As an EV owner, finding reliable charging stations and planning efficient routes is essential for getting out on the open road. Planning is crucial for a stress-free journey. You’re likely familiar with A Better Route Planner and Plugshare, two popular tools designed to make your EV adventures smoother. But which one is right for you? In this review, we’ll examine into the differences, advantages, and disadvantages of each product. We’ll be exploring their features for finding chargers, route planning, and navigation. If you drive a Tesla, this will still be somewhat relevant, but less so, as you’ll likely use the inbuilt Tesla apps. In my limited Tesla experience, I still use these apps though. Here’s a Tesla Model Y Review which spells out a few basics for Tesla Navigation (more to come on Teslas later). By the end of this comparison, you’ll be equipped to make an informed decision about which tool best fits your needs. So let’s dig in and see…
A Better Routeplanner, ABRP, or Plugshare? What app should we be installing?
Plugshare Review
As you probe the world of electric vehicle charging, you’ll quickly realize that having a reliable and efficient charging companion is crucial. That’s where Plugshare comes in. In this review, we’ll explore the features, performance, and user experience of their flagship product.
Features and Specifications
To get started, Plugshare boasts an impressive array of features, including hundreds of thousands charging stations across the globe, real-time availability updates, and filters to help you find the perfect charger for your needs. With in-app route planning, you can plan your trips with confidence, ensuring you always have a charging station nearby.
Performance and User Experience
Any electric vehicle owner will tell you that finding a reliable charger can be a daunting task. Fortunately, Plugshare makes it a breeze, with fast and accurate search results that get you charged up and back on the road in no time. User directions and photos will help you identify a charger location, even in the darkest corner of a carpark.
It’s worth noting that the app’s user interface is incredibly intuitive, making it easy to navigate even for those who aren’t tech-savvy. The real-time updates ensure that you’re always aware of any changes to charger availability, giving you peace of mind on long trips. Additionally, the app’s community-driven reviews provide valuable insights from fellow electric vehicle owners, helping you make informed decisions about which chargers to use.
A Better Route Planner (ABRP) Review
It’s time to investigate the second contender in our Route Planner Showdown: ABRP. This GPS route planner also boasts an impressive set of features and specifications that are sure to appeal to many users.
Read my previous ABRP Review here
Features and Specifications
Clearly, A Better Routeplanner or ABRP has been designed with the modern traveler in mind. Additionally, it supports multiple languages and runs on Android or Apple devices. Add an OBD2 dongle for real time vehicle telemetry such as updated State of Charge.
Performance and User Experience
For those who value ease of use, ABRP delivers. Its intuitive interface makes it easy to plan and navigate routes, and the device responds quickly to user input. You’ll appreciate the real-time traffic updates and alerts that help you avoid congested roads, if you upgrade to the paid premium version.
With ABRP, you’ll have access to a vast database of points of interest, including chargers, restaurants, and rest stops, as well as other amenities. This feature is particularly useful for long road trips, as it helps you find necessary services along your route. Moreover, the device allows you to customize your route planning experience by selecting from various route options, such as avoiding tolls or highways.
An imperative aspect of any route planning tool is navigation. Here are some key features that set ABRP apart:
- Live Traffic Updates: Get real-time traffic information to avoid congested roads.
- Automatic Rerouting: If traffic conditions change, the app will automatically adjust your route.
- Turn-by-Turn Directions: Clear, voice-guided instructions to ensure you stay on course.
- Points of Interest: Discover nearby restaurants, rest stops, and attractions along your route.
- OBD2 Functionality: Plug in an Onboard Diagnostics dongle for up to date state of charge.
This is the OBD2 Dongle I use in my Kia EV6.
Don't make the mistake I made with my first OBD2 dongle, which was downright flaky. It was cheap unit (about $50), which I later found wasn't on the official ABRP list, despite being recommended on several forums.
A Better Route Planner vs Plugshare Comparison
Now, let’s compare Plugshare with its competitor, ABRP. One of the main differences between the two is the number of charging stations available. Plugshare boasts many more stations, however, ABRP makes up for this with its more advanced route planning features, which take into account factors like traffic and road closures. ABRP can use an OBD2 dongle to get live data from many cars, allowing the app to more accurately measure and predict battery usage.
Plugshare’s larger charging station database and community-driven reviews give it an edge when looking for a charger nearby. On the other hand, its ABRP’s more advanced route planning features make it a better choice for those who prioritize efficient trip planning.
Plugshare can be slow to load at times, and its filter system can be overwhelming for new users. ABRP, on the other hand, has a more limited charging station database and can be prone to errors in its route planning.
When comparing ABRP to its competitor, you’ll notice that it falls a little short in terms of offline map support. While it does offer some offline capabilities, they are limited compared to Plugshare. ABRP’s real-time traffic updates and voice guidance features are more advanced than those found in Plugshare. Ultimately, the choice between these two products will depend on your specific needs and preferences.
If you prioritize having access to a vast network of charging stations and value the insights of fellow electric vehicle owners, Plugshare may be the better choice. However, if you’re looking for a more advanced route planning system and are willing to sacrifice some charging station options, ABRP may be the way to go.
Summary Comparison
Some of the key features that set PlugShare and A Better Route apart from each other are outlined in the table below:
| PlugShare | A Better Route |
|---|---|
| Large database of charging stations | Real-time traffic updates and route optimization |
| User reviews and ratings for charging stations | Customizable route planning with multiple stops |
| Filtering options for charging station types and amenities | Integration with OBD2 devices and apps |
| Available on desktop and mobile devices | Premium features available with subscription |
Differences Between Products
Between these two products, the most notable difference lies in their primary focus. PlugShare is geared towards finding and reviewing charging stations, while A Better Routeplanner is focused on route planning and navigation.
Comparison of these two products reveals that PlugShare is ideal for EV owners who need to find charging stations, while A Better Route Planner (ABRP)is better suited for those who prioritize efficient route planning. Additionally, PlugShare’s user reviews and ratings provide valuable insights into the quality of charging stations, which can be a major concern for EV owners. On the other hand, A Better Route’s premium features, such as customizable route planning, come at a cost, which may not be justified for casual users. The Plugshare premium version doesn’t seem to offer any additional features, other than removing ads.
Personally I like to use ABRP for overall planning, but when it comes to the pinch and I’m desperate to find a local charger, Plugshare is my choice. Plugshare can shine when ABRP can’t match the sheer number of chargers in the database. Plugshare can also be very useful to double check a charger is working, seeing recent check ins can be really reassuring. Having both apps installed and using them each for their strengths seems optimal to me.
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