Free App Unites 211K EV Chargers Across North America

Anyone who drives an electric vehicle knows the frustration: your phone becomes a graveyard of charging apps, each one required for a different network, each with its own account and payment system.

That headache just got a solution. Octopus Energy launched Octopus Charge this week, a free app that brings together 211,221 EV chargers from 24 networks into one simple platform for iOS and Android users.

The app includes major players like ChargePoint, EVgo, Shell Recharge, and bp pulse across North America. Drivers can search by location or ZIP code, check real-time charger availability, compare prices, and filter by charging speed or connector type.

Here's what makes it even better: Octopus isn't marking up the prices. The company passes through each network's standard rate without adding fees, and membership is completely free.

"Drivers shouldn't have to juggle multiple apps and accounts just to charge their cars," said Nick Chaset, CEO of Octopus Energy US. The app also includes an EV-specific route planner and shows nearby amenities while you charge.

The Ripple Effect

This isn't Octopus Energy's first rodeo. The UK company launched a similar platform called Electroverse in 2020, which now serves over 1 million charge points across 40 countries in Europe.

That success story is now crossing the Atlantic. While the North American version starts smaller, 211,000 chargers gives it serious reach from day one, covering most major highways and urban centers.

The timing couldn't be better. One of the biggest barriers to EV adoption isn't the cars themselves but the charging experience. When people worry about running out of power with no easy way to recharge, they stick with gas vehicles.

By simplifying the entire process into one app, one account, and one payment method, Octopus Charge removes that mental barrier. It makes the leap to electric feel less risky and more manageable for drivers still on the fence.

The road to widespread EV adoption just got a little smoother.