Essential EV Apps: What You Actually Need

One of the biggest surprises for new EV owners is the app overload. Unlike gas cars where you just pull up to any station, the EV charging ecosystem requires multiple apps for different networks, finding stations, and planning trips.

This guide cuts through the confusion and tells you exactly which apps to download, when you need them, and which ones you can skip.

The "Must Install Immediately" Tier

These three apps should be on your phone before you even leave the dealership:

1. PlugShare (Finding Charging Stations)

Platform: iOS, Android, Web Cost: Free (optional Premium for $2/month) Why you need it: Most comprehensive, community-driven charging station database

What it does:

Find ANY charging station (Tesla, Electrify America, EVgo, ChargePoint, random Level 2 chargers)
Real-time status updates from actual users
User reviews and photos (critical for knowing if chargers actually work)
Filter by connector type (NACS, CCS1, CHAdeMO)
Filter by charging speed (Level 2, DC Fast)
Trip planning with charging stops

How to use it:

Download the app and create an account
Set your vehicle type (this filters to compatible chargers)
Check the map before heading to any public charger
Read recent reviews (crucial—users report broken chargers within hours)
"Check in" when you arrive to help other drivers

Pro tips:

Before trusting a charger, check reviews from the last 7 days
Green pins = recently confirmed working
Gray pins = no recent activity (could be offline)
If a charger shows "2 of 4 stalls working," believe it
Use photos to locate chargers in complex parking lots

Premium features ($2/month):

Advanced trip planning
Offline maps
Additional filters
Worth it? Maybe. The free version is excellent; upgrade only if you road trip frequently.

Download:

iOS: Search "PlugShare" in App Store
Android: Search "PlugShare" in Google Play
Web: plugshare.com

2. Your Vehicle Manufacturer App

Every EV has an official app. Download it immediately.

Common Apps by Brand:

Tesla: Tesla app
Ford: FordPass
GM: myChevrolet, myCadillac, myGMC
Hyundai: Hyundai Bluelink
Kia: Kia Access
Nissan: MyNISSAN
Subaru: Subaru Connect (for Solterra), MySubaru (for other models)
Rivian: Rivian app
VW: myVW
BMW: My BMW
Mercedes: Mercedes me

What these apps do:

Remote climate control (preheat/precool before you get in)
Charge monitoring (see current battery level, charging speed)
Charge scheduling (set to charge during off-peak hours)
Charge limit control (set to 80% for daily use, 100% for trips)
Remote lock/unlock
Vehicle location (find your car in a parking lot)
Service reminders
Charge completion notifications

Why it matters: Setting your charge limit to 80% for daily use significantly extends battery life. This is done through your vehicle's app.

3. A Better Route Planner (ABRP) - For Road Trips

Platform: iOS, Android, Web Cost: Free (Premium $5/month adds live traffic and weather) Why you need it: Best tool for planning EV road trips

What it does:

Calculates optimal charging stops based on YOUR specific vehicle
Accounts for elevation, weather, temperature, driving style
Tells you exactly how long to charge at each stop
Suggests "charge to X%" at each location
Reroutes in real-time if you're using more/less energy than expected
Integrates with in-car navigation (Tesla, Polestar)

How to use it:

Before your first road trip:

Download app and select your exact vehicle model (e.g., "2026 Subaru Solterra Touring XT")
Enter starting point and destination
Set preferences:
- Charging networks (prefer Supercharger, avoid broken EVgo, etc.)
- Arrival battery % (arrive with 10-20% for safety)
- Speed (faster route vs. fewer stops)
ABRP suggests optimal stops

Example output:

Stop 1: Tesla Supercharger, Bakersfield
- Charge: 22 min (20% → 75%)
- Cost: ~$18

Stop 2: Electrify America, Barstow
- Charge: 18 min (32% → 80%)
- Cost: ~$15

Arrive with 15% battery

During your trip:

Follow the plan, but don't stress if you deviate
ABRP adjusts in real-time based on your actual energy use
If charging slower than expected, ABRP extends the stop time

Pro tips:

Add 5-10 minutes to recommended charge times (bathroom breaks, food)
Don't charge to 100% at DC fast chargers (slows dramatically after 80%)
Premium version ($5/month) adds live traffic/weather—worth it for frequent road trips

Download:

iOS: Search "A Better Route Planner"
Android: Search "ABRP"
Web: abetterrouteplanner.com

The "Install When Needed" Tier

These are network-specific apps. Only install them when you encounter those chargers:

Tesla App (For Non-Tesla Owners with NACS Adapter)

Who needs this: Anyone with a NACS adapter who wants to use Superchargers

What it does:

Locate Supercharger stations
See real-time stall availability
Initiate charging (required for non-Tesla vehicles)
Pay for charging
Monitor charge session remotely

How non-Tesla charging works:

Arrive at Supercharger with open stalls
Open Tesla app → "Charge Your Non-Tesla"
Select the stall number you're parked at
Plug in NACS adapter, then Supercharger cable
Charging starts automatically
Pay via app (credit card on file)

Cost:

Per kWh pricing: $0.25-$0.45 depending on location
No membership required

Download: Required if you have a NACS adapter

Electrify America

Who needs this: CCS1 vehicle owners, VW ID.4 owners (3 years free)

What it does:

Find EA stations
Start charging (can also use credit card at charger)
Monitor session
Pass+ membership ($4/month for lower rates)

When to download: When you plan to use EA frequently

Cost:

