How Much Does It Cost to Develop an EV Charging Station Finder App Like PlugShare?
Published: October 26, 2024
15 min read
In this article, you'll learn:
1
🚗 The Actual Cost to Develop EV Charging Station Finder App like PlugShare
2
💲 Understanding the Cost Components of Developing Apps like PlugShare
3
🛠️ Factors that Affect Costs of Building Apps like PlugShare
4
📊 4 Ways to Reduce the Cost of PlugShare App Development
5
💰 Estimating Return on Investment (ROI) of Apps like PlugShare
6
🗃️ Why Choose Stormotion to Make an EV Charging Station Locator App like PlugShare?
7
💡 Takeaways
As electric vehicles continue to reshape the automotive landscape, one major challenge for drivers is finding reliable and nearby charging stations. Apps like PlugShare have become indispensable tools, helping EV owners easily find charging points, view real-time availability, and even plan long-distance routes.
In a previous article, we discussed the cost to develop an e-scooter app like Lime, highlighting the essential components that go into building such platforms. Now, let's dive into the world of EV charging infrastructure, and explore the factors influencing PlugShare-like app development cost. Let’s go! 🚀
🚗 The Actual Cost to Develop EV Charging Station Finder App like PlugShare
Average PlugShare like app development cost ranges between $23,020 and $34,500, depending on the complexity of the features and functionalities. This investment not only encompasses the initial development but also the ongoing maintenance and updates necessary to keep the app relevant and user-friendly.
PlugShare has a rich history in the electric vehicle ecosystem. Since its inception, it has established itself as the world's leading electric vehicle (EV) community. In mid-2021, PlugShare became part of the EVgo Inc. family, further solidifying its role in the EV market.
An EV charging station finder app allows drivers to find the nearest charging stations (image by Shima Ghasemi)
According to the PlugShare report, the app boasts access to a database of over 250,000 charging stations in the USA and Canada, along with global coverage of more than 450,000 charging stations worldwide. The platform has accumulated more than 5.8 million station reviews and 775,000 charging station photos, reflecting the extensive engagement of its user community.
PlugShare was pioneered by a group of software entrepreneurs whose vision was to simplify the charging experience for EV drivers. And it’s clearly working. With 2 million registered users contributing reviews, pictures, and more, it’s no wonder that the app continues to be the go-to platform for EV drivers around the world as EV adoption skyrockets.
We’re thrilled with PlugShare’s recent milestones and look forward to celebrating many more ahead as EV momentum continues to build.
Cathy Zoi, CEO of EVgo Inc.
With a rapidly growing user base, EVgo Inc. reported that PlugShare has celebrated over 6.5 million user check-ins by 2023. In the past year, the platform experienced a remarkable growth of over 40%, adding 1 million new users to reach a total of 3.5 million registered users globally. This vibrant community of EV drivers actively contributes up-to-date information, making it an invaluable resource for electric vehicle owners.
How much does it cost to make an EV charging station finder app like PlugShare? Its development cost varies between $23,020 and $34,500, depending on the complexity of the features and functionalities included.
💲 Understanding the Cost Components of Developing Apps like PlugShare
When considering the cost of building PlugShare like app, it's crucial to understand the various cost components that contribute to the overall investment. Below are the key areas that can significantly impact the development budget.
Software Licensing
PlugShare relies on third-party APIs, like Google Maps or Mapbox, to provide essential features such as real-time data and mapping. These services can drive up the cost to create an app like PlugShare, especially as user activity scales.
Additionally, accessing a reliable database of charging stations often requires subscriptions to third-party services that aggregate this information, further contributing to the licensing costs.
Implementation and Development Costs
Building an app like PlugShare requires a skilled team of developers and designers. The app's complex features — real-time availability, user reviews, and more — require both frontend and backend development, which increases the overall cost to build mobile app like PlugShare.
Looking to develop an app like PlugShare? Contact us today to turn your idea into reality with our expert development team!
