El Mobile has become the key piece Enjoy an electric car without the hassle. Just as you use it for shopping, paying in stores, or banking, it's now also your best ally for finding nearby chargers, planning routes, and monitoring your spending on each charge.
If you're considering making the switch to electric mobility or already drive one, you'll be interested in learning about the best apps for locating charging pointsLet's see if they're available, how much they cost, and how to get them without wasting time. We'll review, in detail, the most powerful apps and some tricks so you're never left stranded due to a lack of battery.
Why is it so important to locate chargers using your mobile phone?
The presence of electric cars in our cities Its popularity continues to grow, both for getting around town and for longer journeys. The quiet ride, zero emissions, and fuel savings are encouraging many drivers to switch models, but some still hesitate for fear of not finding charging stations.
The reality is that most electric or plug-in hybrid owners took the plunge when they were clear on their decision. where they could charge near home or workOr they installed a private charging point. Although the public network is still expanding, today we have a good number of apps that make it very easy locate chargers in real time and plan any route.
With these tools you can see the exact location, connector type, charging power, price per kWh, and even whether the station is free or occupied. In this way, Anxiety about autonomy disappears and it's easier to organize long routes with planned stops.
Furthermore, knowing these applications well helps you to make the most of every recharge: choose more powerful points, avoid incompatible plugs, reserve a spot in some cases and even pay directly from your mobile without physical cards.
Electromaps: the reference app for electric drivers
Electromaps is probably the most well-known app among electric vehicle drivers in Spain and much of Europe. It began as a project by electric mobility enthusiasts and has become a huge community where users themselves keep the charging point information up to date.
To use it, simply create an account in a few minutes and access the interactive map, where you will see More than 160.000 charging points spread across EuropeYou can filter by connector type, power, charging network, or whether it's a public or shared private point, making it much easier to find the right plug for your car.
One of its strengths is the review system: other drivers share comments, photos and ratings about each station. This way you can find out if the charger works well, if it's usually busy, if access is difficult, or if parking is paid, saving you from unpleasant surprises.
Electromaps also allows you to create a route from your location to your chosen charger, and at many compatible stations you can Activate and pay for the top-up with the Electropass RFID key fob. or directly from the app. It also tells you if the location is free or paid, which is very useful for optimizing your journeys.
Their community already exceeds 120.000 registered usersWith thousands of daily contributions, this massive participation is what makes the information especially reliable and allows the application to improve with real-world use.
Google Maps: the ubiquitous tool that also finds chargers
If you're someone who prefers not to fill your phone with apps, Google Maps can become a your “Swiss Army knife” for electric mobilityIt not only guides you by car, on foot or by public transport, but also integrates the search for charging points quite easily.
From your mobile phone or computer, simply type terms like into the search engine “electric car charging”, “electric vehicle charging point” or “EV charging”The map will show the stations closest to your position with a list and their location on the map, ready to start navigation.
One of the advantages of Google Maps is that It does not discriminate based on brands or networks.It shows you chargers from different operators, from large electric companies to small points installed in hotels, shopping centers or public parking lots.
Additionally, you can configure the system to only display connectors compatible with your vehicleThis prevents you from parking at a spot where the plug doesn't fit your car. You'll also see opening hours, whether the location is open, when the charger was last used, and reviews from other users.
As if that weren't enough, Google Maps lets you Save your usual recharge points as favoritesThis way, you'll always have them located on the map and accessible with just a couple of taps. For those who already use it as their primary GPS, using it for charging is almost automatic.
Chargemap: reliability and long-distance trip planning
Chargemap has earned a great reputation among drivers who make Long road trips in an electric carIts map covers almost all of Europe and stands out for the quality of the data, carefully verified to minimize errors.
This app combines information from recharge operators with user contributions, but it all goes through a very rigorous validation processThis means that the position of the chargers, the type of connector, or the indicated power ratings are usually particularly reliable.
With Chargemap you can design complete routes taking into account strategic stops for rechargingFiltering by your car's connector, your charging speed, or charging point availability is ideal for stress-free travel planning across different countries.
The app includes a very active comment and photo system, which helps you know what the charging point's surroundings are like, whether the area is safe, and if there are any [unclear/unclear - possibly "unclear/unclear"]. Nearby amenities such as restrooms, restaurants, or shops and any usual incidents.
