Best EV Apps for Charging, Navigation & Monitoring
One of the great things about driving an electric vehicle in the digital age is the abundance of apps that can enhance your experience. From finding the nearest available charging station to planning a road trip route with optimal charge stops, and even keeping tabs on your EV’s efficiency and health – yes, there’s an app for that! Here we’ve compiled some of the best EV apps across three categories: charging, navigation, and vehicle monitoring. These apps will help you charge smarter, drive farther, and stay informed about your electric car.
Apps for Finding & Managing EV Charging
Charging infrastructure is growing rapidly, but it’s spread across various networks and locations. These apps help you locate stations, check availability, and even pay for charging with ease:
PlugShare: The universal charging station map. PlugShare is considered a must-have for any EV driver. It crowdsources a comprehensive map of hundreds of thousands of charging stations worldwide[74]. You can filter by plug type (e.g., CCS, CHAdeMO, Tesla), charging speed (Level 2, DC fast), and see real-time status where available. What makes PlugShare great is the community aspect – users check in and leave reviews, photos, and tips for each station[75]. Heading on a road trip? You can use PlugShare’s trip planner feature to plot charging stops along your route. It’s also handy for finding free chargers or locating chargers at specific businesses. PlugShare doesn’t limit to one network; it includes everything from Electrify America to ChargePoint to Tesla Superchargers (yes, even Tesla stations are listed for reference)[76]. Cost: Free (account optional for check-ins). If you get just one charging app, PlugShare is a top choice for its broad coverage and community info.
ChargePoint: One of the largest charging networks, ChargePoint’s app not only shows their own stations (over 30,000 stations across North America[77]), but also can show partner network stations (like EVgo, FLO, etc.) via roaming agreements[78]. With the ChargePoint app, you can start a charging session from your phone, get notifications when your car is done charging, and see rates. It also displays user tips and whether a station is currently in use. If you have a ChargePoint Home charger, the app also integrates control of your home charging (scheduling, reminders, tracking energy use)[79]. It’s a solid all-in-one if you frequently use ChargePoint or affiliated stations.
Electrify America: If you drive longer distances in the U.S. or have a non-Tesla EV, you’ll likely use Electrify America’s fast chargers along highways. Their app is essential for locating stations, initiating charges, and getting real-time station status. You can see how many stalls are available, and the app will send notifications like “Charging paused” or “Charger error” in case something needs your attention. EA’s app also handles their Pass+ membership, which for \$4 monthly gives you a discount on charging rates[80][81]. While some users have noted occasional app glitches in the past, EA has been updating it steadily. It’s wise to have this app set up with payment info in advance, so when you roll up to an Electrify America charger, you’re ready to plug and charge seamlessly.
EVgo: Another major fast-charge network in the U.S., EVgo’s app lets you reserve a charger at certain locations – a unique feature if you want peace of mind that a charger will be waiting for you[82]. It also offers filtering by connector and power level, monitoring of your charging session, and a rewards program integration. EVgo has a session-based payment system and membership plans, all accessible through the app. If EVgo stations populate your area (often found in urban cores and shopping centers), having this app can streamline your charging stops.
Tesla: Tesla owners likely already use the official Tesla app for myriad functions (it acts as a key, controls charging, climate, etc.). But even non-Tesla drivers might consider the Tesla app now that Tesla is opening some of its Supercharger network to other EVs. The Tesla app is required to access those Magic Dock Superchargers (with CCS adapters) for non-Tesla EVs. With the app, you can see Supercharger locations, availability, and start a charge as a guest (for other EVs) or automatically (if you have a Tesla). Tesla’s network is famed for reliability, so tapping into it can be a game-changer for road trips. Keep in mind not all Tesla stations are open to others yet (the app will show which ones are). For Tesla owners, the app’s deep integration (showing idle fees, preconditioning battery when navigating to a Supercharger, etc.) is second to none[83].
