German technology supplier, Bosch has developed apps which allow users to quickly find electric vehicle charging stations and pay for their use. The apps are available both for iOS and Android operating systems.

Working together with various automakers, Bosch Software Innovations offers charging apps along with the backend infrastructure. The charging apps are currently available at no cost from Mercedes-Benz and smart, with Renault to follow soon. Around 3,700 public charging points in Germany are already accessible through the apps. The charging apps form a part of Bosch's global connectivity strategy.

As per the company, soon electric cars and their charging infrastructure will also be a part of the internet of things (IoT). “The connected electric car is the best electric car,” commented Dr Volkmar Denner, chairman of the board of management at Robert Bosch.

In addition to the technical implementation, which features services such as the inter-charge e-Roaming platform, Bosch has also signed contracts in advance with a host of charge point operators. This means that app users can conveniently use the displayed charging stations without the need for cash, and without having to resolve complex technical and contractual issues themselves before doing so. All they need is a one-time registration on PayPal account. Even the payment process is completed from within the app in a secure fashion.

Commenting on the new apps, Kai Weber, product manager at Bosch Software Innovations said, “With the charging apps, we are bringing the Internet of Things and electromobility together. To us this is the perfect combination, since we have been actively promoting new developments in both of these areas for several years now.”

The charge point operators are connected to the network via the intercharge eRoaming platform. An additional 700 charging points from Belectric Drive, EmiS, and E-Wald GmbH have recently been made accessible for use through the charging apps as a result.