Infrastructure Costs
Hosting a large database, managing real-time data, and ensuring a smooth user experience demand reliable cloud infrastructure. PlugShare’s vast network of over 700,000 charging stations and user-generated content means significant ongoing cloud hosting and data storage expenses.
Choosing a reliable cloud service provider, such as Amazon Web Services (AWS) or Microsoft Azure, is vital for ensuring that the app remains accessible and performs well as the user base expands.
Ongoing Maintenance and Support Costs
Post-launch, maintenance is crucial. Regular updates, bug fixes, and keeping charging station data accurate are all essential for PlugShare’s success. As the user base grows, so do the costs of ensuring smooth functionality and constant updates.
For a more comprehensive look at how to develop an EV charging station app, check out our dedicated guide.
PlugShare app development cost involves several key components: software licensing for essential APIs, development and implementation to handle complex features, infrastructure for hosting large datasets, and ongoing maintenance to keep the app up-to-date and running smoothly. Each of these areas contributes to the overall investment required to create a reliable and scalable EV charging station finder app.
🛠️ Factors that Affect Costs of Building Apps like PlugShare
We previously answered the question: how much does it cost to develop an app like PlugShare? The answer was from $23,020 to $34,500. Now, let’s explore each aspect that plays a role in the overall budget.
App Type
PlugShare offers a mobile app available on both the App Store and Google Play, as well as a web platform, providing users with flexible access across different devices. This dual approach allows for a seamless user experience, whether users are at home or on the go. However, creating and maintaining both platforms requires additional resources, which can increase the overall project budget.
To optimize the cost of developing PlugShare like app, it's important to research your target users' preferences to select the most suitable app type for their needs.
Platform (iOS, Android, Cross-Platform)
Building the PlugShare app as a cross-platform application is a more economical choice compared to developing separate native apps for iOS and Android.
Using frameworks like React Native allows developers to write a single codebase, significantly reducing development time and costs while ensuring a consistent user experience across all devices. This approach is particularly beneficial for startups looking to reduce the cost to develop an EV charging station finder app like PlugShare.
Development Cost Factors | Estimated Cost Range |
|---|---|
Platform Choice | $2,670–$4,000 |
The EV charging station finder app includes real-time availability and connector types (image by Usarion Agency)
Features and Functionality
PlugShare’s extensive features greatly enhance user engagement but also contribute to development costs, similar to the complexity seen in e-scooter app development. Some of the key functionalities of PlugShare include:
- Charging Station Database: A comprehensive database with access to over 700,000 charging stations worldwide, including detailed information about each location.
- Station Details: Users can view ratings, reviews, and photos uploaded by other EV drivers, ensuring they make informed decisions.
- Navigation and Routing: Real-time navigation that guides users to the nearest charging stations, optimizing their travel experience.
- Smart Filters: Users can filter searches by plug type, charging network, availability, and other preferences to find the most suitable stations quickly.
- Real-Time Updates: The app provides up-to-the-minute information on charging station availability, helping users avoid long waits.
- Payment Gateway: Integration of payment solutions allows users to pay for charging sessions directly through the app.
- User Contributions: Community-driven features encourage users to share photos, updates, and reviews, enriching the platform's content.
- Community Engagement: The app fosters interaction between EV drivers, enabling them to share tips, experiences, and recommendations.
- Trip Planner: Users can plan long journeys by mapping out charging stops based on their vehicle’s range and charging preferences.
- Charging Session Monitoring: Users can track the status of their charging sessions in real-time, ensuring a smooth experience.
- Personal Charging Station Listings: Users can list and manage personal charging stations for easy access and sharing.
- Notifications: Alerts keep users informed about station availability, session completions, and community updates.
Development Cost Factors | Estimated Cost Range |
|---|---|
Features and Functionality | $13,670–$20,500 |
UI / UX
The user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) are critical for ensuring user satisfaction with the PlugShare app. A well-designed UI makes it easy for users to navigate the app and quickly find the information they need.