Shell Recharge (and other regional apps): In Europe (and parts of U.S.), Shell Recharge (formerly Greenlots) provides an app covering their network. It’s similar to ChargePoint in functionality – find stations, see availability, start/stop charging, etc.[84]. In some regions, one app can access multiple networks via roaming. For example, Octopus Electroverse in the UK/EU is an app that aggregates many networks in one (almost like a “roaming wallet” for chargers)[85][86]. It’s useful to research if there’s a dominant aggregator app in your country (e.g., Flo in Canada, Chargemap in EU). These can simplify cross-network use with a single account.
Volta: Volta specializes in free charging stations at retail locations, supported by advertising. Their app shows where these free Level 2 (and some DC fast) stations are near you[87]. You can check how long a session can last (most free sessions are capped at e.g. 2 hours)[88]. While slower than paid fast charge, free juice while you shop is always nice. If you want to take advantage of free charging around town, Volta’s app will guide you and even navigate to the station.
Each charging app has its niche. Which ones to get? If you’re in North America: PlugShare + ChargePoint + your preferred fast network (EA, EVgo, or local network) covers a lot. In Europe: a multi-network app (like Plugsurfing, Chargemap, or Octopus Electroverse) plus PlugShare will serve you well. And if you’re a Tesla driver, the Tesla app is your main tool, but consider PlugShare for third-party stations when needed. Many of these apps allow adding your vehicle model to filter compatible stations – do that to avoid confusion (e.g., filter out CHAdeMO if your car can’t use it).
Apps for EV Navigation & Trip Planning
While Google Maps and Apple Maps have begun integrating EV charging stops in their navigation, dedicated EV route planners offer finer control and tailored guidance. Here are the top picks:
A Better Routeplanner (ABRP): Widely regarded as one of the best EV trip planning apps, ABRP lets you plan long journeys by inputting your specific EV model, current charge, desired charge at arrival, and more[89]. It then calculates the optimal charging stops, how long to charge at each, and total travel time. ABRP is very “battery-aware” – it considers your car’s efficiency, the terrain, temperature, wind, extra weight, etc., especially if you configure those details[90]. You can adjust settings like maximum speed or how much buffer (%) to have at each stop. Free version gives basic planning; a premium subscription (~\$5/month) adds live traffic, weather, and real-time car telemetry integration for adjustments on the fly[91][92]. ABRP supports almost all EV models and is continuously updated. It’s available on web and as an app (even integrates with CarPlay/Android Auto). If you’re doing a cross-country or multi-country EV trip, ABRP is a fantastic tool to ensure you never run out of juice between stops.
Google Maps (with EV features): Google Maps is ubiquitous and has improved for EV drivers. In EV-specific features, Google Maps will show charging stations along your route (especially if you search for chargers or if your car’s Android Automotive system is integrated)[93][94]. It also offers live availability for chargers from certain networks (in 2025, Google had partnerships to show real-time status in many countries)[95]. One-tap filters like “fast chargers only” can be applied. While it may not optimize your entire multi-stop charging plan as ABRP does, Google Maps is excellent for on-the-go finding of the next stop or if you just need a simple route with one charge stop. Additionally, many new EVs with Android Automotive (like Polestar, Volvo, GM’s upcoming models) have Google Maps built-in which directly takes into account your battery level and adds charging stops automatically[96]. So if your car has that, leverage it – it’s pretty user-friendly.
EVNavigation: A specialized app (particularly known in Europe), EVNavigation does similar things to ABRP but with a user-friendly twist. It accounts for factors like number of passengers, payload, outside temperature, wind, and even tire pressure to give a highly accurate range estimate[97]. Its standout feature is an advanced range prediction tool – you can input variables and it will show how far you’ll get[98]. It’s useful for scenario planning (e.g., “Can I make it if it’s 0°C outside with 4 people in the car?”). EVNavigation also integrates finding charging stations and can map routes. It might not cover every region, but it’s a cool tool for those who want precision.
