The EV revolution is upon us. As more and more drivers like you make the switch, the demand for EV charging stations all over the country is higher than ever. Though charging your EV can sometimes be seen as a more difficult aspect of owning one, there are many new advancements in charging that are making it simpler than ever before. There are also certain steps you can take to ensure your charging experience is smooth and convenient, and one of those is reserving a charging spot in advance. Reserving your spot at a charging station is easy, especially with apps like Charge Anywhere that help take care of it for you, and all around reassures you that your charging experience will be a breeze. Here’s how to do it.
The Challenges of On-the-Spot EV Charging
The normalization of EVs benefits existing EV drivers in a lot of ways, such as an increased prevalence of charging stations to meet the needs of drivers. However, much of this infrastructure is still being built, and at present there can be some difficulties and uncertainties when it comes to finding an available charging station without a reservation. Particularly in highly-populated areas, there may only be a certain amount of charging stations for many EV drivers. Unfortunately, without a reservation, you can never be truly sure that you’ll be able to drive your vehicle until you get there.
You never want to be in a situation where you’re on a roadtrip in an unfamiliar area and need a charge to get through the rest of the drive, but can’t find an available station. Booking a reservation in advance allows you to eliminate that stress, and it’s easier than you may think with apps like Charge Anywhere that let you focus on the road and don’t require your attention to find and reserve a station.
Benefits of Reserving EV Charging in Advance
Reserving an EV charging station in advance allows for greater convenience, but also has other benefits you might not be aware of, like cost awareness and eco-friendliness, which may be some of the reasons you decided to purchase an EV in the first place. Here are some of the key advantages:
- Convenience
- Guaranteed Charging: Get a dedicated charging spot at a specified time
- Time Efficiency: Save time that might be wasted searching for an available charging station, especially during peak hours
- Cost-Efficiency
- Predictable Pricing: Some charging stations offer discounts or fixed rates for customers who reserve charging slots in advance
- Avoiding Peak Pricing: In areas where electricity prices fluctuate based on demand, reserving charging slots during off-peak hours can save money
- Sustainability
- Load Balancing: Ensures efficient use of resources and reducing strain on the grid during peak hours
- Infrastructure Planning
- Data Collection: Helps charging station operators optimize their infrastructure and plan for future expansion or maintenance based on usage trends
- Demand Forecasting: Analysis of reservation data leads to the construction of necessary infrastructure to meet the growing demand for EV charging
- Enhanced User Experience
- Notification Systems: Receive notifications and reminders about your reserved charging session
- User Profiles: Store your preferences, making the reservation process smoother and tailored to your individual needs in the future
When you notice that your battery is getting low, go ahead and reserve a charging station time. Once you experience the added benefits to your charging routine, it’ll become an essential habit for owning an EV.
How to Reserve a Spot with Charge Anywhere
Charge Anywhere makes reserving charging stations a straightforward and intuitive process. Our user-friendly interface and features allow you to set filters and preferences for charging stations so that you can find one that’s both right for your vehicle and suited to your amenity and service needs.
Once you start driving, Charge Anywhere utilizes intelligent route mapping to find available charging stations along your route. The app can track the battery life of your vehicle, scout for nearby stations that meet your filters, direct you there so you don’t lose any time on the road, and make a reservation for you as you make your way there. Don’t worry about fiddling with your phone as you drive, trying to put in your information or find a charging station that appears close enough. Charge Anywhere uses your account information and preferences, filled out in advance, so all you have to do is follow the app’s directions.
Intelligent Route Mapping with Charge Anywhere
Intelligent route mapping is a new navigational technology being utilized in many cars and GPS systems these days. Charge Anywhere understands that charging is an essential part of your journey when driving an EV, so our app includes charging as part of our intelligent route mapping software.
Curious about how it works? Intelligent route mapping refers to the use of advanced algorithms and real-time data to optimize travel routes. It takes into account various factors such as traffic conditions, weather, road closures, and user preferences to provide the most efficient and timely route for a specific journey. Charge Anywhere includes EV charging in those factors that affect your route. This is crucial for an EV driver because it allows for:
- Efficient Trip Planning: Intelligent route mapping considers the location of reserved charging stations along the route, ensuring that drivers can recharge their vehicles at the right times and places without deviating significantly from their path.
- Real-time Updates: If a reserved spot becomes unavailable due to unforeseen circumstances, the route mapping system can suggest alternative charging stations, preventing disruptions in the journey.
- Optimized Charging Stops: Intelligent route mapping considers factors like charging speed and battery range, enabling EV owners to plan optimized charging stops. It calculates the ideal charging duration at each station, minimizing waiting time and ensuring that the vehicle has enough charge to reach the next destination.
- User Preferences: Charge Anywhere takes user preferences into account, such as charging station brands or types of connectors supported.
- Predictive Analysis: This feature helps drivers plan their reservations more effectively in the future, ensuring they secure charging slots even during high-demand periods.
The reason why intelligent route mapping is an essential part of the charging station reservation system is because it provides a seamless experience for EV owners. Its ability to analyze, adapt, and reserve in real-time ensures that EV journeys are not only efficient but also stress-free for drivers like you.
Tips for Effective Reservation
Of course, there are some days and locations where finding a reservation is naturally more difficult, especially if you have a type of EV that calls for a specific charger. Here are some tips that can help you easily secure a charging station reservation:
- Reserve during off-peak hours, such at the middle of the day or late at night
- Set reminders for your reservation or use a software that automatically sends reminders, like Charge Anywhere
- Adjust your reservation time if you’re running late to ensure you still get maximum charging time
Though there are some things to remember when making a reservation, overall, it leads to a more stress-free charging experience. Would you rather follow a few extra steps, or be unable to charge your EV when you most need to?
Reservations Make a Difference
Imagine you’re a commuter having a busy day at work – lots of you are probably in that situation every weekday. Your lunch break is short, but you know you need to get a charge in before you head back onto the road after the day is done to get home quickly and beat the traffic. Station reservations allow you to make sure a space is free so you don’t waste any time of your precious lunch break driving around to different stations and checking them out. Reservations also enable you to pick the exact time you want to be there, so you can analyze your day and find a slow moment where you can duck out and take your car to charge. Reservations even let you make sure that the station you choose is near a great lunch spot so you can grab something to eat while you wait.
Reservations make a difference in your daily routine and prevent you from ever running late to an important event because your car has to charge again. Take the stress out of owning an EV and utilize the many benefits that reservations can bring.
Conclusion
Reservations are a unique aspect of owning an EV that can improve your daily routine. Gas stations certainly don’t have reservations available, but charging station reservations ensure you have a smooth experience that checks off all your boxes when it comes to a convenient station location with all your desired services and nearby amenities.
EV drivers should consider downloading the Charge Anywhere app to easily reserve charging spots and enjoy a hassle-free charging experience. You can find Charge Anywhere on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, and all it takes is a few clicks to set up your account that will bring great benefits whenever it’s time to get charging.
