A Journey Through Europe in an Electric Vehicle: Lessons Learned (Part one of three)

Part 1: Navigating the App Dilemma

Traveling through Europe in an electric vehicle (EV) is an exciting way to explore the continent, but it comes with its unique set of challenges. One significant hurdle I faced during my journey across Portugal, Spain, Italy, Austria, Germany, and France was the need for the right app for each charging station. Like the US by location, Europe frequently requires different applications and payment methods in each country and charging location, leading to frustration and inconvenience.

In Portugal and Spain, I often found myself struggling to download necessary apps due to poor signal strength due to a parking garage or remote charging location. Even when I managed to get the app, my non-European credit card was frequently rejected, adding to the frustration. Italy and Austria presented their own sets of apps, each with different user interfaces and requirements. At times, the apps themselves were buggy or unresponsive, making it even more challenging to charge my vehicle. Germany and France were no different, with each nation having its unique payment ecosystems, making it difficult to plan charging stops effectively.

The fragmented nature of the European charging network became a constant source of stress. Planning a trip with the charger mapping functionality (and suggested stops) through my car software should have been straightforward but was often complicated by the need to download and manage multiple apps once I arrived plus each location had its payment system and quirks. This experience highlighted the need for a more unified and user-friendly approach to EV charging across Europe.

Stay tuned for Part 2, where I’ll discuss my experiences with the Miio app and the Tesla Supercharger membership, and how they influenced my journey.