Manufacturer Navigation Systems: If your EV’s built-in navigation offers EV routing (many do), it can be great for daily use. For example, Tesla’s nav automatically plans Supercharger stops and even factors in wind and elevation, taking the guesswork out. Ford’s Sync system for the Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning includes the “Intelligent Range” feature and will suggest charging stops on long trips. VW and Hyundai have similar capabilities. The advantage is that these are in-car, and often they communicate with the car to know state of charge in real time. The disadvantage is sometimes the UI or data might not be as robust as something like ABRP or always know about third-party chargers. A hybrid approach is common: use your car’s nav for primary guidance, but have an app like ABRP or PlugShare as backup/verification, especially if you plan to use non-brand charging networks.
Waze (community updates): Waze doesn’t have built-in EV routing or charger info by default. However, some EV drivers still use Waze for its superior traffic avoidance and community alerts, then manually plot charging stops. It’s not EV-specific, but worth a mention since you could use Waze in tandem with knowledge of where you’ll charge. Google has been merging some Waze features into Maps too.
For daily navigation, Google Maps or Apple Maps with EV charger layers might suffice. For trip planning beyond your car’s range, ABRP is often hailed as the gold standard[89]. Many EV owners, even Tesla drivers, use ABRP to plan complex routes or compare different route options, then follow the plan using their car or Google Maps. As a golden rule: plan for contingencies. These apps give good plans, but always have a margin. If ABRP says you’ll arrive at the next charger with 5% battery, consider driving a bit slower or have a Plan B station in mind in case you need it. The apps make planning easy – maybe even fun – as you can see how slight changes affect your total travel time.
Apps for Monitoring Your EV’s Performance and Health
Beyond charging and navigation, there’s a category of apps that let you delve into vehicle monitoring – tracking your efficiency, driving behavior, and even the health of your EV’s battery.
Manufacturer Companion Apps: Before exploring third-party, note that nearly every EV comes with an official app from the manufacturer. These typically let you monitor state of charge, start/stop charging, check range, and often see driving statistics. For example, the NissanConnect EV app (for Leaf) shows current charge and lets you start charging or climate control remotely. Ford’s FordPass app for the Mach-E gives you a trip summary with efficiency. These are essential for remote functions and basic monitoring. If you haven’t fully used your car’s app, be sure to explore its features first. However, many manufacturer apps don’t provide deep analytics or long-term history – that’s where third-party apps step in.
TezLab (for Tesla and more): TezLab is like a fitness tracker for your EV (coined as the “Fitbit for Teslas” initially). It started as a Tesla community app but now also supports other brands like Ford and Rivian. TezLab automatically logs every drive you take, every charging session, and gives you efficiency metrics, comparisons, and even a bit of gamification[99][100]. With TezLab, you can see how your watt-hours per mile (Wh/mi) or kWh/100km on each trip compares to others or to your past averages. It’ll show you battery health stats (for Teslas, it can estimate degradation by comparing your range now to when new)[101][102]. It also has fun features like a leaderboard where you can “compete” on efficiency or see who has visited the most charging stations[103]. The app can notify you of things like phantom drain (loss of charge while idle)[104]. For Tesla, it’s arguably the best third-party app – offering far more data than the official Tesla app (like detailed maps of your drives, energy used, etc.). It’s free with optional premium subscription for deeper data. If you’re a data geek or just curious about your driving habits, TezLab is incredibly insightful. (Note: for non-Tesla vehicles, it might require connecting via the car’s API or linking accounts – support varies by model.)
MyChevy / FordPass / etc. with added features: Some OEM apps have improved. The MyChevrolet app for the Bolt, for instance, added an “Energy Assist” feature that incorporates route planning and finding chargers. While not as robust as dedicated apps, it’s an example of built-in monitoring expanding into journey planning. Keep an eye on your OEM app updates; features like trip energy usage breakdowns may appear.
LeafSpy (for Nissan Leaf): A special mention – Nissan Leaf’s early models didn’t provide much battery health data to users, so an independent app called LeafSpy became popular. Using a Bluetooth OBD-II adapter, LeafSpy can read battery cell voltages, state of health (% of original capacity), and even things like how many quick charge cycles the car has had. This is more technical monitoring, but it’s invaluable for Leaf owners, especially used ones, to monitor battery degradation which is a key concern on those vehicles. It’s an example of a car-specific monitoring app. Similarly, there are ones for other brands (e.g., BimmerCode or BimmerLink can pull data from BMW i models, etc.), though none as famous as LeafSpy.
