“Once we get the trial up and running, we will be able solve any teething issues and see where we might need to make changes based on user feedback to make sure things operate as smoothly as possible,” Ms Reynolds says.
“The app has to be aesthetically pleasing and user-centric to get good buy-in from owners and hosts so that’s the primary focus over the next few months. We will also be working on the legal side of our terms and conditions of service and on our user manual which outlines what’s expected of people using the app.”
Hosts will determine how much they want to charge their four-wheeled guests for a stay, but Ms Reynolds says she anticipates that rates will be competitive as more people sign up to the network. GoPlugable will make its money by charging a flat fee of 30 cent and 15 per cent of the value of every transaction. Reynolds estimates start-up costs to date, funded through grants and prize money from success in business start-up competitions, at about €30,000.
Not all EV-charging hardware is the same and to avoid people taking a stab at how much charging time they require and possibly booking and paying for more than they need, Ms Reynolds says the app will have an interface that lets EV owners input the details of their vehicle. Once they select their charging point, the app will tell them how long a charge will take with the hardware available.
GoPlugable is not the first company into the charger co-sharing space in this region. However, its hardware integration sets it apart as does its stringent attention to making the app a safe way for all parties to gain and share access. “To sum up I’d say GoPlugable is like Airbnb for EVs – you book, you pay, you get your charge,” Ms Reynolds says.