Duncan Graham-Rowe, contributor
(Image: Andy Lauwers/Rex Features)
Driving an electric vehicle (EV) can be an unnerving experience, especially when you suddenly realise that the range on the battery indicator is the maximum, not the minimum, and that you just might not make it to the next recharging point.
But now such "range anxiety" can be avoided, or at least alleviated, by a new iPhone app. By letting EV drivers share their recharging stations and displaying them on an onscreen map, PlugShare creates a community-driven network of charging points that are free to use.
According to Xatori in Palo Alto, California, which developed the app, most people will probably continue to charge their cars at home, and rarely exceed the range of their vehicle. But on occasion, such as when they veer off their usual routes, range anxiety can creep in.
One reason for this is that the range given by EVs usually represents ideal driving conditions. That means that it can fail to take into account additional battery drain caused by using the radio, headlights or air conditioning, or even just the electric windows. And sometimes, such as on a highway, it's not just inconvenient but downright dangerous to drive at an optimum speed of 55 kilometres per hour.
Given the relative scarcity of public charging points, which PlugShare also displays, the new app reduces the chances of getting caught short. One thing it can't do, however, is tell you whether anyone is in to let you use the socket.
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