- There are currently around 12,500 public charge points available in the UK
- Chargie's creators hope the site will more than double available charging points
- It allows users to rent charge points on other people's driveways
- If the service proves a success it could solve similar power problems worldwide
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Running out of juice on long journeys is one the downsides to owning an electric car, but a new website could make this a thing of the past.
Chargie allows people to rent out their charging sockets in a similar way to private property rental app Airbnb.
The service is currently in the testing phase but is due to officially launch later this month.
Chargie, a new website (pictured) officially launching on May 17, will allow people to rent out their electric vehicle charging sockets in a similar way to private property rental app Airbnb
Chargie was set up by partners Jan Stannard and Jeremy Coulter, who have just invested in their first electric vehicle (EV).
Even before their new BMW i3 arrived, they were concerned about the potential for domestic arguments over flat batteries and stress caused by planning for long trips to see friends.
This was added to when they found there were no charging stations near a planned holiday destination.
They envisaged a service which would allow fellow EV owners to share their electricity supplies for a modest fee.
The service is due to launch in the UK on May 16, but a number of charge point owners have already added their locations to the site's map.
The couple behind Chargie hope to create an app within the next three to four months to make the service even more user-friendly.
They believe it could help to expand the popularity of electric cars by making ownership more convenient.
And if the s ervice proves a success, it could be expanded worldwide.
Speaking to AutoCar magazine, Ms Stannard said: 'We would like it to make a material difference to people's EV experience.
'There needs to be the certainty of travelling to a destination with ample charging.
'Certainty that there will be a charger in working order without being occupied or blocked by a petrol car.
'The booking element of Chargie provides the certainty.'
Chargie is Jamaican patois for 'close friend' and its creators are hoping to build a community of EV owners who will support each other.
There are currently around 12,500 public charge points available in around 4,380 locations the UK. Chargie hope people will add their private charging socket to the site's map (pictured) and aim to at least double the number of charging points available
Charging up your car will typically cost users between £2 and £4 ($3 and $5), although charging point owners can set their own tariffs (stock image)
There are currently around 12,500 public charge points available in around 4,380 locations the UK, according to ZapMap.
Chargie hopes to more than double this number once the service takes off.
As with Airbnb, which provided the inspiration for the site, EV owners pre-book from a list of available private charging points.
And each party will be able to leave a review of their experiences.
Charging up your car will typically cost users between £2 and £4 ($3 and $5), although charging point owners can set their own tariffs.
Chargie will add a 10 per cent service fee for charger owners who top up elsewhere, or 20 per cent for people who just uses the service to charge their vehicles.
