Plugsurfing aims to regain former prominence with new app

Under the aegis of the US fuel card specialist Fleetcor, the charging network pioneer Plugsurfing aims to return to its former glory and has announced a relaunch with the new app. In the meantime, too little has been invested in the product, and the commitment of the Finnish energy company Fortum has been viewed more as a financial investment, admitted officials upon VM's inquiry during a press briefing. With the fuel card provider Fleetcor, there is now a long-term strategic interest, as they want to integrate the Plugsurfing app into their own portfolio, and this is simply a necessity in the course of the transformation, so the argument goes. The goal is to create the largest and best charging network once again.

The app not only appears in a new design but also offers new features, while being as simple as possible and less "technical" than competing products. For example, the facilitated registration allows users to indicate which type of charging plugs their vehicle needs from the first use. This way, only those public charging stations that have a compatible charging connection are shown during the search.

The filters for charging stations have also been refined: Users can now narrow their search by charging speed even more precisely than before. This makes it easier for both beginners and the experienced community to make more informed decisions when charging their electric cars daily. All Plugsurfing partners using the white-label app will also receive this update.

"Our pan-European network now includes 550,000 charging points in 27 countries. With the update of our app, we offer new features that help e-drivers find charging stations that suit their car, the desired charging power, and specific travel needs," explained William Gill, Chief Product Officer at Plugsurfing.

Drivers can now see when a location is expected to be very busy, ensuring they can find a free connection and optimize their charging experience. This also meets the increasing demands of e-drivers.