The UK firm Zap-Map has launched two peer-to-peer EV charging networks – Zap-Home and Zap-Work – designed to allow charging station owners to share their devices with other EV drivers.

According to Zap-Map surveys, almost 50% of EV drivers are willing to share their home chargers with other users. This means around 60,000 charge points could potentially be added to the Zap-Home network.

Points on the Zap-Home network will be displayed on Zap-Map, but only registered users will see contact details. Those wishing to use a Zap-Home point can then contact the unit owner directly to arrange a charge.

Zap-Home gives charge station owners the possibility of earning income – having registered their charge point on Zap-Home, owners can charge a fee if they wish, collecting from users via PayPal.

Zap-Work is a similar network aimed at small business owners. Zap-Work locations have the potential to provide regular charging options to EV owners that don’t have access to off-street parking. Workplace charge point owners could recover the costs of installation faster by charging non-company users for the amount of electricity used.

“Of our 60,000 monthly userbase, we know that around half are willing to share their home point with other Zap-Map users,” said Zap-Map CTO Dr. Ben Lane. “Businesses are particularly proactive, with 5% of workplace charging points already being shared, either for employee use or as part of improving customer service.”

COO Director Melanie Shufflebotham added, “Zap-Home and Zap-Work complement the UK’s rapidly expanding public EV charging infrastructure. Zap-Map will continue to innovate in 2018 with new product features, more dynamic data partners, and additional buying tools to help drivers make the transition to EVs.”

Source: Zap-Map via Green Car Congress