PlugShare is so frustrating
PlugShare is so frustrating ... they've got all the mindshare, but for me the site is rotten. The quality of the data stinks, at least in my neighborhood (metro Atlanta). They have false positives (listing for stations that aren't there) and false negatives (missing stations that ARE there). I'd contribute to the site and correct the entries, but they have one huge usability problem:
You can't link to a specific station.
That's an absolute requirement for a database like this, full stop. I want a URL to go to that describes a specific station, so I can email people about it, Facebook it, whatever. PlugShare implements everything as one big "#" javascript popup hack, and that means no linking to sites.
Instead, I have been swearing by CarStations.com for over a year now. They have much higher quality data, and you can link directly to specific stations, like the great one at Atlantic Station here in Atlanta. They don't bother with home/share stations, just public stations.
The one serious weakness of CarStations.com is that while they do have an Android app, it's very basic. Their iPhone app is the bees knees and loaded with features, I hear, but I have an Android phone, as do most smartphone users.
So, good for PlugShare releasing this report, and they're great for EV owners who want to share their home station, but if you want a better charging station database for real public stations, check out CarStations.com .
(Note: I don't work for them, just trying to promote a better system)