Zap-Map helps you along the road

Zap-Map have released an integrated Route Planner within their app platform, designed to help EV drivers find suitable charge stops on their electric journey and is available now on Android devices with the iOS version following later in the summer.

Building on the current Zap-Map app which includes UK-wide charge point data, EV drivers can now plan their journeys using a ‘quick plan’ or create a more personalised route. The ‘quick plan’ uses the system defaults to 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.

Alternatively, 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. Equally, EV drivers not wanting to see ‘suggested chargers’ can instead view all available chargers (with filters applied) on a particular route.

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.

Route plans can be saved to the user’s account and, when retrieved, the route is updated for current conditions; the latest location status is shown and EV drivers are able to edit the charge stops selected as necessary. During the journey, users are able to view their progress on the route plan in real time and link to Google maps for detailed turn-by-turn directions if required.

COO and co-founder Melanie Shufflebotham commented on the release: “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.”

Ben Lane, CTO added “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.”

To review the Zap-Map Route Planner, download or upgrade your Zap-Map Android app from Google Play or for more information see: https:www.zap-map.com/route-planner/.

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