The EV charging stations finder app market has been growing steadily and will continue to do so in the future. As the popularity of electric vehicle station app continues to rise, there is a growing need for charging stations across multiple locations. The majority of these stations are connected to charging networks which allow users access through an application on their mobile device.
To start developing an app, you need to know what features it should have, and you may also want to research the cost of building an app like this on various platforms. So this blog will help you understand all these goals.
What is the need for EV charging stations finder app
Electric vehicle charging stations have been popping up around the country. Every day, there is a new charging station being installed somewhere in the country.
This is a significant development, but it can be frustrating for a driver trying to figure out where these charging stations are located.
Most EV drivers want to know where they can charge their cars as soon as they realize they are low on power. If you’re an EV driver with a smartphone, there is now an app for that.
This app will help you locate EV charging stations with ease. You can also access availability, ratings, descriptions of charging stations, and other details.
How does an EV charging stations finder app work?
If you have a car, you need to register in the electric vehicle charging finder application with your phone number, email address, and password. On the other hand, you can also quickly register with your social media account.
After registration, you will need to enter your location or activate geolocation to find your location app. Browse the area and find important information about these stations, such as compatible electric cars, photos, details, costs, and availability. You can save time by making an appointment. Or you can charge your vehicle at the charging station.
With prior reservation through the charging finder app, you can track the load and progress of your program. You can also view the payment amount at the charging station or online.
Types of electric vehicles
Electric vehicles are also divided into several categories, the most important of which are:
Hybrid electric vehicle (HEV)
A hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) is a type of hybrid vehicle and electric vehicle that combines a conventional internal combustion engine propulsion system with an electric propulsion system. The presence of the electric powertrain is intended to achieve either better fuel economy than a traditional vehicle or, in some cases, to reduce emissions by running more efficiently.
Hybrid electric vehicles are powered by gas-engine and electric motors to operate the car. The regenerative braking technology generates all the energy the battery needs to recharge itself. The lost energy through braking is recouped to assist the gasoline engine while you accelerate the vehicle.
Per the IC engine, the braking mechanism usually loses energy through heat within the rotors and brake pads. But, this energy is reutilised in a hybrid EV to make the vehicle run economically with better mileage.
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV)
The plug-in hybrid electric vehicles also have engines and electric motors for driving the vehicle. Regular and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles can charge their batteries through regenerative braking. But plug-in hybrid EVs have an advantage over regular ones. Unlike regular hybrids that cannot be plugged into a charger, plug-in hybrid vehicles allow you to charge the battery through external power outlets.
The regular hybrid EVs can travel for around 1 to 2 miles at a low speed with their battery pack before the gasoline engine kicks in. But on the other hand, PHEVs can go up to 10 to 40 miles before the gas engines kick in. The plug-in hybrid EVs have a large battery pack and can be plugged into the grid to be recharged.
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) are hybrids that can be charged using an electrical outlet. The plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is a class of hybrid electric vehicles that use rechargeable energy storage devices such as batteries and flywheels for load-leveling and renewable energy applications.
They combine the characteristics of two different classes: on-road vehicles and utility-scale electrical energy storage systems.
Battery electric vehicle (BEV)
Battery EVs, also generally called electric vehicles, operate entirely on battery packs, with no gasoline engine as a backup. The batteries generate all the energy needed for running the car. They can be recharged from the power grids or recharge stations to complete a specified distance range upon full charge. Electric vehicles are free from all forms of emissions. They are highly in demand, and almost all vehicle manufacturers are coming up with EV options to cater to the rising needs of consumers.
A battery electric vehicle or a BEV is a vehicle that uses electricity stored in onboard batteries for propulsion. BEVs use electric motors and the maximum possible efficiency of an internal combustion engine. They do not need fuel, so they are cheaper to run and maintain. These vehicles are seen as the future of transportation because the technology is developing quickly, and it is considered cost-efficient.
Key features of an EV charging stations finder app
As the demand for electric vehicle station app rises, so does the need for EV charging stations. Driving an electric car can be a great experience, but you have to know where to go to charge up.
This requires a charging station finder application to tell you how far you can go and where to charge up when your battery is running low. So, here are the key features to be included in an EV charging station finder app.
1. Register
To use an app, every new user has to register with their email address, contact number, and password or an option to sign in with any of their social accounts. It will allow the users to add information about their vehicles, and the account will hold records of when and how much the car was charged.
2. User profile
Users can quickly edit and change their profiles. It has an image, car number, model, and name. If you are handing over the car to some of your friends or family members, give them temporary access to the application, which will help them better understand the car. In this way, they can use the right attachments and implement the right settings for charging the car.
3. Nearby charging station details
When users enter their location, the app searches for nearby charging stations and displays them. It saves users time and effort by eliminating the need to search for this service. Moreover, when you seek EV charging app development, ensure all of the nearest charging stations are mentioned with their distance from your current location. You can click on one of them to see the available facilities at the station and whether there are free ports.
