This App Makes EV Charging More Transparent—And Easier To Understand

The smartphone app Chargeway has just added real-time pricing for public EV chargers, making it easier than ever for electric vehicle owners to understand the cost of charging on the go.

One of Chargeway’s standout features is its simple 1 to 7 scale that rates charging speeds — a more intuitive alternative to the often confusing kilowatt-hour figures. The app aims to answer several key questions that new and seasoned EV drivers alike frequently ask:
– Can I connect my car here?
– How long will charging take?
– How many chargers are available?
– How much will my charge session cost?

In the third quarter of this year alone, 440,000 Americans purchased a new electric vehicle—many of them first-time owners. That means nearly half a million people are now navigating terms like kilowatt-hours, kilowatts, CCS and North American Charging Standard (NACS) plugs, and charging curves.

Beyond the technical jargon, there’s also the learning curve of owning an EV. While these terms are second nature to EV veterans, early adopters, or industry professionals, they can be confusing for newcomers who are more familiar with gas-powered cars and might not have thought much about their vehicles beyond routine oil changes. Unfortunately, the myriad existing charging apps and even in-car route planners don’t always make this transition easier.

Chargeway aims to change that. Based in Oregon, the company simplifies the experience by color-coding your EV’s plug type:
– Green for CCS
– Red for Tesla NACS
– Blue for CHAdeMO (which is becoming less common)

More importantly, the app translates your car’s potential charging speeds into an easy-to-understand 1 to 7 scale, with 7 representing the fastest possible charge. The higher the number, the quicker your battery will fill up.

As of this week, Chargeway’s capabilities have expanded further with the addition of real-time pricing across all of North America. Now, users can instantly see how much electricity will cost at each charging station — the EV equivalent of a gas price at the pump. The app lists both daily flat rate prices per kilowatt-hour and variable pricing that can fluctuate throughout the day.

All of this comes free, but subscribers paying $5.99 per month get additional perks, such as seeing prices directly on the charging station map and receiving precise cost estimates for charging sessions.

Like many EV owners, I primarily charge my vehicle at home. I rely on DC fast-charging mainly during road trips, long drives, or when testing cars for InsideEVs—my personal use case. But now, with Chargeway’s update, I can easily compare prices along my route. For example, an Acura dealer on my way to New York City charges 79 cents per kilowatt-hour, while a nearby Tesla Supercharger offers 50 cents per kWh. Though I might need a Tesla adapter, the Supercharger presents a more cost-effective option.

“Now with one tap on the Chargeway station map, drivers can easily see what we in the industry know the public must learn: Can I connect my car here? How long will charging take? How many chargers are available? How much will my charge session cost?” said Matt Teske, Chargeway’s founder and CEO, in a news release. “With our latest update, Chargeway users can now see ‘electric fuel pricing’ for thousands of stations at a glance.”

While many EV owners might hesitate to add yet another smartphone app, Chargeway is worth considering and is available for download in both the Apple App Store and Google Play.

Ultimately, EV charging must become simpler and more transparent to help everyday drivers make the switch from gasoline. Most people don’t have the time or desire to understand the nuances of kilowatt-hour speeds. Charging simply has to work — right from the very first time — with clear pricing visible upfront. Chargeway appears to be a promising step toward that goal.

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*Contact the author: [email protected]*
https://insideevs.com/news/776232/chargeway-pricing-app-update-october/

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