Guide to Develop EV Charging Station Finder App

The automobile industry is undergoing a big green revolution because of the development of electric vehicles. Over the past ten years, the EV market has grown significantly. The demand for electric vehicles has risen as a result of effective green development. Since there aren’t many EV charging stations, businesses are creating charging station locator applications.

The market for apps for EV chargers is expanding quickly and will do so going forward. The need for installing EV charging stations in several areas is rising as they become more and more popular. The majority of these stations are part of a charging network, so customers may access them and find EV charging station finder apps on their mobile devices. Customers now have it simpler to find an EV charging station nearby thanks to the introduction of these apps. Additionally, the applications enable users to reserve a space well in advance and make payments directly through the apps used by electric vehicle charging stations.

When a customer buys an electric vehicle they no longer need to receive normal service. There is a need for an App to Find EV Charging Stations. The Best App for Finding EV Charging Stations saves you the hassle. It can’t be as comfortable as a regular petrol car at the gas station,  you need to be strategic about refueling.  This article will shed the light on the development of the EV charging station finder app.

What is the EV Charging Station Finder App?

An EV charging Station Finder app will show the location of charging across stations across the locality. The app provides information such as the types of plugs the station supports. This app gives users access to real-time availability, photos, ratings, and descriptions of charging stations.

Apart from this, the app allows users to find and add EV charging stations. You can also turn on notifications that alert you when a charging station is nearby. The EV charging station finder app displays charging stations for a different stations in your area. You can receive various information about the app such as port types supported by the station. The users can also enable notifications to send alerts when the charging station is nearby. Apart from this, there are various other benefits to developing EV charging station finder applications.

How Does an EV Charging Station Finder App Works?

• Depending on the operating system of your phone you can download the EV Charger Finder application Google Play Store for Android and Apple App Store for iOS
• Once you download and install the application users need to register or login into the application with the login ID or using social media login
• Users will provide access to the current location, enter an address, or find their location on the built-in map
• The application will show the nearby charging stations along with mandatory information with the help of GPS
• Users can view details regarding charging stations such as the available slots, type of plugs available, charging types available, user feedback, and more information
• Users can also manually select the distance or radius of the area in which the app is to find EV charging stations app
• Users can also see the amount that has to pay while charging users can pay after changing or through the app also
• With the help of the EV charging station, finder app users can see the status of the battery while it’s in charge. With the help of this user will have an idea of how much time is left in the charging
• After selecting the EV charging stations users can book the slot available in the area
• Users can also view the history of the charging stations where the car was charged. This will include information like the time it took to charge, what amount was paid, kilometers in which he was charged, and so on

Why you should go for developing an EV Charging Station Finder App?

The EV industry is growing at a rapid speed, especially in the united states and china. The EV charging industry is a dynamic industry with a wide range of applications and is gaining popularity in the automobile industry. The following stats provide the stats that prove the popularity.

According to Fortune Business Insights, The size of the world market for electric vehicle charging stations was USD 24.16 billion in 2020. Electric car charging stations have seen a decline in demand across all areas as a result of COVID-19’s unprecedented and disastrous effects on the planet. According to our data, the worldwide market showed a considerable fall of -39.11 percent in 2020 compared to the average year-over-year increase from 2017–2019. According to projections, the market would increase at a CAGR of 30.26 percent throughout the projected period, rising from USD 17.59 billion in 2021 to USD 111.90 billion in 2028. When the pandemic is gone, this market’s demand and growth will resume to pre-pandemic levels, explaining the abrupt increase in CAGR.

Apart from this developing an EV charging station finding app also provides various benefits. Following are some of the benefits.

Advantages of Developing an EV Charging Station Finding App

As there are benefits to using any application, the EV charging station finder app is no different. Following are the advantage of developing an EV charging station finding app.

First Mover Advantage

One of the key advantages you can get while developing an EV charging station finder app is that you won’t have much competition. When you’re in the initial stage you can use the try and error method.

Easy Access

For users of Electric vehicles, access to the charging spot will become easier. Developing the EV charging station finder app will provide convenience. Reducing the time spent on seeking a place to charge.

