CoCharger: Shared EV Charging

Been a host for a few months and now have 2 local ‘chargees’. On the whole the process is smooth and works well. A few suggestions though: Would be useful if you could toggle the app between being a host and a chargee on the same account so you can see how it looks from the other person’s perspective. Also to check other hosts rates in the local area to be sure you are competitive with pricing. I made a second account using another email but it seems a clunky workaround. Other useful feature would be to support more than one charge rate for different hours. My energy provider offers cheap rate overnight but I can’t pass that on to my chargees or incentivise them to charge overnight when grid demand is low (so better for the planet) as there is no way to configure this in the app. I have to assume the worst which is that they charge during peak daytime rates. Maybe its because cocharger would make less profit !! Lastly - I can’t see a history of messages I’ve sent - there should be an inbox and a sent in the message section of the app.

This is an app for those committed to the EV revolution and, or helping others in their community. It is aimed at expanding EV ownership, not allowing users to travel the country looking for charging points and, for this reason, you are either a Host or Chargee. However, if you are a Chargee, rather than Host (I am a Host), you can charge anywhere there is a Host, in principle. The app could be developed for greater functionality but the aims of the system and the main gains of the app are present in this version, which I have no problem using. This is a useful addition to the world of EV charging within its intended useage parameters.

While we wait for local councils to get on top of the issue of EV ownership when you don’t have off-street parking facilitating home charging - there’s a great solution already to hand in the Co-Charge App and which will ultimately complement any council offering. An EV owner with off-street parking can essential AirBnB their charger - the person using the charger gets access to p/KWh rates comparable to daytime home electricity use and invariably cheaper and more secure than slow public charging. The person offering the charger gets a price which while still competitive to the user invariably makes a sum for them compensating them for initial investment in the charger, time and use of their secure parking location. The App is simple and straight forward - handling the logistics of booking, notifications and user payment and a very reasonable well structured small commission. I recommend highly. For the charger provider a great additional income to off-set charger installation cost and as one might only use their charger once or twice a week not burdensome and with many energy providers offering EV off-peak tariffs and many public chargers in excess of home capped rate (p/kWh) the numbers stack up for both parties. Just Brilliant.