The terms of technology have successfully taken the world on a different level. Whether you are looking forward to the terms of IT or the new innovation of the world – Electric Vehicles. The invention of electric vehicles is a great step taken by the Electrical Vehicle Department towards a more efficient and friendly environment to be in. There are different types of electric vehicles that are developed using different models of batteries and electric motors in place of combustible engines and fuel tanks. As we all know the harm vehicles cause to the environment, this initiative by the EVD is also taken seriously ensuring more and more people use electric vehicles for their day to day errands. The continuous upgrades by the EVD in electric vehicles is making people buy them at a large scale. 

As we know, the structure of these electric vehicles is simple and easy to understand but finding Electric charging stations at the time of need still remains a difficult task. But with the help of an EV Charging Station Finder App, you can always get to know the nearest charging stations. We all are aware that the leading players in the market such as Tesla, Tata Power, etc. are working hard to build electric stations accessible to everyone with ease. Alongside this, they come up with an idea of Charging Station Finder App Development, hiring a company who have competent developers doing so. These applications are helpful to the person looking  for a charging station nearby. 

However, develop EV Finder App in Malaysia or any other country is not an easy journey. There are a lot of factors that should be taken into consideration whether you are developing an application or looking for a company who does that. This blog focuses on the features of an EV finder app and the development process along with the cost for the same. 

What is an EV Charging Station Finding App?

Finding an EV charging station is not as easy as finding a petrol station or CNG stop, it might be tiring for a person to find a charging station because these are not easily accessible. But with the EV Charging Station Finder App Development from a reputed company, one can make the process of finding charging stations easier and efficient through the help of your mobile devices. An EV finder application asks for your location, allowing you to check the availability of electric stations near you, giving directions to the station, booking and payment processes, etc. An application that effortlessly makes things easier for you. 

Why build an EV Charging Station Locator App?

The redesigned and advanced features of the EV have made them high in terms of popularity and demand. The use of Electric Vehicles will only grow in the coming years. The global electric vehicle market is projected to grow to $1,318.22 billion in 2028 at a CAGR of 24.3%. As we are aware of the increase in fuel prices and the impact on the environment they have has increased the demand for electric vehicles, seen as an alternative globally. 

With advancement in technology, the batteries are also getting better, another reason for the rise in demands of electric vehicles. Now to keep up with the demand of electric vehicles, development of an EV finder app becomes important. One should be able to find an EV station with ease allowing more and more people to invest in electric vehicles. Go through the checklist of benefits for EV charging stations – 

– Locate and easily find nearby charging station for your electric vehicles without any hassles 

– If EV stations are easily accessible to the owner, this will directly increase the sales and revenue of the EV charging stations. 

– The advantage with EV Charging Station Finder App Development is getting a place in the market with the competition we are in.  

– Enabling virtual connection with EV charging stations helps in the improvement of access to a wide range of audiences. 

– Analyse the EV battery consumption on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis through the application. 

– The owner of an electric vehicle gets access to centrally manage and control the transactions of the charging. 

Which are the Best EV Charging Station-Finding Apps?

Have you ever been in a situation where you had no idea of the nearest electric station? Stuck in the middle of the journey with no idea of the nearest electric station might not only be frustrating but something that gets you into trouble like nothing else. As an app development company in Malaysia, we realised the need for having an application that allows owners to find an electric station with ease nearby making things easier and accessible to everyone. To do the Development of Charging Station Finder App , there are certain factors that should be taken into consideration if you are planning to do so. We help entrepreneurs get access to the features of an application along with the cost to develop a mobile application gaining an edge in the market against the competition which makes a huge impact and money as well. Here is the list of the best electric charging stations find and locate apps globally. 

– ChargePoint

– PlugShare

– NextCharge

– EVgo

– ChargeMap

– ChargeHub

– Waze

What are the Best Features to have while Developing an EV Charging Station-Finding App?

The EV Charging Station Finder App Development provides a convenient way for the users to get their electric vehicles charged at an EV charging station which is located by the owner through their mobile phones. This requirement of the application is to have the basic features which makes the EV charging station finder app work with ease and complete efficiency making it convenient for the owner. Below listed are the important features than an application should have for it to work seamlessly. 

Search Filters

The EV  charging station has the ability to provide outstanding services with unique options to choose from. One can apply filters in the application helping users to meet their requirements such as the location, category of the station i.e., high power, low power public or others). These have specific type of charging plus along with their availability, booking, ratings and reviews, charging network of a particular company or station amenities.

Charging Slot Bookings and Reservations at the Station

Once you apply the search filters and select the EV charging station from the application, an user can book the slot or reserve their space at the charging point at their chosen time and location so that they don’t have to wait in long queues during their turn to charge an electric vehicle like their car or scooter. 

