Have you ever heard of the ‘Go Green’ slogan? It’s all about taking care of our planet because we’re causing a lot of damage with all the pollution we make. One way we can help is by using electric cars. That’s why on demand app development company focus to build an app like PlugShare.
Did you know that cars that run on electricity are becoming more and more popular? This is because people are starting to care more about the environment and want to reduce pollution.
They are super cool because they don’t cause any pollution and they save energy and money too. Additionally, they are becoming more and more popular every year.
Some countries such as the UK, USA, and Germany even encourage people to use electric cars. Top companies including BYD, Tesla, BMW, Volkswagen, and Nissan are leading the way in making these cars.
And there are even apps that help you find places to charge your electric car. It is cool to see how much things are changing in the car industry.
The Plugshare app has gained huge popularity in recent years. It is a mobile app that enables electric vehicle (EV) drivers to locate and access charging points easily.
If you are interested to build an app like PlugShare, you have come to the right place.
In this article, we will also guide you through the essential steps you need to take to build an app like PlugShare.
So, let’s get started!
Table of Contents
What is PlugShare?
PlugShare is an app that helps electric vehicle (EV) owners find charging stations near them. It is available for both iOS and Android devices and offers a user-friendly interface that displays charging stations on a map.
The app also shows the type of charging station, availability, and pricing information. PlugShare is a mobile app that connects electric vehicle (EV) drivers with charging stations across the world.
The app offers a comprehensive database of chargers, including the level of chargers, availability in real-time, and user ratings.
PlugShare’s community factor also allows users to leave and read comments about charging stations, giving valuable insights into the quality and functionality of every station.
Additionally, PlugShare provides route planning for road trips and a payment system for easy transactions. The app makes it easier for EV owners to travel confidently without fear of running out of charge or getting stranded without access to a charging station.
With over 440,000 charging locations worldwide, PlugShare continues to be an essential tool for any electric vehicle owner.
Why Should You Build an App Like PlugShare?
With the increasing demand for electric vehicles, there is a growing demand for apps like PlugShare that help EV owners find charging stations easily. Building an app like PlugShare can help you tap into this growing market and offer a service that is both useful and in demand.
So, you can imagine all the opportunities of creating a bank on this business idea!
In the next section, you will find different reasons to why build an app like PlugShare.
1. Addressing the Growing Electric Vehicle Market
As electric vehicles achieve popularity worldwide, there is an increasing requirement for reliable charging infrastructure. Building an app like PlugShare allows you to contribute to the growth of the electric vehicle market by offering a platform that helps EV owners easily plugshare map and access charging stations.
2. Supporting Electric Vehicle Adoption
PlugShare app development company moving to create an app that simplifies the charging process for electric vehicle owners, you can encourage more people to transition to electric vehicles. Easy access to charging stations and information builds confidence in EV ownership and helps overcome range anxiety, a common concern among potential buyers.
3. Enhancing User Experience
An app like PlugShare enhances the overall experience for electric vehicle owners. It delivers real-time updates, a user-friendly interface, and reviews, making it easier for users to see reliable and available charging stations. By offering additional features such as trip planning and charger compatibility information, you can improve the user experience.
4. Filling Information Gaps
The charging infrastructure for electric vehicles is constantly evolving, and there can be information gaps or inconsistencies regarding the availability and location of charging stations. Building an app like PlugShare allows you to contribute to filling these gaps by providing accurate and up-to-date information through user contributions and real-time updates.
5. Community Building
An app like PlugShare creates a sense of community among electric vehicle owners. Users can share their experiences, provide reviews and ratings, and contribute to the app’s database. This community aspect fosters collaboration, knowledge sharing, and support among EV enthusiasts.
Types of Electric Vehicles
There are several types of electric vehicles (EVs) available on the market, each with its own characteristics and purposes.
Here are four common types of electric vehicles, along with examples:
1. Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)
Battery Electric Vehicles, also known as all-electric vehicles, are powered exclusively by electricity and use a large battery pack to store energy. They do not have an internal explosion engine. BEVs offer zero tailpipe emissions and are designed for everyday commuting and city driving.
Examples: Nissan Leaf, Chevrolet Bolt EV, Tesla Model 3,
2. Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs)
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles combine an electric motor and a gasoline engine. They have a bigger battery pack than traditional hybrid vehicles and can be charged by plugging into an electrical outlet or charging station. PHEVs can run on electric power alone for a specific range before the gasoline engine kicks in, offering both electric and gasoline-powered driving capabilities.
Examples: Toyota Prius Prime, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, BMW i3 REx,
3. Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs)
Hybrid Electric Vehicles utilize both an internal explosion engine and an electric motor. The electric motor helps the engine in powering the vehicle, enhancing fuel efficiency and reducing emissions. Unlike HEVs, PHEVs cannot be plugged in and just rely on regenerative braking to charge the battery.
