NeedToCharge will be unplugging on 20 February 2026

After 8 years, the NeedToCharge app will be closing on 20 February 2026. This is a project I have been passionate about, as someone who is fully invested in the EV community.

When I first introduced the app in early 2018, EV ranges were typically much lower, with my own beloved BMW i3 offering around 100 miles of range, and the need to use public charging was much greater. The public charging network – certainly where I live – wasn’t up to much, with rapid charging stations being far more sparse and fewer chargers available at each location.

Today, with 300+ miles now being a typical range for many EVs and rapid charging far more prevalent, it feels like the right time to pull the plug.

A few stats before we go…

• NeedToCharge didn’t require people to sign up for an account, yet nearly 30,000 of you did
• People have used the app more than 60,500 times to request a charge
• More than 10,500 of those requests landed in the inbox of a NeedToCharge user

That’s 10,500+ times that together we were able to help each other out.

NeedToCharge has always been a free app, funded solely by myself, but supported by a great community who took it upon themselves to spread the word. I can never thank enough people such as Phil G, who invested their own time so freely to help others by producing NeedToCharge display discs for their cars at his own expense.

On a privacy note, I want to assure you that your data has always been safe, never sold or distributed, and will be purged immediately once the app closes in February.

Thank you all, and I look forward to continuing to be part of the EV community.

Chris