PlugShare is a new, free app for the iPhone and iPad that provides a remedy for those suffering from "range anxiety," the fear that an electric vehicle will run out of juice.
Produced by Xatori, a Palo Alto startup, PlugShare calls itself a "community-powered vehicle charging network." The app shows a map of all the public charging stations and taps into the device's GPS to locate the nearest one and provide directions. It also lets users share their personal charging stations, by inputting their address.
"We want to build and support a community that's creating a paradigm shift to a massively cleaner type of transportation," Xatori co-founder and CEO told TechCrunch. "The reality is that most people will charge their electric vehicles at home and not exceed the range of their vehicle very often. This [app] provides a kind of backup plan, and lets you feel comfortable. If you did miscalculate, you'd be ok."
When drivers download PlugShare, they're asked to fill out a brief profile that includes their address and contact information so that others can find their charging station and contact you to charge by appointment. It's not required to share this information, but if a user opts to add their station to PlugShare, it will appear on the map, with different icons to indicate high-speed charging station and at-home plugs. Users can opt-out at any time.
PlugShare can be downloaded for free from the App Store or on the PlugShare Web site. Xatori said it's also developing an Android version to be released in the future.
It's not just for electric car owners, either. Anyone who is willing to share their plug is invited to download the app and add their charging station.
At CES, Ford unveiled the Ford Focus Electric, the company's first-ever all-electric passenger car.
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