The GreenCar Website reports on the launch of the Charge Your Car app, the first app that let's EV drivers in the UK use charge points. (Note: I disclose my interest as Business Development Director for Charge Your Car).
National charging network Charge Your Car (CYC) has launched a new app, that will make it easier for electric car owners to find charging stations and pay for charging opens up the network of charging stations across much of the country in a single pay-as-you-go solution.
Starting as a regional North East charging back in 2010, the Plugged-in Places scheme has been gradually expanding to include other networks in neighbouring regions, with a goal of achieving one large national network of pay-as-you-go stations, making it easier for EV drivers to travel around the country without the need for multiple charging membership cars.
On the go information
Now the new app builds on this goal, meaning electric car owners can see all available pay-as-you-go stations as part of the growing network in one place, while on the go too.
The key features of the app include search charge points by town, postcode or point code, filter charge points by connector type, live status of charge points, information on charge point tariffs, plan a route to a charge point, and latest news and information such as the availability of new stations.
The CYC network also works with the CYC ‘lifetime card’, a single RFID card that can be used across the UK with all charge points on the network. To pay for charging, users simply register their debit or credit card, which links to their CYC app and lifetime card. There is also an existing pay-by-phone system as well as a helpline for technical support and advice.
Instead of closed membership schemes, CYC has been bringing together charge point owners, public sector organisations such as local authorities , private sector companies like network operators, supermarkets and hotels - and charge point manufacturers-together in an open network accessible to all.
At present, the CYC network comprises 1,500 charge points, of which currently 20 per cent can be operated using the app. The aim is to ensure that electric car drivers are always in range of a charge station wherever they are in the country, within the next few years. CYC intends to licence the live status map to electric vehicle manufacturers and satellite navigation companies, to help it achieve this goal.
The launch of the app is set against a backdrop of gradual progress for electric vehicles in the UK, which has slipped from being the European leader to number 15 in the rankings according to the European Automotive Association (based on electric vehicles per head).
Alexandra Prescott, operations manager at CYC says: “The groundbreaking technology used in the CYC app brings benefits to drivers, charge point providers and electric vehicle manufacturers – it is a great boost to our industry and the UK’s charging infrastructure and is a big step forward in priming the market for electric vehicles.”
The app is available to download free from the Apple App Store or Google Play, visit www.chargeyourcar.org.uk for more information.