Examples: Toyota Camry Hybrid, Ford Fusion Hybrid, Honda Accord Hybrid,
4. Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs)
Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles use hydrogen fuel cells to generate electricity, which powers the electric motor. Hydrogen gas is combined with oxygen from the air in the fuel cell, producing electricity and emitting only water vapor as the byproduct. FCEVs have longer driving ranges and refuel similarly to traditional gasoline vehicles.
Examples: Hyundai Nexo, Toyota Mirai
These are just a few examples of the different types of electric vehicles available on the market. The market continues to evolve, with the latest models and advancements in electric vehicle technology being introduced regularly.
Why Invest in EV Charging Stations App Development is Good Choice?
Did you know that making an app for electric car charging can be helpful?
Not many people have made one yet, so there’s not a lot of competition. Here are some cool facts about electric cars and why they are becoming more popular:
- From 2021 to 2030, the number of electric cars in the world is going to grow a lot – from 4 million to almost 35 million.
- By 2027, the electric car market will be worth over 2 trillion dollars globally.
- There are already over 1 million charging stations around the world, and that number is going to keep growing as more people start driving electric cars.
- In India, the electric car market is growing fast – it’s going to be worth almost $50 billion by 2026.
So, why are electric cars becoming so popular? Well, they don’t pollute the air like regular cars do, which is important for the environment.
Additionally, governments are giving people incentives to buy electric cars, like tax breaks and subsidies.
It’s a win-win situation!
How Does an Electric Vehicle Station Plugshare App Work?
Mobile application development build app like PlugShare works by providing users with information about charging stations, helping them locate, navigate, and utilize the available charging infrastructure.
Here’s how an EV station app typically works:
- User Registration: Users need to create an account and register on the app. This allows them to access all the features and functionalities offered by the app.
- Charging Station Database: The app keeps a comprehensive database of charging stations, such as public, private, and residential locations. The database contains information about the station’s location, available charging speeds, connector types, and other relevant details.
- Charging Station Locator: The app utilizes GPS and mapping technology to help users find nearby charging stations. Users can either search for charging stations near their current location or specify an app for finding electric car charging stations.
- Station Details and Reviews: When users select a specific charging station, the app provides detailed information about the station such as its address, contact information, hours of operation, and any extras available.
- Real-Time Updates: EV station apps like PlugShare often include real-time updates on the availability of charging stations. This allows users to check if a station is currently in use or available for charging.
- Navigation and Routing: Once users have selected a charging station, the app can provide turn-by-turn navigation to guide them to the location. This ensures that users can easily reach their desired charging station without any hassle.
- User Contributions: EV station apps facilitate user contributions to enhance the accuracy and reliability of the charging station information. Users can add new charging stations to the app’s database, update station details, report issues or malfunctions, and provide feedback on their charging experiences.
- Additional Features: Some EV station apps can offer additional features like trip planning, allowing users to plan their routes and identify charging stations along the way. The app may also provide information on charger compatibility with specific electric vehicle models.
- Community and Social Features: Many EV station apps enable a community aspect by allowing users to connect with each other, share experiences, and participate in forums or discussions related to electric vehicles and charging infrastructure.
Overall, build an app like PlugShare acts as a comprehensive platform that helps EV owners find, access, and utilize charging stations effectively and efficiently.
It aims to simplify the charging process and enhance the overall user experience in the electric vehicle ecosystem.
The Business Model of a Plugshare App
The business model of a PlugShare-like app can encompass several revenue streams and strategies.
Let’s discuss this in detail!
1. Charging Station Partnerships
The app may form partnerships with charging station operators, both public and private, to offer visibility and promotion for their charging infrastructure. Charging station operators may pay a fee or join into a revenue-sharing agreement with the app to be listed and featured on the platform.
2. Advertising and Sponsorship
The app can make revenue through advertising and sponsorship opportunities. Charging station manufacturers, energy companies, electric vehicle manufacturers, and other relevant businesses may advertise their products and services on the app to target the EV user base.
3. Premium Features or Subscriptions
The app can also deliver premium features or a subscription model to improve the user experience. These premium features can include real-time charging station availability updates, advanced search filters, exclusive offers or fantastic discounts, and improved customer support.
4. Partnerships with Electric Vehicle Manufacturers
The app collaborates with electric vehicle manufacturers to offer incredible features and integrations. This could include displaying charging station compatibility information specific to individual electric vehicle models, offering in-app vehicle range estimation, or providing personalized charging recommendations.
5. In-App Purchases
The app can offer in-app purchases like charging station reservation services or access to premium charging networks. Users can book a charging station in advance, ensuring availability at their preferred time, for a fee.
Features to Integrate into PlugShare App
Here are some exciting features that can be integrated into a PlugShare-like app to improve its functionality and user experience:
- User Sign-Up: when you download and install this app, you have to sign up by giving your phone number, email, and password. But, if you want to make it quicker, you can also register with your Google or social media account.
