As electric vehicles (EVs) become increasingly prevalent, the integration of Apple CarPlay with EV-specific applications has significantly enhanced the driving experience. CarPlay allows drivers to seamlessly access a variety of apps directly through their vehicle’s infotainment system, providing essential tools for navigation, charging station location, and more. Below is a curated list of top CarPlay-compatible apps that every EV owner should consider:
1. A Better Route Planner (ABRP)
ABRP is a comprehensive trip planning tool tailored for EV drivers. By inputting your vehicle model, current charge level, and desired destination, ABRP calculates optimal routes, incorporating necessary charging stops and estimating charging durations. The app offers real-time traffic updates and adjusts routes accordingly, ensuring efficient travel. While the basic version is free, a premium subscription unlocks additional features such as Apple CarPlay integration, real-time traffic data, and vehicle data sharing. ([carsloth.com](https://www.carsloth.com/advice/best-apps-for-electric-car-owners?utm_source=openai))
2. Apple Maps
Apple Maps has evolved to support EV routing, assisting drivers in planning trips that include charging stops. The app considers factors like charger availability, charging speed, elevation changes, and driving speed to determine optimal charging points along your route. Additionally, Apple Maps can monitor your vehicle’s charge level and suggest alternative routes to the nearest charging station if necessary. However, as of now, this feature is limited to select models like the Ford Mustang Mach-E, F-150 Lightning, and Porsche Taycan.
3. PlugShare
PlugShare is a widely-used app that provides a comprehensive map of charging stations across various networks. It offers detailed information on charger types, availability, and user reviews, helping drivers make informed decisions about where to charge. The app also allows users to filter search results based on plug type and charging network, ensuring compatibility with their vehicle. PlugShare’s community-driven approach ensures up-to-date information, making it a valuable resource for EV owners. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlugShare?utm_source=openai))
4. Electrify America
For drivers who frequently use the Electrify America network, this app is indispensable. It enables users to locate and filter charging stations, view charger availability, and even initiate charging sessions directly from the CarPlay interface. While the app provides detailed information about charging stations, including the number of chargers, charging speeds, connector types, pricing, and idle fees, it currently lacks real-time charging status updates during the charging session. ([theinsightpost.com](https://theinsightpost.com/these-are-the-best-carplay-apps-for-ev-owners/?utm_source=openai))
5. ChargePoint
ChargePoint offers a seamless experience for users of its extensive charging network. Through the CarPlay interface, drivers can locate nearby ChargePoint stations, filter results based on connector type and charging speed, and start charging sessions. The app also provides real-time notifications about charging status and session costs, ensuring transparency and convenience for EV owners. ([beebom.com](https://beebom.com/best-carplay-apps/?utm_source=openai))
6. Waze
Waze is a community-driven navigation app that provides real-time traffic updates, road hazard alerts, and alternate route suggestions. While its EV-specific features are limited compared to other apps, Waze allows users to find nearby charging stations and chargers along their current route. Its strength lies in its ability to offer real-time traffic information, making it a valuable tool when used alongside other EV-focused applications. ([appleinsider.com](https://appleinsider.com/articles/23/03/04/the-best-apps-for-apple-carplay?utm_source=openai))
7. WattsUp
WattsUp is designed to help EV drivers plan journeys around charging points, offering real-time updates about charger availability. While it doesn’t store vehicle information or calculate charging points based on current charge levels, it excels in providing up-to-date information on charging station status. This feature is particularly useful for finding alternative charging options quickly if a preferred station becomes unavailable. ([carsloth.com](https://www.carsloth.com/advice/best-apps-for-electric-car-owners?utm_source=openai))
8. EV Hotels
For EV drivers who frequently travel and require overnight stays, EV Hotels is a valuable app that helps locate hotels equipped with charging stations. With a database of over 250,000 registered hotels worldwide, the app allows users to set preferred hotel brands and prioritizes search results accordingly. This ensures that both the driver and the vehicle can recharge during extended trips. ([carsloth.com](https://www.carsloth.com/advice/best-apps-for-electric-car-owners?utm_source=openai))
9. Google Maps
Google Maps is a widely-used navigation app that has incorporated features beneficial to EV drivers. It can display your estimated battery level upon arrival at your destination and prompt you to add charging stops if it detects that you may not reach your destination without recharging. These intuitive features make Google Maps a reliable option for EV navigation, especially when integrated with CarPlay. ([carsloth.com](https://www.carsloth.com/advice/best-apps-for-electric-car-owners?utm_source=openai))
10. EasyPark
EasyPark simplifies the parking process by allowing users to start and end parking sessions directly from their vehicle’s location. Supporting over 2,200 cities and 4,000 parking operators, primarily in Europe, the app automatically begins a parking session upon arrival and ends it as you drive away, billing you accordingly. This eliminates the need for additional apps or manual payments, streamlining the parking experience for EV drivers. ([techradar.com](https://www.techradar.com/vehicle-tech/hybrid-electric-vehicles/the-9-best-android-automotive-apps-to-upgrade-your-driving-experience-in-2025?utm_source=openai))
Conclusion
Integrating these CarPlay-compatible apps into your EV driving routine can significantly enhance your experience by providing efficient navigation, easy access to charging stations, and real-time updates on charging availability. As the EV landscape continues to evolve, leveraging these tools will ensure a smoother and more informed driving experience.
