Capability
Usable without paying: which EV planners do it
Is there a version that works for free?
Why this one matters
Several of these are free because charging networks pay for placement or the vendor sells electricity. That is not a criticism, but it is worth knowing whose interest the default sort serves.
Product by product
| Product | Verdict | What the documentation says |
|---|---|---|
| A Better Routeplanner | ● Yes | Planning, model database and basic charger search are free. |
| Apple Maps | ● Yes | Free with the device. |
| Chargemap | ● Yes | The map and app are free; the pass and premium tiers are not. |
| Chargeprice | ● Yes | Described as free to use. |
| Drive Charge Eat (our own app) | ○ No | Subscription only, with no free trial stated. |
| Octopus Electroverse | ● Yes | Free to join, with the card free to order. |
| Google Maps | ● Yes | Free. |
| PlugShare | ● Yes | Free. |
| Tesla in-car navigation | ● Yes | Included; there is nothing extra to buy. |
| Zapmap | ● Yes | Free, with a paid Premium tier. |
What to do with this
If you need something that costs nothing, the shortlist is A Better Routeplanner, Apple Maps, Chargemap, Chargeprice, Google Maps, Octopus Electroverse, PlugShare, Tesla in-car navigation and Zapmap. If you do not, ignore this page — a capability you have no use for is not an advantage.