As the number of electric vehicles in Canada grows, so too does the need for apps designed specifically to the needs of EV drivers. In this article, we’ll list six must-have apps for EV owners in Canada for 2024.
PlugShare
Free to use, available for Android and iOS devices
PlugShare is a service that allows users to find public EV charging stations across Canada and throughout the world. While the website version of PlugShare is popular, the mobile app is popular as well. Some of the key features and benefits of the PlugShare app are:
- A database of over 250,000 charging stations in Canada and the U.S.
- Allows users to filter their search by station type (e.g., DC fast charging or level 2 charging), charging network, connector types, and nearby amenities.
- Make secure payments with the Pay with PlugShare feature (*at participating locations).
- Check the availability of a station, e.g., whether it is in use or under construction.
- Drivers can list their home charging stations for public use. These users have complete control over the station’s availability, the personal information displayed, and how other members can contact them.
- Read reviews of a station from other drivers.
Thanks to its user-friendly interface and helpful features, the PlugShare app is popular among Canadian EV owners. Several drivers have said the app helped them find specific charging units in their area.
A Better Routeplanner
Free to use, available for Android and iOS devices. A premium subscription is available
A Better Routeplanner (ABRP for short) is an app for EV drivers to plan trips, taking into account the location of charging stations along the way. Users can enter their EV’s make and model, battery capacity, and desired charging levels to generate a route that optimizes driving range while minimizing charging time. Factors taken into consideration when generating a route include weather, elevation, and traffic conditions. Drivers can also customize various options, including specifying charging station types, adding waypoints, or adjusting charging settings. Once a route is generated, ABRP provides data insights into charging costs, average energy consumption (e.g., km/kWH), charging times, and the total energy used by the EV during the trip.
A Better Routeplanner is a helpful app for EV drivers travelling long distances. It helps alleviate range anxiety and helps by generating routes that maximize battery efficiency. The app also provides accurate estimates of travel and charging times. While many drivers appreciate the function of the app, some have reported issues with the user interface, calling it clunky and glitchy. Others have found the app complicated to use. While experiences can vary, it is important to keep the UX complaints in mind when using A Better Routeplanner.
EV Connect Canada
Free to use, available for Android and iOS devices
EV Connect Canada is a charging management app that lets users find public stations in their area and gives them control over their charging session. Drivers can:
- Monitor their current charge session in real time.
- Search for and find charging stations based on location, station ID, availability, charging level provided, and accessibility.
- Favourite spots that are home to their commonly used charging stations.
- Receive notifications as soon as their EV is finished charging.
- View a detailed report of charging sessions, including information on the cost and the amount of energy provided.
- Conduct secure payments.
The EV Connect Canada app is user-friendly and has helped numerous drivers find charging stations on the EV Connect Canada network. While some drivers said they had difficulty with the initial setup, the app operated smoothly for them afterward. Drivers have also said that the interface was well-designed and easy to navigate. While the EV Connect Canada app has many useful features, some drivers have made suggestions, like a longer transaction history or insights as to the number of kilowatts being provided during a charge.
Tesla
Free to use, available for Android and iOS devices
The Tesla app is an essential tool for every Tesla owner. The app lets users control various aspects of their Tesla via their mobile device:
- Lock or unlock the vehicle
- Turn the AC or heating on/off and monitor the cabin climate
- Check the vehicle’s charging information
- Set charging schedule and stop/start charging sessions remotely
- Open or close the charge port
- See where your vehicle is located
- View the vehicle’s estimated range and battery level
- Open the front trunk
- Control the media and entertainment system
- View your vehicle’s odometer, VIN, and current software version
The Tesla app can be paired with Powerwall, which is a home battery developed by Tesla that stores energy generated by solar or from the grid. User can track how much energy is stored from solar, used by their home, or exported back to the grid. For Tesla vehicles with the Autopilot feature, the app can summon the vehicle out of a garage or tight parking space. Drivers with more than one Tesla vehicle can switch between them via the Profile tab.
Many Tesla drivers have said that the Tesla app is convenient and useful. The cabin climate feature was particularly popular with drivers. For example, the feature enabled them to warm up the interior and defrost the windows during the winter. Other drivers appreciated the insights provided by the app, such as the battery level and charging times. Some users have experienced technical issues with the app including disconnection between the app and the car.
BlossomEV
Free to use, currently a web application only. A mobile app for Android and iOS devices is scheduled for release by the end of 2024.
BlossomEV is a platform that lets users share their charging infrastructure with others in the community. EV drivers can sign up as hosts, guests, or both. Hosts share their charging station with the BlossomEV community, while Guests can use BlossomEV to locate available chargers, schedule charging sessions, make secure payments, and provide feedback for the host. Hosts can list the available hours, charger types, payment methods, and location info of their charging station as well as review and accept incoming requests. Hosts can also receive bonus points by providing amenities like Wi-Fi or refreshments. BlossomEV processes all financial transactions for secure payments.
BlossomEV has sometimes been referred to as “the Airbnb” of EV charging. The platform gives drivers an easy way to share their charging stations and locate other units in their area. One downside of BlossomEV is it currently does not have a mobile version. Having a mobile would improve the user experience, particularly for drivers on the go. A BlossomEV mobile app is planned for release by the end of 2024, but until now, drivers are limited to the web version.
Electrify Canada
Free to use, available for Android and iOS devices. A premium subscription is also offered.
Electrify Canada is an emerging charging network with 142 DC fast chargers and 34 charging stations located across Québec, Ontario, Alberta, B.C. and Saskatchewan. The network has also expanded into Nova Scotia and plans to add stations in New Brunswick. Electrify Canada has developed its own app to help drivers locate nearby stations, charge their EVs, and manage their charging session. EV drivers who sign up for a free Electrify Canada Pass membership can use the app to:
- Check the availability of a charger in real-time, and get notified when the charger becomes available
- See station details and save their favourite charging stations
- Start and stop charging sessions from their phone
- Track charging status, and receive a notification when the EV reaches the desired state of charge
- Pay contact-free via the app
- View charge history and digital receipts.
The Pass+ plan includes all of the above benefits plus reduced costs for charging. The app also pairs with the Electrify Canada HomeStation which lets drivers:
- View details about their last charge
- Start and stop charging remotely
- Schedule charging, e.g., charge overnight or whenever electricity costs are lowest
- Adjust charger amperage output
- Manage up to 10 chargers
The Electrify Canada app is user-friendly and has helped numerous EV drivers find and use chargers connected to the Electrify Canada network. Several drivers also mentioned that the data insights provided by the app helped them optimize their charging sessions. Some drivers have experienced technical issues with the app including poor connections, system crashes and slow load times. However, these issues have not been common to the majority of EV drivers. Drivers have also suggested new features to be added to the app, such as a timer functionality that stops charging sessions based on a set time.