4. Geographical position
This feature must be able to access the smartphone locations of the users in real-time to display the nearest charging stations. If users want to search for charging stations in a specific area manually, users can enter the address and see what options are available.
5. Filter
Users can search based on their inputs with advanced filter options. When looking for an electric car charging station, they use different filters to find an excellent service to save your time. For instance, if you are looking for fast charging stations only, you can select the option from the filter, and you will be provided with specific options.
6. Station details
The location app for electric charging stations must provide relevant information on each station and its service facilities.
7. Booking slots
With the EV charging stations finder app, users can book a period to pre-charge their vehicles. Moreover, upon seeking an electric vehicle charging station finder app development, users can book a slot in advance if they are just about to reach the station. This way, you will be sure that no one else will block the last charging hub before reaching for it. Thus, it is one of the greatest features to be added to the EV charging station finder.
8. Rating and review
When you are hiring professionals for your EV charging station app development job, make sure to add a feature, where the car owner can rate their experience and write a review about the charging station. Ratings and reviews help other users determine the quality of service and other aspects of the broadcaster. This way, the other EV vehicle owners can decide if they are heading out to a trustworthy charge station that doesn’t affect their vehicles adversely.
9. Payment options
Have different payment methods in the electric car charging station so that users can pay in the way of their choice. For example, you can allow them to pay with cash/credit card, PayPal, UPI, mobile e-wallet apps, and more.
10. Billing history
Car owners need to know how much money they are spending daily, weekly, and monthly. So, the app must track the number of reservations, the amount of energy loaded, and the amount paid by the user.
11. Push notification
The EV charging app can send users notifications or warnings about nearby charging stations and reminders of upcoming bookings, new entry offers, and more. If you have made up your bookings on priority, the applications will also send you notifications, reminding you about it.
If it has been long since your last recharge, the app will notify you to check your car’s battery percentage. If you have a connected car technology and link it with the EV charging stations app, then the car’s battery percentage will be notified as an alert to your mobile phone through the app.
12. Chatbot support
Chatbots equipped with artificial intelligence can provide timely support and answer users’ questions. They can also leave unanswered questions for the responsible team.
13. Electric vehicle travel planner
When users plan a long trip, they have to pick up their vehicles in different locations. You can add a trip planner feature to make everything more user-friendly. This feature allows users to view the start and endpoints of their tour.
14. In-app navigation
This function enables users to find charging stations for electric cars in real-time on the map. It also takes you to charge points.
15. Bonus points
Users who regularly use the EV app receive bonus points in promotional vouchers, coupons, free monthly memberships, and other benefits. You can use these incentives to increase user retention and attract more users to your program.
Why invest in an EV charging stations finder app?
Electric vehicle charging stations have been around for a while, but they’ve never been a trendy choice of car owners. That’s because they were difficult to use and had limited availability. As more people get into EVs, demand will continue to rise for electric charging stations.
The global market for charging stations for electric vehicles is expected to grow between 2020 and 2027 at a combined annual growth rate of 46.6%, from 2,115,000 units in 2020 to 30,758,000 units in 2027.
There have been approximately 96,536 public charging points in the USA since December 2020. Due to this, there is an increased demand for charging stations. So, companies are struggling to keep up with a growing number of EV vehicles.
And, the number of EVs on the road is expected to increase by over 90% over the next five years, which means there will be many people who need to recharge their cars.
The primary trend for investing in the EV charging station app is the need for carbon-free transportation and government initiatives to promote green vehicles through subsidies, tax cuts, and other instruments.
Furthermore, these statistics show that the market for electric vehicles is rapidly expanding. As a result, an EV charging station app can help you start a profitable business in the future.
Business model of EV charging stations finder app
As electric car adoption rises, the need for charging stations will increase as well. This section is about creating a business model for an app that serves as a platform to solve this problem and earn money from it.
Paid / sponsored ads
You can allow affiliates to display promotional content or advertisements in your app. This is one of the most effective ways to monetize your app. You can view and bill their ads based on views, clicks, etc. Most electric car charging apps do not charge users for using this app. This type of business model can make a lot of money from displaying promotional content.
Membership fee
Charge a reasonable fee from the user for the services and benefits you provide. This allows you to charge monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually for the users. As a result, you will make money every time a new user joins. In addition, renewal costs from current users increase your revenue.
How much does it cost to develop an EV charging station finder app?
To create an EV Station Finder app, you must first analyze the needs, features, and functions your app will require.
This will help you determine the estimated cost of your plan. Several important factors affect the overall cost of app development.
The scope of the application development company you choose, the functionality you want to incorporate, the platform you choose (Android, iOS, or both), and the complexity of the application are important considerations.
Regardless of the factors mentioned, the average cost of developing an EV station finder app would be anywhere from $ 10,000 to $ 400,000.
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Conclusion
There are many ways to develop an app for your EV charging station network, but it’s essential to have the right features and functionalities to receive a good ROI. In this article, we’ve talked about some of the best-in-class features your app should have to be profitable. If you want to learn more or develop an app for your EV charging station network, hire a skilled app developer right away.