Time-Saving

With the help of the EV charging station finder app, the users can save time using the app and reserving the spot. Let’s understand this with the help of an example. Suppose you are planning the journey to Florida so you can plan your journey accordingly using the app and see at what distance the charging stations are available so you can plan the trip accordingly.

Put your Store on the Map

Additionally, EV charging helps retailers become more well-known. For quick location-based charging location discovery, EV drivers rely on EV charging applications like ChargePoint’s smartphone app. Drivers may quickly find retail businesses that offer to charge for their vehicles when they search for charging sites in our app. Since EV owners frequently charge their cars while they shop, having charging stations nearby might influence customers to choose a certain business over a rival location.

Access to a wider range of Audience

Retailers may establish virtual “Connections” with the drivers who use their stations by implementing smart EV charging that enables drivers to communicate with stations through the internet via a mobile app. Retail businesses can learn more about who is using their stations and are given new insight into their customers as a result of this, which only requires drivers to submit a straightforward connection request in the app.

Also Read: Mobile App Development Best Practices to Follow

Monetization Opportunities for EV Charging Station Finder App

After developing an EV charging station finder app, it is obvious that you want to earn money from it. There are various ways in which you can earn money from the application. Some of them are discussed below:

Advertisement

Advertisements are the most common methods to earn some money from mobile app. these apps advertise through an application. The applications are free of cost but they use ads for the revenue.

There are five different types of native advertisements:

Notification Ads

Consumers are alerted to their presence when they appear on a user’s mobile device’s status bar. They may not be the most well-liked adverts accessible, which might harm your app’s reputation.

Capture Form

These provide incentives, such as points or tokens, to people who enter their email addresses in exchange for participation. The most commonly seen capture variants are found in mobile games.

Fullscreen Ads

These advertisements are typically placed when breaks naturally occur, such as when changing menus. Because they don’t hinder consumer’s ability to use your product, they are more likely to get clicks without making them angry.

Advanced Overlay

They use transition points, which are similar to interstitial advertising. They resemble a cross between full-screen and capture-form ads. Nevertheless, they involve interaction rather than merely taking images.

Banner Ads

Since they are more intrusive than other sorts, app banner ads—frequently seen at the top or bottom of the screen—perform less well than other kinds. To avoid upsetting your customers, consider whether to include one in your company’s app.

Sponsorship

In your EV locator app, you may authorize affiliates to run advertisements or promotional content. One of the best strategies for making money off of your program is this one. Customers are often not charged to use the majority of electric car charging applications. For this type of business plan, displaying promotional content might provide a sizable amount of cash. A renowned individual, such as an actress or a social media influencer, might draw notice to the EV finding app by promoting it.

Paid Membership

For the benefits and services you provide, set a fair price for the user to pay. You may now charge customers either monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually. As a result, you will gain whenever a new member joins. Additionally, renewal payments from current clients raise your revenue. The goal of the revenue model is to generate a profit without upsetting or depriving the users.

E-commerce Integration

You may increase revenue by including eCommerce features through membership. The user must first sign up with the EV charging station finder app by paying a fee to utilize it. Because of this, each time a consumer purchases your program, you will make money. You can charge customers for making a reservation at a charging station even if you want to provide membership for free. This applies to charging stations as well.

Key Features of the EV Charging Station Finder App

Like any other app, the Ev charging app also has a few key features for the ease of the customer. Some of the significant features include:

Searching & Filters

Based on their inputs users can find the EV charging station finder app using complex filters.  Generally, they employ various filters while searching for the charging station and save time. According to the requirements, the user should be able to find a charging station.

Built-in Navigation

With the help of mapping API and GPS, users will be able to locate on the charging station map in real-time. It is also possible that the app may provide some information regarding the location of charging.

Various Payment Options

In this digital world, people are less relying on physical money, rather there is a rise in usage of Net banking, Credit/debit cards, UPI, popular wallets, and other ways. It is advisable not to remain dependable on one payment module only. It is also possible that you can also design your wallet, which will allow users to save certain charges and save money.