High-quality design and thorough user testing can enhance user engagement but may increase the initial cost to design an EV charging station finder app like PlugShare.
Development Cost Factors | Estimated Cost Range |
|---|---|
UI/UX Design | $1,670–$2,500 |
Backend Development
The backend development for PlugShare is complex, as it must support a large volume of data and ensure smooth real-time interactions. This includes managing the vast database of electric vehicle charging stations, processing user data, handling reviews, and ensuring that real-time updates function correctly.
A robust backend architecture is essential to handle the demands of a growing user base and their interactions, which can add to the overall development costs.
EV charging station finder apps allow users to see charging statistics and manage payments (image by Artem Kovalenko)
Development Cost Factors | Estimated Cost Range |
|---|---|
Backend Development | $2,670–$4,000 |
Third-Party Integrations
PlugShare relies heavily on third-party integrations for various functionalities. This includes mapping services (like Google Maps) for navigation, payment gateways (like Stripe or PayPal) for processing transactions, and APIs for accessing external databases of charging stations. Each integration requires licensing fees and careful implementation, impacting the overall cost to build mobile app like Plugshare.
Development Cost Factors | Estimated Cost Range |
|---|---|
Third-Party Integrations | $1,000–$1,500 |
Testing and Quality Assurance
Testing and QA are vital to ensure that the app runs smoothly across all devices and platforms. This phase involves thorough testing of all PlugShare-like features, including user interactions, payment processing, and data accuracy. A comprehensive testing strategy helps prevent issues post-launch, although it does require additional time and resources.
Development Cost Factors | Estimated Cost Range |
|---|---|
Testing and QA | $1,340–$2,000 |
Maintenance and Updates
Finally, ongoing maintenance and updates are necessary to keep the PlugShare app running efficiently and to respond to user feedback. This principle holds true for electric car rental app development, ensuring all platforms remain user-friendly and functional.
Regular updates ensure that users have the latest features, security patches, and bug fixes, which is crucial for maintaining user trust and satisfaction. This ongoing commitment to quality will contribute to long-term costs but is essential for an app's success.
Development Cost Factors | Estimated Cost Range |
|---|---|
Maintenance and Updates | ~33% of the initial development budget per year |
The cost of developing PlugShare like app is influenced by various factors, including the app type, platform choices, features and functionality, UI/UX design, backend development, third-party integrations, testing, and ongoing maintenance.
Understanding these components is essential for accurately budgeting the development of a comprehensive EV charging station finder app. By considering each factor, developers can create a robust platform that meets the needs of a growing community of electric vehicle users.
📊 4 Ways to Reduce the Cost of PlugShare App Development
If you don’t want to be overwhelmed by the question, "How much does it cost to build an app like PlugShare?" it’s essential to approach the development process strategically. By adopting strategic techniques, you can significantly reduce the overall development expenses. In this section, we’ll explore four effective methods to help you build your app efficiently while maximizing your investment.
Outsource the Development
Outsourcing your app development can significantly reduce costs. By partnering with an experienced EV software development agency, you gain access to a skilled team without the overhead of hiring in-house. For instance, PlugShare likely benefited from outsourced talent to enhance its features efficiently while managing the cost of building PlugShare like app.
Ready to take the next step? Contact us today to discuss how our EV charging app development company can bring your vision to life while keeping costs under control!
Contact Us
Validate Your Idea
Before diving into development, validating your app idea can save both time and resources. Conduct market research, gather feedback from potential users, and analyze competitors like PlugShare to understand what works. This process helps you refine your concept and ensure there’s a demand for your app, reducing the risk of costly revisions later in the development process.
The design of the EV charging station finder app features extensive functionality (image by Extej UI UX Design Agency)
Create an MVP
Minimum Viable Product (MVP) is a strategic way to manage the cost to design an EV charging station finder app like PlugShare. An MVP includes only the essential features needed to launch your app and attract early users.
