Whether you're new to electric cars or have been driving one for years, you’ve probably heard us refer to ‘live data’ at some point or another.
Here we explain what we mean when we say live data, and why it’s so helpful if you drive an electric vehicle.
What is live data on Zapmap?
We’ve been mapping charge points since 2014, and have the widest choice of charging options in the UK. That means we show more than 95% of the UK’s public chargers on the Zapmap app and desktop map.
But did you know that over 75% of the charge points on Zapmap show live data on a twenty-four seven basis?
At any time of day, you’ll be able to see if a charge point is available, if it’s in use, if it's out of service – or if its status is unknown.
Live data on Zapmap gives you peace of mind, enabling you to see to-the-minute information about the status of a charge point and its connectors, as well as the latest details on pricing, payment methods and access.
Why do we have live data on Zapmap?
To put it simply, having live data on Zapmap makes it much easier to work out where you want to charge.
Whatever type of electric car you drive, and wherever you live in the UK, it helps you make the most of the country’s growing public charge point network.
Thanks to long-established integrations with charge point operators across the country, Zapmap displays a combination of real-time and enriched charging information, giving you everything you need – right at your fingertips.
So if ever you feel any unwanted range or charging anxiety creeping in, open Zapmap to search tens of thousands of charge points across the country, the vast majority of which display live availability status.
Live data enables you to find available charge points wherever you go in the UK.
On longer journeys, for example, you’ll be able to see that although the closest charge point might be in use, 10 minutes away there are six available chargers at the ultra-rapid hub just off the motorway.
Alternatively, let’s say you don’t have a charge point at home. You’re looking for a lamppost charger close to home because you want to refill the battery overnight. The chargers outside your house are taken, but you can see on Zapmap that the charge points at the end of the road are all available.
You can see live status updates on Zapmap from on-street charging providers such as Connected Kerb.
So one very good reason to check out which EV charging networks show live data on Zapmap is that it will give you the confidence to drive any length of journey in your electric car, even if that's just around the corner.
Which networks show live data on Zapmap?
Over 75% of chargers on Zapmap show live data, twenty-four seven. This includes many charge point operators you’ll likely know, or at least have seen signs for on the motorway.
You’ll probably recognise names such as Applegreen Electric, GRIDSERVE, MFG EV Power and Osprey Charging, for example – all of which display live status updates. Others you may have come across include bp pulse, ChargePlace Scotland, Connected Kerb and Source London.
Ultra-rapid charging network MFG EV Power is a Zapmap live data partner.
For a full list showing which networks display live data on Zapmap, open the app or EV charging desktop map and navigate to the ‘Networks’ filter. Here you’ll be able to see all charging networks listed on Zapmap.
Networks that display live data each have their own dedicated logo, and are towards the top of the list.
As you scroll further down, you’ll see other networks with a generic, black-and-white logo: these networks do not currently show live data.
Networks that display live data have their own dedicated logo. Other networks show a black-and-white logo.
We’re always working to bring more charge point operators on board so that they display live status updates on Zapmap for electric car drivers up and down the country.
What are the benefits of live data for electric car drivers?
One of the main benefits of having live data on Zapmap is that you know you’re seeing the best and most up-to-date charging information.
That means you can enjoy stress-free driving when out and about. It enables you to find available charge points wherever you go in the UK or mainland Europe, whether you’re on the open road, close to home or at your destination.
If you’re only a few minutes from a bank of chargers, for example, and you can see they’re all available as of a moment ago – that knowledge not only provides peace of mind, but gives you confidence that you can simply roll up, start charging and even grab a quick coffee.
Live data powers our availability toggle
The live availability toggle in the app enables you to charge with confidence wherever you go.
It means you can quickly toggle between seeing all charge points or only those that are available right now – at just the tap of a button.
The toggle makes it even easier for you to see real-time charger availability, and so find suitable charge points that fit in nicely with your plans.
With well over 75% of the charge points on Zapmap displaying real-time status updates and new ones being added all the time, live data is already one of the most popular features in the app.
Even better, as we welcome more and more live data partners to the app, it means an increasing number of charge point operators are included when you use the availability toggle, providing you with peace of mind when out and about in your EV.
Using Zapmap in your car dashboard
You’ll find live data particularly useful when using Zapmap Premium in your in-car dashboard, because you can see live status updates while on the move.
Via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, Zapmap Premium enables you to view real-time status and navigate to available chargers on-the-go. It also means you can save 5% on Zap-Pay charging, keeping you powered up and saving money.