In-App Navigation

The GPS and Google Map API integration in the mobile application allows uses to easily navigate to the booked EV charging station finding directions in the real time following through the necessary instructions. 

A multitude of Payment Methods 

One can easily choose the integrated payment method to pay for the EV charging stations. Any user can make the payment at the station after charging their divide or they can make an advanced payment through the mobile application. One can choose the type of payment method such as e-wallets, UPI, credit card, debit cards, online payment, or  any other option they may have. Additionally, a mobile application also helps the user to analyse their charging expense at any time. Also, provides easy access to payment which attracts more users. 

Chatbot Integration 

Chatbots are getting common and hold a lot of importance in the advancement of technology. Adding a chatbot to your EV charging application facilitates the user with instant answers to their questions or any other difficulty they might be facing while using the application or making a booking. These instant replies and resolution to their queries allows the user to be more in sync with the application. 

Loyalty Program

The users should stay with the application and to ensure this, the application manager provides loyalty programs and rewards to keep them interested with the application. Launching different types of loyalty programs helps the business gain an edge over the competitive market and get high returns in the years to come. 

CRM Integration

CRM integration has an important role with the nurturing of relationships with their customers and helping Electric Vehicle charging stations to meet their strategic and operational needs with efficiency. 

Trip Planner Panel

When you are going on a long trip, the application will help you by sending notifications to the user about the nearest charging stations according to the current EV battery level and route.

Reviews and Rating

The reviews and rating feature after the Development of Charging Station Finder App allows the user to assess the service quality of the EV charging stations along with many other aspects helping them build a brand name and enhance the experience of the user. 

GPS Tracking

The GPS tracker of the application will allow you to get access to the nearest electric station. 

Add a New EV Charging Station

This option allows you to add the new charging station to the list that is not available on the application giving access to the user who has trouble finding the electric station. 

How Does the EV Charging Station Finder App Work?

 

The application has a certain way to function and this is how it works – 

Registration

Once you have downloaded and installed the EV charging station finder application, the user will register on the application and login by providing the credentials. The user can use their social media accounts or Gmail for login if  these are the options available in the application while registering.  

Grant Permission

Once you have logged in to the application, the application will ask for permission to access the location of the user. This will allow the application to automatically recommend the nearest EV charging stations. 

Identify Nearby Stations

The user can find the closest charging stations for their electric vehicles by using the GPS location feature which is enabled by the user. The location will be detected through Google Maps or the applications built-in feature. The application provides images, descriptions, customer ratings, reviews, charging points and fees for each station.  

Booking of Charging Point

After viewing waiting times, distance from their current location, and other details, users can book an available slot or charging point at their chosen EV charging station.

Payment

Users can pay for charging their electric vehicles through the mobile app or directly at the EV charging station, using their preferred payment method.

What Technology Stack is Used to Develop an EV Charging Station Finding App?

 

As we are aware that Development of Charging Station Finder App requires high performing technologies for your application to be the best performing in the market. The EV charging station also has an amazing User Interface. Making use of the right technologies and tools ensures the app to remain competitive and memorable for the user.

Native App Development

Native app development is ideal for high-performance, secure, and stable apps. It uses OS-specific technologies, tools, and programming languages. For Android, Kotlin or Java are used, while Swift or Objective-C are preferred for iOS development.

Cross-Platform App Development

Cross-platform development reduces costs and time-to-market. Frameworks like React, Flutter, and Xamarin enable the creation of apps for both Android and iOS with a single investment in time and money.

UI Design

CSS, HTML5, and JavaScript are primarily used for creating a brilliant interface design.

Third-Party Integrations

Enhancing the app with additional functionalities can be achieved through third-party integrations, eliminating the need for building from scratch.

Database: PostgreSQL, Cassandra, HBase, MongoDB
Navigation: Google Maps, Waze, Core Location Framework, Google Places API
Payments: Stripe, Braintree, PayPal, EWallets
Cloud Environment: Google, Azure, AWS, VULTR
Push Notifications: Twilio, Push.io
Analytics: Hadoop, Spark, Apache Flink, Cisco, IBM
Server: Apache, Tomcat, NGINX
Messaging, Voice, Phone Verification: Nexmo, Twilio
Framework: Flutter, Laravel, jQuery

How to Build an EV Charging Station Finding App?

To Develop an EV Charging Station Finder App has more on the table than just writing code for the development of the application. The development of the application has a systematic approach ensuring successful development and launch. The development process involves seven key steps –  

Market Research

One can get in touch with a top mobile app development company for the Development of Charging Station Finder App for the owner of electric vehicles. One should conduct research on the market, user, and competition in the market to be able to create an application meeting the needs of  the users and fulfilling the gap of finding charging stations for electric cars.  