By focusing on core functionalities — such as real-time charging station availability and user reviews — like PlugShare did initially, you can gather user feedback and iterate on the app without overspending on unnecessary features.
Use Third-Party Resources
Using third-party resources is an effective way to reduce development costs. For instance, PlugShare relies on third-party services such as Google Maps API for real-time navigation and map functionality, and Stripe for seamless payment processing. This approach not only speeds up development but also ensures the integration of reliable, well-tested solutions while keeping costs manageable.
By implementing these strategies, you can streamline the development process and reduce the cost to create an app like PlugShare, all while delivering a feature-rich platform. With careful planning and execution, you can turn your vision into a successful reality without breaking the bank.
💰 Estimating Return on Investment (ROI) of Apps like PlugShare
Understanding the potential ROI is key to determining whether developing an app like PlugShare is financially viable. Here's how the return can be estimated, taking into account both costs and revenue.
1. Investment Costs
To get a full picture of the initial outlay for a PlugShare-like app, we can break down average PlugShare like app development cost:
- Development: $34,500.
- Annual Maintenance: $11,385.
- Marketing & Distribution: $8,000.
- Operational Expenses: $5,000.
This brings the total investment for the first year to $58,885.
2. Revenue
A PlugShare-like app can generate income through multiple streams, such as advertising, partnerships, and premium features. For instance:
- Advertising: $30,000 from ads displayed to users.
- Partnerships: $15,000 through deals with charging station networks.
- Ad-Free Subscription: With 5,000 users, if 2,000 of them subscribe to an ad-free experience at $0.99 per month, the annual revenue from this would be $23,760.
The total revenue is projected at $68,760 in the first year.
3. Net Profit
By subtracting the total investment costs from the total revenue, we get a net profit of $9,875.
4. ROI Calculation
To calculate ROI, divide the net profit by the total investment cost to develop an EV charging station finder app like PlugShare, then multiply by 100 to express it as a percentage: With an estimated ROI of 16.8%, building an app like PlugShare shows significant potential for profitability, making it a promising investment.
🗃️ Why Choose Stormotion to Make an EV Charging Station Locator App like PlugShare?
Stormotion is an experienced EV charging app development company, delivering scalable and user-friendly solutions tailored to the needs of EV drivers. One of the examples of our expertise is our work on DeftPower, a white-label solution that empowers businesses to provide a seamless interaction platform for EV users.
DeftPower offers companies a customizable app that facilitates everything from locating charging stations to managing charging processes and tracking history. However, developing a white-label app presents unique challenges. It requires stability and extensive customization, including features like personalized sign-ups and a comprehensive vehicle list.
The DeftPower app helps drivers locate charging stations, manage their charging sessions, and track their charging history (image by Stormotion)
Our team utilized cross-platform React Native technology, resulting in a robust app for both iOS and Android. The DeftPower solution comprises:
- Backend System: Communicates with charging stations via the OCPI protocol.
- Customer Portal: Allows easy customization of app features and branding.
- Mobile App: Integrates data about vehicles, users, and charging stations.
Our focused approach led to a complete overhaul of the existing app, significantly improving user experience. We enhanced the UI with animations for charging and history screens, resulting in the app's rating jumping from 1.8 to 4 stars.
Our experience in refining existing apps and delivering scalable, stable platforms makes Stormotion an ideal partner to minimize your PlugShare app development cost while ensuring your users have a smooth and engaging experience from day one.
💡 Takeaways
Developing an EV charging station finder application like PlugShare costs between $23,020 and $34,500, influenced by several key factors.
- The main factors include platform choice, UI/UX design, backend development, API integrations, testing, and ongoing maintenance.
- Important functionalities such as real-time charging station availability, user reviews, navigation support, and payment processing significantly affect both development costs and user satisfaction.