- Profile Creation: Once you make successfully registration, you can edit your profile by adding your name, car model and number, and a display picture.
- Nearby Charging Stations: The app will then offer you the charging stations closest to you based on your location or the location you entered. This way, you can save time and energy by going to the closest station.
- Geolocation: To find plugshare charging stations near you, the app must know your location. You can also manually search for charging stations in a specific area by typing in the location.
- Slot Booking: Once you see the ideal charging station, you can book a time slot ahead of time so you don’t have to wait in a long line.
- Rating & Review: when you are done charging, you can rate your experience and write a review to help other people know what to expect.
- Multiple Payment Options: One really cool thing about the app is that you can pay for your charging with various methods such as a credit card, PayPal, or even an e-wallet app on your smartphone. So you can choose the way that works best for you. Happy charging!
- Billing History: If you own a car, it is important to know how much power you are using and how much money you are spending on it every day, week, and month. That’s why it’s great to have an app that can help you keep track of all that stuff!
- Notifications: The app can send you alerts about charging stations nearby, new deals you can use, and reminders to book your spot ahead of time.
- EV trip planner: If you are planning a long road trip, PlugShare trip planner can help you find all the charging stations you will need along the way.
Essential Tech Stack to Build an App Like PlugShare
Here’s an example of an essential tech stack for an electric vehicle charging point app presented in table form:
| Front-end | |
| Mobile Framework | React Native, Flutter, or Native iOS/Android |
| User Interface | HTML, CSS, JavaScript |
| Mapping | Google Maps API, Mapbox |
| Back-end | |
| Server Framework | Node.js, Ruby on Rails, Django, Laravel |
| Database | MongoDB, PostgreSQL, MySQL |
| API Development | Express.js, Ruby on Rails, Django REST Framework |
| Authentication | JWT (JSON Web Tokens), OAuth |
| Infrastructure | |
| Cloud Platform | AWS, Google Cloud Platform, Microsoft Azure |
| Hosting | Amazon S3, Heroku, DigitalOcean |
| Additional Tools | |
| Payment Gateway | Stripe, PayPal, Braintree |
| Analytics | Google Analytics, Firebase Analytics |
| Push Notifications | Firebase Cloud Messaging, OneSignal |
| Testing Framework | Jest, Mocha, Selenium, Cypress |
| Version Control | Git, GitHub, Bitbucket |
Cost to Build an App Like PlugShare
Providing an exact cost estimate to build an app like PlugShare is challenging without detailed project requirements.
The cost can vary based on factors such as the app’s features, platform, complexity, development approach, and the rates of the mobile app developers.
| Cost Component | Description |
| Project Planning | Cost associated with project needs, planning, and analysis. |
| UI/UX Design | Dedicated developers design the UI/UX of the app. |
| Development | Developing server-side logic, API integrations, and database management. |
| Mapping and Geolocation | Implementing mapping functionality, integrating with mapping APIs (e.g., Google Maps, Mapbox), and geolocation services. |
| Charging Station Data Integration | Integrating with charging station databases, and APIs, and ensuring data accuracy and real-time updates. |
| User Authentication and Security | Executing user authentication and data security measures. |
| Features and Functionality | Developing specific features like user reviews, reservation systems, station search, and real-time station availability updates. |
| Testing and Quality Assurance | Conducting testing and quality assurance activities to ensure the functionality, app’s performance, and user experience satisfy the needs. |
| Deployment and Launch | Preparing the app for deployment to app stores and managing the launch process. |
| Maintenance and Support | bug fixes, updates, ongoing support, and server costs post-launch. |
Final Words
Building an app like PlugShare can be a rewarding and challenging experience. It needs a comprehensive understanding of the market, users’ needs, and the development process.
You can create a successful app that helps EV drivers find charging points quickly and easily.
Remember to keep your users’ requirements at the forefront of your mind throughout the process and continuously update and enhance your app to stay ahead of the competition. With dedication and hard work, you can make an app that makes a positive impact on people’s lives while growing your business.
FAQ
1. How much does the PlugShare app cost?
The cost to build an app like PlugShare depends on various aspects like the complexity of features, the technology stack used, and the development team’s location. A basic app with essential features might cost around $50,000, while a more complex app with advanced features could cost up to $150,000 or more.
2. How long does it take to build an app like PlugShare?
The duration of building an app like PlugShare depends on different aspects like the app’s complexity, the number of features, and the development team’s size. A basic app with essential features could take around three to four months, while a more complex app with advanced features could take 6-12 months or more.
3. Who are PlugShare competitors?
Some competitors of PlugShare in the electric vehicle charging station locator app market include Electrify America, Greenlots, ChargePoint, EVgo, and Blink Charging. These companies deliver similar services and features, helping users find and navigate to charging stations for electric vehicles.