Zap-Map launches EV charging route planner

Zap-Map has launched a route planner, designed to help UK motorists locate electric vehicle charge points on route.

Building in the current app, which includes UK-wide charge point data, motorists can now use the ‘quick plan’ feature to create a more personalised route.

By using system defaults it will suggest up to three suitable rapid chargers within one mile of their route, which are closest to their estimated ‘drive range’ for each journey leg.

This new feature is available now on Android devices with the iOS version following later in the summer.

Zap-Map’s co-founder and chief operating officer Melanie Shufflebotham said: “We are excited to be releasing the new Zap-Map Route Planner.

"With over 60,000 Zap-Map users across our desktop and app platforms each month and the EV parc expanding at a rapid rate, we know that there is a real demand from EV drivers.

"This new Route Planner will enable EV drivers to plan their electric journeys across any charge point network, with the latest status information.”

EV drivers can create a customised route by adjusting charger search criteria, percentage battery charge assumptions and route filters.

Inexperienced EV drivers may wish to have a higher charge buffer when on a longer journey, whilst more seasoned drivers may be comfortable with a low battery charge on arrival.

Zap-Map’s Route Planner bases all of its calculations on estimates of real range and energy efficiency for particular EV models which are selected by users from all available UK models.

Users are able to override real range values depending on their own driving experience. Once a route and/or journey leg is selected, adjustments are made for average driving speed and any changes in elevation.

Using real-world data, the predicted driving range is reduced for routes with average speed over 50 mph or with significant inclines.

Zap-Map’s chief technical officer Ben Lane said: “The new Route Planner is one of a number of tools developed by Zap-Map to support EV charging in the real-world.

"With its smart route selection wizard and EV drive range algorithm, the Route Planner has been designed to be easy to use and also to reflect real-world driving conditions.

"We are already planning v2 which will include additional range factors and notifications to alert drivers en route in the event of road closures or planned charge stops going offline.”