No membership: ~$0.43-$0.48/kWh
Pass+ ($4/month): ~$0.36/kWh (pays for itself after ~2 sessions)

Download: Optional (can use credit card at charger without app)

EVgo

Who needs this: CCS1/CHAdeMO vehicle owners

What it does:

Locate EVgo stations
Start charging via app
Membership plans for discounts

When to download: When you plan to use EVgo

Cost:

No membership: Variable pricing
Plus membership ($7/month): Discounted rates

Download: Optional (credit card works at most stations)

ChargePoint

Who needs this: Anyone who parks at ChargePoint-equipped locations

What it does:

Find ChargePoint chargers (huge network of Level 2 and some DC fast)
Start/stop charging
Join waitlist if chargers are full
Manage home charger (if you buy ChargePoint EVSE)

When to download: When you see ChargePoint stations at work, shopping centers

Cost: Free to use (pay per session, pricing varies by location)

Download: Useful to have, very common network

The "Optional/Specialized" Tier

Your Utility Company App

Who needs this: Homeowners with EV-specific electricity rates

What it does:

View time-of-use (TOU) rates
Track home charging costs
Enroll in smart charging programs (charge during off-peak for credits)
Access EV rebates for home chargers

Examples:

California: PG&E, SCE, SDGE
New York: ConEd
Texas: Various utilities
Others: Check your electric provider

When to download: After you install a home charger

Savings potential: $20-60/month by shifting charging to off-peak hours

Chargeway

What it does: Simplifies connector compatibility by color-coding stations

Who needs this: Beginners confused by connector types

Worth it? Nice idea, but PlugShare + knowing your connector type is sufficient

Your Home Charger App

If you install a smart home charger (ChargePoint, JuiceBox, Emporia, etc.), download the manufacturer's app to:

Schedule charging
Monitor energy usage
Set charging limits

App Management Strategy

Phase 1: Day One

Install immediately:

PlugShare
Your vehicle manufacturer app
A Better Route Planner

Total: 3 apps

Phase 2: First Road Trip (Weeks 2-4)

Add: 4. Tesla app (if you have NACS adapter) 5. One network app (EA or EVgo) as backup

Total: 5 apps

Phase 3: Long-Term (Months 3+)

Evaluate and add as needed: 6. ChargePoint (if common in your area) 7. Utility app (for home charging optimization) 8. Any other network apps for chargers you actually use

Total: 5-7 apps (max)

The Apps I Actually Use (Personal Experience)

As the owner of a 2026 Subaru Solterra, here's my honest assessment:

Daily:

Subaru Connect app (check charge level, set climate)

Weekly:

PlugShare (checking chargers before road trips or unfamiliar areas)

Monthly:

Tesla app (when using Superchargers with NACS adapter)
ABRP (planning road trips)

Rarely:

Electrify America (backup when Superchargers are full or inconvenient)
ChargePoint (occasionally at hotels/shopping centers)

Never Use:

EVgo (not common in my area)
Chargeway (redundant)

Deleted:

3 other network apps I downloaded but never needed

Common Questions

"Do I need an app to charge at public chargers?"

Level 2 (destination charging): Usually optional. Most accept credit cards or are free.

DC Fast Charging: App makes it easier, but most stations accept credit cards at the charger.

Tesla Supercharger (for non-Tesla): App is required.

"Can I delete network apps I'm not using?"

Yes! If you downloaded EVgo but never use it, delete it. You can always reinstall later.

"Which app for finding chargers: PlugShare or Google Maps?"

PlugShare, hands down. Google Maps shows charger locations but lacks:

Real-time status (working/broken)
User reviews
Recent check-ins
Detailed charger info

PlugShare has all of this and is updated by actual EV drivers in real-time.

"Is ABRP necessary for short trips?"

No. For trips within your vehicle's range, just use your car's built-in navigation. ABRP shines on multi-stop road trips requiring charging.

"Do Tesla owners need as many apps?"

No. Tesla owners have it easiest:

Tesla app (does everything—climate, charging, navigation, Supercharger access)
Maybe PlugShare (to find non-Tesla chargers as backup)
Optional: CCS adapter + network apps for non-Supercharger access

That's it. The Tesla ecosystem is the most integrated.

Quick Reference: App Checklist

Must Have (Install Now)

[ ] PlugShare
[ ] Your vehicle manufacturer app
[ ] A Better Route Planner

Probably Need (Install Soon)

[ ] Tesla app (if using Superchargers with adapter)
[ ] One backup network app (EA, EVgo, or ChargePoint)

Nice to Have (Install If Relevant)

[ ] ChargePoint (if common in your area)
[ ] Utility app (for home charging cost tracking)
[ ] Your home charger app (if applicable)

Can Skip

[ ] Chargeway (redundant)
[ ] Niche network apps you never encounter

The Bottom Line

You don't need 15 apps. Start with PlugShare, your vehicle app, and ABRP. Add network apps only when you actually encounter those chargers.

The app ecosystem feels overwhelming at first, but within a month you'll settle into using 3-5 apps regularly. Delete the rest.

Pro tip: Create a phone folder called "EV Charging" and keep all these apps together. Makes them easier to find when you need them.

📖 Next Steps:

Read NACS vs CCS1 to understand charging connectors
Learn about Home Charging Installation
Plan your first road trip with our trip planning guide

💡 Remember: The app overload is temporary. You'll quickly figure out which ones you actually need and which were "just in case" downloads. Start with the essentials, expand as needed, and don't stress about having every network app installed.