will populate. 

Here’s what I like;

-    Familiar and easy to use

-    Includes pictures of each location 

-    Includes distance to each site with directions 

-    Includes the type of adaptor available at each station. 

All these apps are available to download from the app store on Android or iOS devices. There are other apps, of course, and as EVs grow in demand, these apps will grow as well. You can also check out the Flo app, Shell Recharge app or Ivy if you’re in Ontario. I’m keeping my eye on the Electrify Canada network and the Petro Canada Fast Charging network along the transcontinental Canadian highway.