Business Plan Creation 

Create a strategic plan based on research findings to achieve sales and ROI goals. The team working on the development of the application should study competitors’ business models for revenue generation insights and summarise the app’s specifications.

Development Partner Selection 

Choosing the right development service provider to develop EV Finder App is important for the app’s success. One should go through portfolios, reviews, and ratings, screen candidates, and communicate with existing clients to select the best mobile app development company for a full-fledged solution.

Identify the List of Features 

After selecting the development company, prepare a list of features for the initial and future releases of the app. Plan for advanced features to keep users engaged with the EV charging station app.

UI/UX Design 

Design the app to make searching and booking charging stations easy and efficient. Start with wireframing, navigation structure, and app flow to ensure an intuitive user experience.

Functionality Development 

Develop the app’s functionalities in stages. Start with basic features and gradually enhance them, testing the application idea without reinventing the wheel. Use the MVP approach and incrementally build the app.

Test and Iterate  

Once the app is developed, test it from a user perspective to ensure it is bug-free and performs as expected. Make the changes based on feedback until it meets client expectations.

Support and Maintenance 

Maintain the app to keep it updated with technological progress and market trends. Provide ongoing support to ensure the app continues to offer EV charging services effectively.

How Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Make Money with Their Location-Finding App?

EV charging stations are investing heavily in app development to be easily located, enhancing convenience for electric vehicle users. By understanding the app development cost and exploring various strategies, stations aim to earn revenue through the Development of Charging Station Finder App.

In-App Advertisement

EV charging station finder apps allow third-party businesses to advertise within the app. Popular ad types include notification ads, capture forms, full-screen ads, advanced overlays, and banner ads.

Sponsorship

These apps are typically free to download. Allowing affiliates, brands, and companies to run promotional content provides a significant revenue stream for EV charging station owners.

Paid Membership

Once the app gains popularity, it can introduce paid membership plans. Users can opt for monthly, quarterly, or annual memberships to access premium services, increasing the return on investment (ROI).

Product Merchandising and eCommerce Integration

EV charging stations can sell electric vehicle accessories or products that help users extend the life of their EVs and batteries. Selling related products directly through the app boosts business ROI.

How Much Does it Cost to Develop an EV Charging Station Locator App?

The reasons behind to Build an App and investing in EV charging station locator apps are clear. Despite the numerous benefits and many opportunities these apps provide, businesses are keen to know the cost of building an EV charging solution.

The initial cost of developing an EV charging station finder app typically ranges from $20,000 to $60,000. This depends on the features included, UI/UX design, developers’ location, technology stack, and more. Developing a locator app for EV charging stations requires approximately 180-250 hours, and the hourly rate for mobile app developers varies from $20 to $150, depending on the location of the development company.

Post-development, app maintenance should also be considered, costing about 10-15% of the development cost. Depending on your budget for EV charging station finder app development, choose a company that can deliver on time and within your budget, providing all the necessary features decided beforehand. 

Make Your EV Charging Station Stand Out with an App 

The Go Green initiative and the increasing acceptance of electric vehicles are set to make EVs the future of the automotive industry. Consequently, the need to search for EV charging stations is bound to rise. This makes building a dedicated EV charging station finder app a smart choice for station owners.

However, developing an EV charging station finder app involves considering various aspects, from the development process and technology stack to features, development cost, and to Build an App model. These factors are crucial to ensure the app performs flawlessly and provides an exceptional user experience.

Interested in creating the best app for finding EV charging stations? Connect with a reliable mobile app development company that can assist you in developing an EV charging station finder app without scope creep, timeline extensions, or budget overruns.

FAQs 

What are the key features of an EV charging station finder app?

  • An EV charging station finder app typically includes features such as real-time GPS location tracking, a built-in map, images and descriptions of charging stations, customer ratings and reviews, booking options for charging points, and various payment methods.

How much does it cost to develop an EV finder app in Malaysia?

  • The cost of developing an EV finder app in Malaysia varies depending on factors like app complexity, features, technology stack, and development time. On average, it can range from $20,000 to $100,000.

What technologies are used in building an EV charging station finder app?

  • Common technologies include GPS and mapping services (like Google Maps API), backend server infrastructure, mobile app development frameworks (such as React Native or Flutter), and secure payment gateways.

How long does it take to develop an EV charging station finder app?

  • The development timeline for an EV charging station finder app can range from 4 to 8 months, depending on the app’s complexity, feature set, and the development team’s expertise.

Why should I choose a Malaysian mobile app development company for building my EV finder app?

  • Malaysian mobile app development companies offer a balance of cost-effectiveness and high-quality services. They have expertise in the latest technologies, a track record of successful projects, and an understanding of the local market, ensuring a smooth development process.