- To minimize Plugshare-like app development cost, consider outsourcing development, validating your app idea early, building an MVP, and using third-party services for non-essential features.
- A well-structured development and monetization plan can lead to a strong return on investment for your PlugShare-like app.
Ready to develop your own EV charging station locator app? Contact our experts today to discuss your project goals and budget.
Was it helpful?
Questions you may have
Take a look at how we solve challenges to meet project requirements
What experience does your team have in developing EV-related apps, particularly charging station finders?
Our team has extensive experience in developing EV-related applications, including charging station finders. We have worked on projects that integrate real-time data, user-friendly interfaces, and advanced features like GPS navigation and payment processing.
Can you provide case studies or references from similar projects you've completed?
Yes, we can provide case studies highlighting our successful projects in the EV space, showcasing how we addressed challenges and implemented features that enhanced user engagement and functionality. You can find relevant cases in our portfolio on our website.
How do you approach cost control to prevent budget overruns during development?
We employ a structured project management approach that includes detailed planning, regular progress reviews, and milestone tracking. By validating features through user feedback and prioritizing essential functionalities, we minimize the risk of budget overruns.
What is the typical timeline for delivering a fully functional MVP for an app like this?
The timeline for delivering a fully functional MVP for a charging station locator app typically ranges from 3 to 5 months, depending on the complexity of features and design.
How do you ensure the app remains scalable as we expand the number of stations and users?
We design the app's architecture with scalability in mind, utilizing cloud services and modular components that can handle increased traffic and data as the number of users and charging stations grows.
What are the key factors that influence the overall ROI for such an app?
Key factors influencing ROI include user acquisition and retention strategies, monetization methods (such as in-app advertising or subscription models), and the app's ability to provide value through unique features and reliable data.
How do you manage API integrations with third-party services such as charging station databases?
We follow best practices for API integration, including thorough documentation review, adherence to security protocols, and continuous monitoring of API performance to ensure seamless communication between the EV charging station finder app and third-party services.
What frameworks or technologies would you recommend for the backend to ensure fast and secure access to station data?
We recommend using technologies such as Node.js or Python with frameworks like Express or Flask for the backend. These technologies provide efficient performance and robust security features, ideal for handling real-time data.
What kind of ongoing support and maintenance can you provide post-launch?
We offer comprehensive ongoing support, including regular updates, bug fixes, performance monitoring, and user feedback integration to ensure the app remains functional and up-to-date.
How do you ensure data security and user privacy, especially with payment integrations?
We implement industry-standard security measures, such as end-to-end encryption, secure payment gateways, and compliance with data protection regulations to safeguard user information and transactions.
How do you handle load balancing and uptime for an app that relies on real-time data across multiple geographies?
We deploy load-balancing solutions and utilize multiple server locations to distribute traffic evenly and ensure high availability. This setup minimizes downtime and enhances performance across various regions.
What is your approach to testing for edge cases, such as network failures or GPS inaccuracies?
Our testing approach includes rigorous simulations of edge cases, automated testing scripts, and manual testing to assess app performance under various scenarios, ensuring robust error handling and recovery mechanisms.
Can you build a system that allows for real-time updates and user-generated content (e.g., station reviews, availability)?
Yes, we can implement a system that supports real-time updates and user-generated content, utilizing websockets or similar technologies for instant data synchronization and community engagement features.
How do you future-proof the app to accommodate new EV technologies or station types?
We adopt a modular architecture that allows for easy integration of new technologies and features. Regular updates and flexible design ensure the app can evolve with emerging trends and user needs in the EV industry.
Read also
Our clients say
![Stormotion client Alexander Wolff, CPO from [object Object]](/static/a16ba3c9580effc3ab9a68d115eadffe/1b3aa/alex.webp)
When I was working with Stormotion, I forgot they were an external agency. They put such effort into my product it might as well have been their own. I’ve never worked with such a client-focused company before.
Alexander Wolff, CPO
Sjut