Chargeway debuts real-time pricing info for EV chargers

• Even people who take the plunge on an EV are not really sure how much it's going to cost to recharge, in part because electricity prices fluctuate throughout the day.

Driving the news: Chargeway, which developed an app to help people navigate the complexities of EV charging, is now adding real-time pricing information to its $5.99 premium monthly subscription.

• The pricing transparency, along with other features like information about charger speed and availability, will help drivers decide where, and when to charge, CEO Matt Teske tells Axios.
• "I will see my total cost of charging, and the time to charge, and then I can make a decision, should I go to the charger that's cheaper or the one that's faster? If the cheaper station is near my favorite restaurant, I will save $10 and put that toward my dinner."

Between the lines: While some charging networks once billed customers by the minute, most now base their prices on the total electricity dispensed.

Yes, but: The price per kilowatt-hour varies during the day, depending on demand.

• Prices tend to be highest in the late afternoon and early evening as people get home from work and school, turn on lights, use appliances and run air conditioners.
• With time-of-use pricing, utilities are trying to incentivize EV owners to charge at certain times of the day.
• Chargeway's software tracks that dynamic pricing for about half the public chargers in North America.

The bottom line: EV anxiety isn't just about finding chargers.

• Consumers also need to know which chargers work with their vehicle, how long it will take to "fill up" and how much it will cost.