Push Notifications

Of all the aspects, this is also among the most crucial. app offers, Reminders, reservations, and many other items are all sent to users via alerts.

Slot Reservation

The most crucial aspect is this one. Users ought to be able to reserve spaces for charging their cars without leaving the site. They benefit from saving time and avoiding large lines.

Billing History

Users may use this feature to keep a record of the invoices they’ve paid. It makes it easier for them to monitor their energy usage and automobile payments. They are aware of their cyclical patterns of use.

Ratings and Reviews

This function enables users to score their interaction with the stations they are visiting. It can aid new station visitors in understanding the station’s actual status. This concept also provides the station owners with a roadmap for improving their offerings to clients

Also Read: Native Vs Hybrid Vs Cross-Platform App Development

Factors Affecting the Cost to Develop the EV Charging App

The cost of developing an EV charging station finder app depends on various factors such as features, what you want to include, integrations, platform, and more.

­App Platform

The type of platform you want to develop your app for whether it is Android, iOS, Web, or you are going Cross-Platform solutions.

Technology Used

It also depends on the Technology used to build the application. The developer’s availability in the said technology and the market share also impact the cost of app development.

Third-party Integrations

If you want to add any special feature or any special framework to your application it is going to require additional support. These additional supports can be used to enhance the performance and functionality of the applications.

UI/UX Design

The cost of the application can also depend on the design you are finalizing for the user application. If your application has a more complex design then that will also add to the cost of app development.

App Security

Often this part of the development is not given much thought. But the expenses incurred for application protection and security should also be taken into mind while fixing the budget. As applications nowadays are dealing with sensitive data.

Features Included

The cost also depends on the application complexity, features that you want to include, and functionalities your application offers.

Maintenance Cost

One of the important costs to consider is Maintenance Cost. It is also important to take note of post-deployment expenses to maintain the application or update the application to the newer version.

App Hosting

Application hosting is also one of the factors when calculating the cost of the EV charging station finder app. It depends on the type of hosting services you choose to host your application.

The estimated cost of an EV station finder app with basic features is $10,000 – $3,50,000. Moreover, here is the list of costs that can vary and change in the coming future depending on the demands.

Tech Stack required for Developing EV Charging Station Finder App

Choosing the right tech stack is important for the smooth development of an application. Following is the preferred tech stack for developing an EV charging station finder app.

For Application

For Business

For Utilities

API used

What is the Best App for an EV Charging Station Finder App?

We all live with cell phones today, there is no denying that. Drivers of electric vehicles may find new meaning in them. You can locate the necessary charging station with the help of the EV Charging Station Finder app. the following are the most widely used smartphone applications for locating electric vehicle charging stations:

ChargePoint

Electric car charging stations may be found all around the world at ChargePoint. Tap your phone against a charging station to start charging because the app supports NFC. The process may begin without even launching the app. More than 100,000 charging outlets are available on the app. Using the app, users may view information about their car’s charging status, including the amount of power it has received, an estimate of the number of kilometers driven, and the cost of charging (if applicable). It has a rating of 4.5 stars and is accessible on iOS and Android

PlugShare

A well-known smartphone application called PlugShare helps users find charging stations all across the world. This software allows you to look up charging stations, provide reviews, and connect with other electric car owners. High precision may be found in the program. The bulk of the remainder of the globe, as well as North America and Europe, have vast networks. The number of charging stations on this network exceeds 400,000. Users may seek stations based on their location, network, and connection type. Additionally, you may find out which charging stations are cost-free and which need a price. Paying is another feature of the app. With a 4.6 star rating, the app is accessible on iOS and Android.

Chargemap

Chargemap is used by more than 330,000 owners of electric vehicles to quickly search for and find charging stations. The app makes a point of stressing how many nations and networks it supports and that its headquarters are in France. The Chargemap offers a very polished user interface with several filter options. However, you must create an account with the app to utilize it. Chargemap is a 4.5-star rated app that can be downloaded on both iOS and Android. It has had over 100,000 downloads.

