ENECHANGE Ltd. has updated its ENECHANGE EV Charge app with a new “Vacancy Notification” feature. This update informs users wanting to use an EV charging port about the availability at their registered spots and displays the number of people waiting to use the port. This aims to give a more transparent view of wait time for an available EV charging port and facilitate smoother use of the charging service.

 

Background

As the government is promoting low-emission vehicles to account for 100% of new passenger car sales by 2035, the annual sales of these vehicles in 2023 reached a record high of 140,000 units, indicating steady market growth. However, with the increase in low-emission vehicle users, charging congestion and unpredictable wait times have emerged as new challenges. Although charging port reservation may seem like an attractive solution, it can lead to issues like reserved vehicles not showing up or others accidentally occupying the spot. Major EV charging operators in advanced EV countries have generally refrained from implementing reservation features. In Japan, despite government subsidies for shared EV charging facilities, clear rules and usage guidelines are yet to be established.

 

About “Vacancy Notification”

ENECHANGE has already been providing mechanisms to reduce missed charging opportunities, such as real-time availability information in the app and notifications for vacancies at registered spots. The newly released “Vacancy Notification” feature not only informs users waiting to charge when a spot becomes available but also notifies users who have completed charging about others waiting for the spot. This is expected to encourage prompt vehicle relocation after charging. The feature targets Level 2 charging ports installed at commercial facilities and residential buildings. However, the decision to move the vehicle quickly after charging is left to the user’s discretion. Cooperation is appreciated for smooth usage, especially when others are waiting.

Using “Vacancy Notification”

For those who want to use a charging port

– Tap the star mark on the charging spot card to add it to your favorites.
– Turn on notifications by tapping the bell icon for each spot in your favorites.
– You will receive a push notification when the charging port becomes available.

For users who have finished charging

– Tap the “Charging Complete” button in the app to see the number of users waiting. These are users who have favorited the spot and turned on vacancy notifications.

 

 New Media Browsing Features and Menu Bar Added

The ENECHANGE EV Charge app continuously improves user convenience. With this release, in addition to “Vacancy Notification,” a menu bar has been added for easy access to key features.

Locations: Return to the map screen for charging port searches with one tap.

Favorites: List your favorite charging port locations and view their availability. The number of users who have favorited a location and the option to toggle notifications are also available.

Media: Access daily updated articles by automotive journalists and professional writers, the “EVsmart Blog,” the YouTube channel “EVsmart” for long-drive tests and EV life tips, and basic knowledge about EVs and charging from ENECHANGE EV Charge.

Menu: View route search, My Page (charging history, various charging data), and more.

 

 New “My Page” with Aggregated User Data

My Page has been added to the menu. Users can now view their registered information, such as contact details and vehicle information, and various charging data, including monthly charging costs and savings compared to gasoline. Users can also register for the “ENECHANGE EV Supporters” program via My Page, a user-participation program promoting a reliable charging infrastructure by sharing information about charging spots. Since its launch on December 6, 2023, approximately 1,200 users have registered, contributing about 2,300 photos and reviews of charging spots. Supporters can view their earned points on My Page.

 

ENECHANGE EV Charge

ENECHANGE EV Charge is a user-first Level 2 EV charging service, accepting app payments as well as cards from e-Mobility Power and various car companies. The free app offers features like the viewing of charge port availability, comparing charging costs with gasoline expenses, and planning charging for trips. It is the No. 1* app in terms of user numbers and the number of installed charging ports. The service is highly rated for its total support from installation to operation, with plans starting from zero installation and monthly fees.

* Based on the number of installed EV charging ports by an app-based service provider (as of February 2024, according to GoGoEV).
* Number of iOS & Android downloads among five EV charging service companies (as of November 2023, according to data.ai research).

URL: https://ev-charge-enechange.jp/ 

X: https://twitter.com/enechange_ev 

 

ENECHANGE Ltd.

ENECHANGE is an energy technology company that promotes a carbon-free society through digital technology with the mission of Changing Energy For A Better World. We offer services based on data utilization in the 4Ds of Energy: Deregulation, Digitalization, Decarbonization, and Decentralization. Our company’s roots come from an energy data lab at the University of Cambridge, UK, a country where liberalization is mature. ENECHANGE has a UK subsidiary, ENECHANGE Innovation Limited, as well as a global network and analytical technology for energy data.

URL: https://enechange.co.jp/en/

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ENECHANGE Ltd.
pr@enechange.co.jp