Latest news & insights

Whether you’re just out and about running errands or embarking on a long road trip, knowing where your nearest EV charging stations are can make all the difference to your journey. 

We’ve put together this round-up of the best EV roaming and routing apps to help you find nearby charging stations and get back on the road in no time.

Things to look for when choosing an EV charging station

Before pulling up at a random EV charging station, it’s a good idea to remember not all EV charging stations are created equal. Before choosing a station, do some quick research to see if it's the right station for your needs.

Here are a few factors to consider when choosing an EV charging station:

• Charger compatibility – Check it has the right connector for your EV model. Most modern EVs supporting Rapid DC charging will come with a CCS connector whilst some older models will support CHAdeMO. Type 2 charging will accommodate AC charging. 

• Availability – Most EV charging station maps including our evyve charging station map will tell you the current availability status. Check if there are any charging points currently available at your chosen station to avoid unnecessary detours.

• Rural areas – If you’re heading somewhere more remote, check the network coverage in advance so you can prepare for any gaps where charging options may be patchy.

• Journey planning – Where possible, we advise using your vehicle’s Sat Nav to journey plan as most EVs will read the State of Charge of your vehicle (i.e. how much battery is in the vehicle) and help plan where to charge. Alternatively, there are some great roaming and routing apps available.

7 roaming and routing apps to find local EV charging stations

1. Google Maps

Google Maps is a great way to find EV charging stations near you. Type “EV charging station” into the search bar and it’ll automatically populate with nearby charge points. Each listed station will tell you:

• The location

• Charging speed

• Connector type

• Number of charging points

• Charging point availability

If your car is fitted with CarPlay, you can use Google Maps as your navigation system.

Find EV charging stations on Google Maps here.

2. evyve EV charging station map

Our EV charging station map makes it easy to find evyve charging points across the UK.

On the evyve EV charging station map, you’ll find useful information like the number of chargers available, the available charging speed, and nearby amenities. You can even click “More information” for your chosen station to get more in-depth details including price, convenience, and safety.

Browse the evyve EV charging station map now.

3. Apple Maps

Apple Maps is another great option for finding local EV charging stations, especially if you’re an iPhone user. Similar to Google Maps, type “EV charging stations” in the search bar to find nearby charge points.

Apple Maps offers an easy-to-use interface which tells you:

• The number of available stations

• Whether it’s open

• Accepted payment methods

• The charger types and charging speeds

• Nearby places

Plus, you can easily choose the “Create Route” option to build a stop-off at the charging station into your route.

If your car is fitted with CarPlay, Apple Maps will be your default navigation app meaning you can search for stations using your car’s in-built navigation system. Of course, make sure you pull over and park somewhere safe before doing this.

You’ll need to download the Apple Maps app if you want to use it.

4. ZapMap

ZapMap is one of the most popular apps among EV drivers and with good reason!

ZapMap offers robust features such as:

• A comprehensive map of the UK charging networks

• Real-time updates on charging status and availability

• Tools to plan routes with charging stops, factoring in your car’s range

You can find nearby charge points using ZapMap’s web app or mobile app.

5. Octopus Electroverse

Octopus Electroverse is another EV routing app that makes light work of finding EV charging stations. 

With this app, you can filter your search for EV charging stations by:

• Operator

• Connector type

• Charge point speed

• Minimum number of charge points

• Payment options

Then, for each station, it will also give you useful information including a number of charge points, price, connector types, availability, payment access, and location information.

Browse the Octopus Electoverse now.

6. Hubject

Hubject is one of the largest international eRoaming platforms, making it a great app for planning long, cross-border journeys.

Like other EV charging station apps and maps, Hubject features:

• Number of stations

• Connector type

• Availability status

• Payment options

• Authentication options

• Access options

It’s not the most user-friendly interface but it is great for planning your EV charging stops on international journeys.

Browse the Hubject map here.

7. Plugsurfing

The Plugsurfing eMobility app helps you find nearby EV charging networks across Europe.

Plugsurfing offers:

• Pricing transparency

• Easy payment via the app

• Route planning

• Up-to-date charging station information

For each charging station, you’ll be told:

• Charge point availability

• Connector type

• Price

• Popular times

Find out more about Plugsurfing’s EV charging app.

Plan your EV journey with confidence

Using an EV route planner or charging station map is a surefire way to make your journey stress-free. From everyday apps like Google Maps to evyve’s own charging station map, these tools make it easy to charge on the go.

Planning a trip? Use our charging station map to find nearby evyve charging points and keep your EV ready for the road ahead.