OBD-II EV Apps: For those inclined, any EV with an OBD-II port (which is most) can output a wealth of data via generic apps like Torque Pro or CarScanner if you have the right PID codes (parameters IDs) for EV-specific metrics. There are communities online sharing how to get data like battery temperature, max cell delta, etc. out of various models. For most casual users, this is not necessary – but for enthusiasts, an OBD app can essentially let you see what the car’s computers see. For instance, Hyundai Kona EV owners have extracted battery health info using such methods.
Recurrent Auto (Battery Reports): Not exactly an app for daily use, but worth mentioning: Recurrent is a service that provides battery health reports for used EVs. You can sign up and connect your vehicle (certain models) and it will track your battery over time and compare to benchmarks[8]. They produce a monthly report with stats like your estimated remaining capacity and how it stacks up against similar cars. This is more for long-term battery monitoring (especially if you plan to sell the car, it’s nice documentation) rather than day-to-day usage, but it’s unique and useful for understanding your EV’s main asset – the battery.
Optiwatt / EV.Energy (Charging utilities): These apps connect to your car or charger and help optimize charging, especially if you have time-of-use electricity rates. For example, Optiwatt (available in North America for Tesla, Ford, etc.) syncs with your utility plan and will schedule your car to charge at the cheapest times automatically to save on your bill. It also tracks cost per charge and total energy usage at home. Similarly, ev.energy (the app behind some utility programs) can schedule and even earn you rewards for charging during off-peak. While not “monitoring” in terms of driving stats, they monitor your charging patterns and make them smarter, which is a nice efficiency and cost tool.
Dashboard Telematics from Car: Some EVs have built-in screens that give a ton of info – like how your recent driving energy was divided (propulsion vs climate vs battery conditioning). For example, newer GM and Ford EVs show this breakdown after each trip or charge. While not an app, being aware of these features in your car can provide great insight. Check your car’s infotainment – there may be an “Energy” or “Efficiency” section (GM EVs have an Energy app, Hyundai’s have an EV screen, etc.). They often let you monitor consumption in real time and see history. Combine that knowledge with apps, and you’ll be very informed.
Putting It All Together
With these apps at your fingertips, owning and operating an EV becomes even more convenient and fun:
- Before or during a trip, use PlugShare or ABRP to plan your charging stops and ensure you know where to plug in.
- Day to day, use your car’s app or TezLab to check your charge status, remotely start charging, or see how efficiently you drove to work.
- When you need a charge around town, fire up ChargePoint or your relevant network app to quickly find an available station and maybe even start the session without pulling out a credit card.
- And whenever you’re curious, you can dig into stats and health: check Recurrent or LeafSpy to see how your battery’s holding up after a year of use, or brag via TezLab that you got a new personal best efficiency on a long drive.
One more honorable mention: campus/parking apps – some universities or cities have their own apps for local charging networks or parking with EV charging. If you frequent a specific area, see if they have a dedicated app (for example, some workplaces use the ChargePoint app, others have bespoke systems).
Remember that phone apps should ideally complement in-car interfaces. Please don’t operate these while driving – set things up beforehand or while parked. Many EVs with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto will allow certain apps (e.g., PlugShare and ChargePoint have CarPlay integration now, ABRP does via CarPlay if subscribed, etc.) so you can see chargers on your car’s screen. Utilize that for safer, easier use.
In conclusion, embrace the ecosystem of EV apps: they can reduce range anxiety, save you money, and feed your inner data nerd. Plus, they connect you with a community of EV drivers through shared info and experiences (especially community-driven apps like PlugShare and TezLab where you see others’ input). Part of EV ownership is a tech-forward lifestyle – and these apps are very much a part of that. Load up your smartphone with a few of these, and you’ll be an EV pro in no time, always knowing where to charge and how to optimize your electric ride.
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