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New EV route planner aims to banish range anxiety
Date: 21 August 2017 | Author: Daniel Puddicombe
Route optimisation software company Route Monkey has claimed its new electric-vehicle journey planning website has the potential to eliminate range anxiety.
Called MyRouteMonkey, the website plans journeys based on real-world range data and the locations of suitable charging points, with the firm saying it "removes motorists' concerns about running out of battery power".
The driver can input their start location, destination and vehicle into the website, with the software calculating a route "within seconds", while also providing instructions on when, where and how long to stop for in order to recharge the battery.
Route Monkey's software also allows motorists to specify how much battery life they want once they reach their destination, with the firm claiming this feature "ensures they don't get caught short before their next trip."
Two versions of the website are offered at the moment - a free version, which is aimed at EV drivers and allows motorists to plan ten journeys a day, and a version with "all the bells and whistles" that is aimed towards fleets.
A spokesman for the brand said the cost of the fleet version depends on what the client requires. "We create a bespoke product based on specific requirements," he told BusinessCar.
At present, the website can inform users when a charging point is in use using live data, but the spokesman added that a future update should allow drivers to see whether or not any charging points are broken or out of use.
The cost of building the website was partially funded by Scottish Enterprise, which provided a grant of £285,451 towards the project cost of £749,931.
Michael Cannon, head of innovation grants and open innovation at Scottish Enterprise said: "Route Monkey is creating an innovative product that meets a strong and growing customer need. With the help of our R&D grant, we're supporting this technology development to take place in Scotland and supporting Route Monkey to achieve its growth ambitions."
Colin Ferguson, managing director of Trakm8 group fleet optimisation added: "MyRouteMonkey builds on our award-winning work to help fleets make the switch to EVs. Thanks to the support of Scottish Enterprise, we are now exploring a range of global opportunities to commercialise this technology for fleets."