EVgo

The largest American network of charging stations belongs to EVgo. Customer reviews, however, suggest that it could be more expensive than its rivals, which explains why it gets lower marks. The charging stations would be easy to discover, and you could check to see which ones were currently working. The amount that your car has been charged is not, however, shown on the app. 3.7-star rating, more than 50,000 downloads, and accessible on iOS and Android.

Also Read: How Much Does it Cost to Hire App Developers

Major EV Charging Network Providers to collaborate

Some of the major EV Charging Network Providers are as follows:

Tesla

Tesla is a manufacturer of electric vehicles and it has a network of what it calls Superchargers that it owns and runs. In addition to the 14,081 Superchargers it maintains at Tesla dealerships, the business also maintains 1,604 charging stations across the world. Use is limited to Tesla automobiles only because they have a special type of connector; there is no requirement for membership. If not, an SAE adapter can be used to charge Teslas. Generally speaking, the price is $0.28 per kWh but might vary based on region and other variables. In cases where charges are calculated based on time spent, the rates are 13 cents for kWh less 60 and 26 cents for kWh above 60. Tesla has reintroduced its practice of providing free, unrestricted access to Superchargers to new Model S and Model X buyers.

Electrify America

Volkswagen, an automobile manufacturer, owns Electrify America, which was created as part of its agreement with the government regarding the diesel emissions crisis. By the end of the year, it hopes to have 480 rapid charging stations set up in 17 urban regions across 42 states, with each station being no more than 70 miles apart. Although it is not necessary to enroll, receiving a discount for doing so is part of the company’s Pass+ plan. The cost of charging is determined by the location and the maximum power level the vehicle can handle and is calculated per minute.

Blink

Car Charging Group, Inc. owns the Blink network, which runs 3,275 public Level 2 and Level 3 chargers around the US. The usage of a Blink charger does not need a membership, however, depending on your membership level, joining can result in financial savings. From $0.04 to $0.06 per minute, or $0.39 to $0.79 per kWh, is the baseline price for Level 2 charging. Level 3 rapid charging costs between $6.99 and $9.99 each session or $0.49 to $0.69 per kWh.

Tata Power

In India, Tata is a well-known company with interests in electric cars, communications, aviation, and the automotive industry. The company levies fees for the use of its electric cars, as well as for public, office, and commercial charging stations. Nine states, including Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad, as well as important cities, are home to it. The first Tata Power charging station debuted in Mumbai. Memorandums of Understanding for public charging infrastructure at IOCL, HPCL, and IGL sites Additionally, it offers an app that EV owners may use to locate charging stations on an aerial map, get charging-related information, and make online payments.

Webasto Group

Webasto is a German company that was established in 1901 and has its headquarters in Stockdorf. It offers roof systems, thermal systems, e-solutions & services, and charging options for electric cars. The firm competes in the global EV charging station market through its Charging Solutions section. The business provides high-performance charging options including Webasto Pure (charging capacity: 11 kW to 22 kW) and Webasto Live (22 kW). The corporation has a global presence spanning Europe, the Americas, Asia-Pacific, and other nations thanks to its subsidiary and robust distribution network. Webasto Roof Systems Inc. (Germany), CoSyst Control Systems GmbH (Germany), Webasto Roof Systems China Limited (China), Webasto Roof & Components Se (Germany), Webasto SpA (Italy), and Schaidt Innovations GmbH & Co. KG are some of the key subsidiaries of the Webasto Group (Germany).

Beny

As a top producer of DC components, BENY is a name to know. Founded in 2011, its headquarter is in Yueqing City, China.  The company deals in the manufacture of DC products, and PV products, and provides energy solutions.  It has been acknowledged as Australia’s leading manufacturer of DC isolator switches. The business prioritizes superior quality, innovation, efficiency, accountability, and client happiness. America, Europe, Australia, and Southeast Asia are now included in their market reach. For over 25 years, the organization has provided outstanding service.

Wrapping Up!

The EV market is rapidly growing with its unique features of transforming the future. There are many ways to develop an EV charging station finder app. But you must initially perform a deep on the requirements, business market, and features. Choose the compatible tech stack so that your app can perform flawlessly and give the ultimate user experience.