Although the app itself is free, it has the Chargemap PassThis card allows you to pay for top-ups at a large number of compatible stations. The app itself indicates which stations accept this method, the rates, and whether there are any additional charges—key information for avoiding surprises on your bill.
Place to Plug: Shared public and private points
Place to Plug stands out for offering a extensive database that is not limited to public pointsIt also allows individual users to share their private chargers with other drivers, always with prior approval and managed from the app itself.
This application is especially interesting for community garages, private parking lots and small communities who want to manage the use of the charger in an organized way. Through the reservation system, users can reserve a time slot, charge their car, and pay directly from their mobile phone.
The function of customizable autocharge It allows you to automate part of the process according to the driver's preferences. To start charging, you usually just need to scan the charger's QR code with your mobile phone; from then on, the station activates and you can stop it at any time from the app by pressing STOP.
Another useful detail is that the application clearly displays the rate for each charging point before starting the session. This way you avoid any surprises at the end, especially at stations with prices that vary depending on power or time of day.
Public Top-Up with Iberdrola and other operator apps
Large energy companies have also developed their own applications so that their customers can Locate and use the chargers on your networkA good example in Spain is Iberdrola Public Charging, which focuses on the infrastructure of this company both within the country and in other parts of Europe.
With this app you can search on the map for all Iberdrola points, see what types of connectors they offer, the available power, the rate per kWh and the charging speedIn addition, in many locations it is possible to start, stop and pay for the top-up from your mobile phone.
One interesting aspect is the function of report incidentsIf you notice a problem when you arrive at the charger, you can report it directly from the app: write a message, attach photos and, if necessary, contact the company by phone to speed up the resolution.
Along with Iberdrola, other players such as Endesa X Way, Repsol, and international operators also have their own apps that allow users to manage both public and domestic charging, something we will detail later with the specific case of On Your Way.
Other essential apps: Next Charge, Plugsurfing, PlugShare and more
Besides the big names, there's a good range of apps worth keeping an eye on because They expand coverage and offer complementary featuresCombining them can be the key to getting around almost anywhere without running out of charging options.
Next Charge is a collaborative app where The community of drivers constantly updates the dataIt displays distance to the station, connector type, available power and estimated availability, and is available on both Android and iOS.
Plugsurfing focuses particularly on Europe and Spain, bringing together Detailed information on a multitude of networksLocation, cost per kWh, charging speed, and usage conditions. This allows you to plan your trip with considerable accuracy, knowing which station is the most cost-effective for each leg of the journey.
PlugShare, for its part, boasts of being one of the world's largest communities of electric car driversIts map includes stations from North America, Europe and much of the rest of the world, with comments, photos and very advanced filters.
With PlugShare you can search for charging points compatible with virtually any electric car model, filtering by plug type (CHAdeMO, CCS, Tesla, etc.), charging speed (slow, semi-fast, fast and ultra-fast) and nearby services such as restaurants, restrooms or rest areas.
Another advantage of PlugShare is that it integrates with systems like Android Auto, allowing you to View nearby stations, favorites, and planned routes directly on the car's screenYou can also receive notifications when a new charger is installed near your usual location.
Local applications: Electro EMT, AMB Electric Parking Stations and urban solutions
In some large cities, the city councils or transport operators themselves offer specific apps to manage the municipal network of charging pointsThey are especially useful if you mainly move around in a specific area.
Electro EMT, for example, focuses on the Madrid City Council charging pointsFrom the app you can locate the nearest station, check if it is available and navigate to it without complications, which greatly reduces the time wasted looking for a plug.
Similarly, the AMB Electrolineres app collects all the information about the chargers in the Barcelona metropolitan areaIt shows location, availability, and, in some cases, usage restrictions or specific hours.
These local applications are usually very well integrated with the mobility system of each cityTherefore, they are ideal if you use your electric car for daily commutes, errands, or work in urban environments.
Charge and Parking, Open Charge Map and collaborative apps
Charge and Parking goes a step further by combining Parking and charging in one toolIt's perfect for those who take short breaks or trips where they want to leave the car charging for several hours while they take the opportunity to do some sightseeing or rest.
With this app it is possible reserve a place in advanceControl the start and end of charging from your mobile phone, and calculate routes that pass by parking lots with integrated charging points. Many users find it especially convenient for weekend trips.
Open Charge Map, on the other hand, is a completely open and non-profit project, maintained by a community of volunteersIts goal is to build the largest open and reusable database of charging stations globally.
