CoCharger: Shared EV Charging

I wasted 15 minutes from my life just to get my password reset for the login. Seriously 15 sec timeout to type in three passwords? If you are not fast enough timeout and you can start again. I managed to log in now but absolutely no idea how can I rent my charger.

Why does the app assume that a host would not need to charge at someone elses place. This scenario is far too common with EV owners travelling beyond their cars range and not wanting to charge the ev at a public charger that costs more than petrol!!

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.

Unlike every other EV charging app out there. There is no way to use this app without first giving this company every bit of your information. Including payment details. You can’t search or check prices. They need all of your data before you can decide if this app is for you. I got to the payment part and had enough. Have requested my details to be deleted.

If you sign up as a host you cannot book a charger yourself. For some reason this app only allows you to have one role so if you want book a charger yourself you cannot as you can’t see the map or any of the functionality if you are a host!! So I don’t even know if my charger is on the map! Haven’t received a single enquiry in about 3 months since signing up!

The co charger idea is a full on 5* concept. But the app needs work. Main issue was the ‘Active charge time’ was incorrectly calculated and displayed, so I gave it 3 stars. But this is now fixed according to the makers so have upped my review to 4 stars.

I have been a host for about a year now and I share my charger with a neighbour who has an EV as a taxi. We established a rhythm and understanding very quickly and work around each other’s charging needs pretty easily now. So an arrangement like this works well for both parties. We both know what we are doing and sessions are unsupervised. I have had a couple of uses where it has been used as a destination charger. Generally this requires more hand holding but that isn’t really the purpose of the application. As a local sharing platform it works really well.

I've received a response from this app developer who thinks providing built-in Apple functionality such as using iCloud passwords for login is unsecure and makes their app bloated! Just goes on to prove my rating!

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.

Love this company, love the ethos, love the helpful staff and love the easy app! Great way to earn some money and to help the EV revolution!