What are the best apps for EV drivers?

The latest generation of EVs are greener, smarter, and (dare we say it?) better looking than their petrol and diesel cousins.

And with a whole host of EV apps now at your fingertips, owning an electric car has never been easier. From planning charging stops on a road trip, to scheduling cheaper home charging, or even earning a little extra by renting out your charger – there’s an app for that.

Here’s our pick of the best EV apps for navigation, charging, and more.

Heading out on a longer drive? The Octopus Electroverse app makes route planning and charging a total breeze.

Just enter your car, your current charge, where you’re heading, and how full you want your battery when you get there – and Electroverse will do the rest. It maps out your route, complete with optimised charging stops to get you there smoothly.

You can view chargers both in and outside of the Electroverse network, filter by speed, plug type, or payment method – and even check live pricing and availability, so you know exactly what to expect when you pull in.

Google Maps is the go-to everyday navigation app for most people – and it’s got plenty to offer EV drivers too.

Live traffic updates and eco-routing (which finds the most energy-efficient route based on terrain and traffic) are handy tools to have on any journey. You can search along your route for EV charging points using Google Assistant (it’s often voice-activated, so you can keep your attention firmly on the road).

Google Maps is also pretty easy to use with your EV’s infotainment system, as most are Apple CarPlay-enabled or have Android Auto for smartphone mirroring. And, some EVs even have a built-in Google Maps feature - no smartphone required.

EV Navigation does exactly what it says on the tin – but with a few smart extras that really make it shine.

Its standout feature? A seriously clever range prediction tool. Pop in your car model, current battery level, and even the number of passengers, and the app will estimate how far you’ll get.

It goes the extra mile by factoring in things like tyre pressure, your driving style, outside temperature, wind, and even road gradients – giving you one of the most accurate range estimates out there.

Need a smarter way to charge on the go? Electroverse is your one-stop app for public EV charging across the UK and Europe.

As well as planning your route around charging stops (yep, we mentioned this in the navigation apps too), Electroverse lets you filter by socket type, speed, network and more – with live info on price, availability, and facilities.

Tap to charge with the app or your Electroverse card, and if you’re with Octopus Energy, you can even link your account to roll EV charging costs into your energy bill. One app. One tap. One less thing to think about.

(part of the Octopus Energy app)

The cheapest way to charge your EV is at home. Intelligent Octopus Go, on the Octopus Energy app, allows you to schedule your charges and save a few more pennies as a result.

Pair Intelligent Octopus Go with your home EV charger to schedule your charging at off-peak times, when energy is cheapest and greenest. All you need to do is set how much you want to charge the battery up and what time you need it ready for, and Intelligent Octopus Go takes care of the rest.

Good news for Octopus EV customers: you’ll save an extra 1p on off-peak rates thanks to EV Saver. Charging your EV at home is often the most affordable option – especially if you can tap into off-peak rates.

That’s where Intelligent Octopus Go (in the Octopus Energy App) comes in. Just set how much charge you need and when you need it by, and the app schedules your charging for the greenest, cheapest hours overnight – no guesswork needed.

Bonus for Octopus EV drivers: you can save an extra 1p per kWh with EV Saver.

If you can’t install a charger at home – or if you do have a charger at home and want to help make EV ownership more accessible – Co Charger is the community charging app for you.

The app makes it easier for people to share their home EV chargers with neighbours and the wider community. So, if you live in a flat or don’t have your own driveway, for example, you can still benefit from cheaper home charging

Co Charger is the UK’s number one community charging app for EVs. They’re making EV charging accessible by encouraging people to share EV chargers with neighbours and the wider community to help more drivers switch to electric cars.

You’ve probably already got RingGo installed to find spaces, pay for parking, and extend your stay from your phone – no more dashing back to the meter when time’s running out.

But did you know RingGo can also help you find parking spots with EV charge points? Just search, park up, and give your EV a little extra juice while you’re out running errands, grabbing a bite, or watching the kids tear up the pitch.

JustPark takes the faff out of parking. Search and book a space in advance - whether you need it for an hour or a month - and skip the battery-draining loop around town hoping for a spot to free up.

And if you’ve got a home charger sitting idle? You can rent it out to other EV drivers through the app. Set your price, share your charger, and earn a little extra while you're out and about.

Planning a road trip? Find hotels that will allow you to charge your EV overnight with the EV Hotels app.

The app has over 45,000 EV hotels registered – and you can even earn hotel chain loyalty points when you stay and charge. And, if your chosen hotel doesn’t have overnight charging, you can use the app to find charging points within walking distance.

Our personal leasing and salary sacrifice schemes bundle together EVs with tech, tariffs, and perks that make going electric ridiculously easy.

With Octopus EV, you’ll get:

• A choice of the latest, smartest EVs
• Home charging discount with EV Saver
• Public charging discounts via the Electroverse app
• Loads of other extras – like £500 off green home tech with Octopus Energy