EV Charging Station Finder – User Guide

Welcome to the EV Charging Station Finder! This interactive tool helps you locate electric vehicle charging stations in your area using OpenStreetMap data.

Here’s everything you need to know to make the most of this EV Charging Station Finder map tool.

Getting Started

1. When you first open the tool, you’ll see a map on the left side and a control panel on the right.
2. The map starts centered on Europe, but you can drag and zoom to your desired location.
3. Click anywhere on the map to begin searching for charging stations in that area.

Basic Features

Setting Your Search Area

• Use the “Search Radius” field to specify how far from your clicked point you want to search
• Choose between kilometres or miles using the “Units” dropdown
• The blue circle on the map shows your search area
• You can click different locations to search new areas

Understanding the Results

The charging stations are color-coded for easy identification:

• 🟢 Green markers: Fast charging stations (50+ kW)
• 🔵 Blue markers: Standard charging stations (20-49 kW)
• 🟡 Yellow markers: Slow charging stations (less than 20 kW)

Each station in the results list shows:

• Station name (if available)
• Distance from your clicked location
• Operator information (when available)
• Charging capacity in kilowatts (kW)
• Socket types
• Payment methods

Interactive Features

Map Interactions

• Click and drag to move the map
• Use the mouse wheel or + / – buttons to zoom in/out
• Click any marker to see station details
• The blue circle shows your search radius

Results List

• Stations are sorted by distance (closest first)
• Hover over any station in the list to highlight it on the map
• The popup will show detailed information about the station
• Scroll through the list to see all stations found

Exporting Data

1. After performing a search, the “Export GeoJSON” button becomes active
2. Click this button to download station data in GeoJSON format
3. The exported file includes all station details and can be used in other mapping applications

Tips for Best Results

1. Start with a Smaller Radius: Begin with a 5km radius and increase if needed. This helps prevent overwhelming the map with too many markers.
2. Zoom In for Accuracy: For dense urban areas, zoom in before clicking to ensure you’re searching exactly where you want.
3. Check Station Details: Always review the station details for:
   • Charging speed compatibility with your vehicle
   • Payment methods accepted
   • Socket types available
4. Multiple Searches: You can perform multiple searches by clicking different locations on the map. Each new search clears previous results.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter any issues:

1. No Results Found
   • Try increasing the search radius
   • Check if you’re searching in an area with OpenStreetMap coverage
   • Try a different location nearby
2. Slow Loading
   • Reduce the search radius in dense urban areas
   • Wait a few seconds for the results to load
   • Check your internet connection
3. Map Not Loading
   • Refresh the page
   • Check your internet connection
   • Ensure you’re using a modern web browser

Data Sources and Limitations

• Station data comes from OpenStreetMap contributors
• Information accuracy depends on community updates
• Some stations may have incomplete information
• Data is retrieved in real-time but may not reflect very recent changes

Privacy Note

This tool:

• Does not track your location
• Does not store your search history
• Does not require any personal information
• All searches are anonymous