Zap Map

About Zap Map

Zap-Map operates as a key data and service provider in the United Kingdom's electric vehicle (EV) market, positioning itself as a central platform for EV drivers. Founded in 2014 by Dr. Ben Lane and Melanie Shufflebotham, the company emerged from their previous venture, Next Green Car, after they identified a growing need for a dedicated EV charge point mapping service around 2012. Initially a feature on their existing website, a spreadsheet of 700 charge points mapped on Google Maps quickly became the most popular page, signaling a clear market demand and leading to the creation of the Zap-Map brand.

The company's primary offering is a mobile and desktop application that allows EV drivers to locate, navigate to, and check the real-time availability of charging stations across the UK and parts of Europe. The platform covers over 95% of public charge points in the UK, with a significant portion providing live status data. Key features for drivers include a route planner for long journeys and Zap-Pay, a single-app payment solution that works across multiple charging networks, simplifying the payment process. Additionally, the company fosters a community model through features like Zap-Home and Zap-Work, peer-to-peer networks allowing users to share their private charging points.

Zap-Map's business model is multifaceted, generating revenue from several streams. For individual users, it offers a freemium model, with a basic free app and a premium subscription service (Zapmap Premium) that provides enhanced features. For businesses, the company provides a suite of B2B services under the umbrella of 'Zapmap for Business'. These services include data insights and market analytics for charge point operators (CPOs), government bodies, and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to inform infrastructure planning and market strategy. The company also generates revenue through advertising, sponsorship opportunities on its app and newsletter, and API licensing (Zapmap Spark), allowing other businesses to integrate Zap-Map's data into their own digital products. Strategic partnerships, for example with fleet card provider Allstar, expand its reach into the commercial fleet market.

Financially, Zap-Map has secured significant investment to fuel its growth, including a Series A funding round that raised £9 million ($10.9M) from investors FLEETCOR and Good Energy. Good Energy, a 100% renewable energy company, was an early backer and later acquired Zap-Map, which now operates as a subsidiary. This funding supports team expansion and product development with an eye toward international growth.