The app allows any user Add new points, correct information, and contribute photos and comments.It is precisely because of this collaborative spirit that it has managed to bring together one of the most extensive registries, highly valued by young drivers and people very active on social networks.
Reve Map: Official information and real-time data in Spain
The Reve Map has become one of the More interesting tools for locating chargers in Spain When we talk about official data, this platform compiles information prepared in conjunction with the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge.
Its main advantage is that it offers Real-time information on all power points equal to or greater than 43 kWIn addition to integrating many lower-power systems, thanks to operators who send dynamic data from their stations.
The map is not limited to chargers already in operation: it also shows points that They are part of the official register even though they are not yet fully operationalThis allows for a clear understanding of how the network is growing across the country.
The points that appear on Reve are located at gas stations, shopping centers, public parking lots, and on public streets. For each one, it indicates location, connector type, availability, price, and charging speed, facilitating the planning of both urban routes and long-distance journeys.
Endesa On Your Way: an all-in-one app for public and home charging
On Your Way, the Endesa X Way app, is designed for those looking for an integrated charging experienceBoth on the street and at home. More than just a map of points, it functions as a control panel for your electric car.
From the application you can quickly locate Charging points available near youFilter by power, connector type or charger status and see in a few seconds which option best suits your situation at any given time.
On Your Way has a map with more than 70.000 points in Europe and almost 14.000 in Spainwith up-to-date information on fares, schedules, operational status, and associated services. It is especially useful if you travel regularly within the Endesa X Way network and its partners.
One of its differentiating points is the advanced route planningYou can enter your destination and the app calculates an optimized route, including suggested charging stops based on your car's range, your starting battery level and the availability of charging points.
In public charging mode, On Your Way allows you to reserve a connector for a few minutes, navigate to the chosen point, Start or stop the session from your mobile device (even without being registered, in certain cases), and monitor in real time the energy consumed, the cost and the time remaining.
The app also stands out for its section on consumption history and reportswhere you can check all the recharges you've made, see how much you've spent, what power levels you usually charge at, or how many kWh you consume per month, which helps you better plan your budget.
If you have a Waybox home charger, the app becomes a control center for home charging: you can Schedule charging during off-peak hours, adjust power, choose the unit of measurement (kWh, km or minutes), receive notifications when charging is complete and even share the charger with family or friends privately.
Regarding pricing, On Your Way allows you to choose between pay-per-use or subscription plans with discounts, manage different electric vehicles on the account and activate security measures such as biometric access to protect your profile and your payment methods.
Specific apps for quadricycles and light electric vehicles: the case of e-AIXAM
License-free cars and light quadricycles have also joined the electric mobility movement, as is the case with the e-AIXAM rangeThese vehicles usually have fast-charging lithium batteries, with charging times of around 3 hours and 40 minutes for a full charge and ranges of just over 100 km.
For these models, the mobile phone is key again: using the same charging point apps (Electromaps, Charge Map, Google Maps, Open Charge Map, etc.), young drivers can locate compatible plugs near home, school or workwithout always depending on domestic work.
Electromaps, for example, is one of the applications most used by light vehicle users Thanks to the ability to filter by power, see if the points are free or paid, and know if they need a card, app or an RFID key fob to activate the recharge.
By combining these apps with the autonomy of the e-AIXAM, it's easy to organize daily journeys with complete peace of mind, knowing that there will always be a recharging point “a stone’s throw away” if you need an extra battery boost.
Why it's worth mastering these apps if you own (or want) an electric car
With this entire ecosystem of applications, it's clear that today It is not essential to memorize where all the charging points are.The important thing is to know the tools you have on your mobile phone well and make the most of them.
Electromaps, Google Maps, Chargemap, PlugShare, Next Charge, Plugsurfing, official maps like Reve, and operator apps like On Your Way or Iberdrola Public Charging make up a brutal arsenal for getting around town and highway without fear of running out of battery.
Using them in combination allows you to Plan your trips better, cut waiting times, choose faster or cheaper stations and, in general, to make driving an electric car as comfortable as (or more comfortable than) driving a traditional combustion engine car.
In your daily life, you'll end up using two or three of these apps as your main ones, leaving the rest as backups for long trips or less frequented areas. Once you get used to checking your phone before heading out, charging your battery stops being a hassle and becomes... a gesture more integrated into your routinejust like checking traffic directions or the weather forecast.
