Electric Vehicle Charging Station App

Abstract

The demand for electric vehicles (EVs) is increasing rapidly due to high fuel prices and rising environmental concerns. EVs are considered a better option compared to petrol and diesel vehicles because they help reduce pollution and harmful emissions. However, even with these advantages, EV users still face some difficulties in daily use. One of the main problems is finding nearby charging stations, especially in unknown areas. This situation leads to range anxiety, where users worry about their vehicle battery getting discharged without access to a charging point. To solve this issue, this project presents an Android-based mobile application that helps users locate EV charging stations easily. The main goal of the application is to provide a simple, fast, and easy-to-use platform for EV users. The app uses GPS to identify the user’s current location and shows nearby charging stations on a map. It also provides useful details such as station location and navigation support to help users reach the station without confusion. The application is developed using Android Studio, while Firebase is used as a cloud database for storing and managing data. Google Maps API is integrated to display maps and provide navigation. The design of the app is kept simple so that even new users can operate it without any technical knowledge. This system improves the overall experience of EV users by saving time and reducing effort in searching for charging stations. It also supports the adoption of electric vehicles by making charging facilities more accessible. In future, features like slot booking, online payment, and real- time updates can be added to enhance the system further.

Introduction

The text describes an Android-based EV Charging Station Locator system designed to help electric vehicle users easily find and access charging stations.

It begins by explaining the rise of electric vehicles due to environmental concerns and fuel costs, while highlighting key challenges such as the lack of widely available charging stations and difficulty in finding accurate, real-time information. These issues lead to inconvenience, time loss, and “range anxiety” for users.

To solve this, the proposed mobile application uses GPS and Google Maps API to show nearby charging stations based on the user’s location. It also provides navigation support, helping users reach stations easily and improving overall travel experience.

The literature review shows that although many apps exist for locating charging stations, most are limited in features, lack real-time updates, have complex interfaces, or do not provide complete station details. This creates a need for a more user-friendly, feature-rich solution.

The system architecture is divided into two roles:

• User side: registration/login, searching nearby stations, viewing details (availability, type, location), booking charging slots, and making payments
• Admin side: managing stations, updating slot availability, confirming bookings, and handling payments

The methodology follows a structured development process including requirement analysis, system design, Android app development, Firebase database integration, testing, and deployment.

Key technologies used include:

• Android Studio (Java/Kotlin) for app development
• Google Maps API for location and navigation
• Firebase for real-time database and authentication
• GPS for accurate location tracking
• XML for UI design

The system is divided into main modules such as user authentication, location and navigation, station search, slot booking, and payment processing.

Conclusion

This project provides a useful solution for EV users by helping them find nearby charging stations easily. The Android application allows users to locate stations, get directions, and access necessary information without difficulty. The system is designed to be simple and efficient, which helps in saving time and reducing effort. By improving access to charging infrastructure, the application also supports the growth of electric vehicles. In future, additional features such as booking, payment integration, and advanced functionalities can be added to improve the system further. Overall, this project contributes to smart and eco- friendly transportation.

References

[1] P. Jog et al., “Electric Vehicle Charging Station Infrastructure: A Review,” IEEE Conference, 2021. [2] M. M. Islam et al., “EV Charging Station Placement using Google Maps,” PLOS ONE, 2017. [3] P. Gound et al., “Smart Green EV Charging Station,” IJRASET, 2024. [4] S. Gulve et al., “Smart Management of EV Charging Station,” IJARIIE, 2024. [5] M. M. Islam et al., “Optimal EV Charging Station Planning,” IEEE Research.

Copyright

Copyright © 2026 Prof. Pooja Suryawanshi , Renuka Mhetre, Pranita Dwarke, Samiksha Tambat, Sayali Salunke. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.