Articles on EVnSteven EV Charging App - Track Charging at Regular Outlets in your Strata, Condo, or Apartment

How We Offered 50 Languages

Sat, 31 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0000

This article was revised from an original version published on March 19, 2025.

A team of two

There were two of us, one website in English, and a world full of people who speak other languages. Hiring human translators for every page was never going to happen, so I went looking for another way to say hello to the world.

It All Started With the Smell of Gasoline

Sat, 31 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0000

It was August 2017, and I was sitting in a rented Tesla at a Supercharger in Sedona, Arizona, when I smelled gasoline.

It was 95 degrees outside, and we’d been sitting there forever. I didn’t yet understand that charging a battery from 80% to 100% could take so long, especially in extreme heat. The Tesla was struggling to keep its batteries cool.

EV Charging. Just 12 Cents.

Thu, 29 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0000

Four years ago, when we started building EVnSteven, I made a bet on the future of software. I’d been watching artificial intelligence develop for 30 years, and I knew it was only a matter of time before AI reduced the cost of software development by orders of magnitude. So we did something unusual. We priced our software for a future that hadn’t arrived yet. Just 12 cents per charging session.

The Same Map, Three Ways: SVG, Rust and Flutter

Wed, 28 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0000

EVnSteven has reached a comfortable place. The platform is stable and doesn’t need much maintenance, which is exactly what we wanted when we started: a small system that quietly keeps working. That leaves a little room to experiment, and it has left our founders time to start a few other projects, which you’ll find at the end.

The Infrastructure of Distrust

Mon, 26 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0000

When I started building EVnSteven, I approached the problem from first principles: how do we reduce the cost of EV charging to something approaching the actual cost of electricity?

To me, it’s absurd to pay $0.32 per kWh for electricity that costs $0.08. That’s a 300% markup.

What Charger Do You Actually Need? We Built a Calculator to Find Out

Fri, 23 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0000

Ask ten people what charger you need for your new EV and you’ll get ten confident answers.

“Get a 48-amp Level 2 charger. Don’t skimp.”

“Just use the wall outlet. That’s all I’ve ever needed.”

Six Electric Cars, One Circuit. But Who Pays for the Electricity?

Thu, 22 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0000

Recently, I had an interesting conversation with Ernesto Rois-Mendez, a Dallas, Texas-based inventor and founder of EVPowerRouter, a new approach to sharing EV charging infrastructure.

After more than three years of development, Ernesto recently launched a device that his company says is UL Listed as an industrial control panel and that allows up to six electric vehicles to share a single electrical circuit.

The Cost of Distrust

Wed, 21 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0000

Trust people first. Make honesty easy. Don’t punish an entire community because someone might cheat.

Imagine spending $10,000 on equipment to prevent someone from stealing $10 worth of electricity.

Absurd? Yet this is often how we approach shared EV charging in apartments and condominiums.

The charging station says, 'Well, there goes my job'

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0000

Most people won’t get the joke. Allow me to explain.

Lesson 1: Charging is usually steady. Level 1 and Level 2 charging usually use electricity at a steady rate.

Lesson 2: Time tells us how much. If we know that rate and how long the car charges, we can estimate the electricity used.

Three years later

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0000

After three years of development, EVnSteven has reached an important milestone.

It’s stable. It works. And it no longer needs as much of my attention.

That’s a good thing.

We’ll continue maintaining EVnSteven and supporting everyone who uses it. Our belief in simplicity, affordability, and trust hasn’t changed.

20,000 days

Sun, 04 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0000

I haven’t written in a while.

On September 16, my cat Saibo died.

He was 16.

He was with me through some of the hardest years of my life. He was there when I lost my mom and dad.

What if it's simpler?

Fri, 11 Sep 2026 05:00:00 +0000

Sometimes I wonder why EV charging always has to be so complicated.

The standard approach is hardware. Meters. Networks. More hardware.

But what if the electricity is already there? What if we just use the simple outlets and basic EV chargers?

How many electrical engineers does it take to charge a car?

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 05:00:00 +0000

How many electrical engineers does it take to charge a car?

Enough to turn a $500 outlet into a $20,000 project.

I love engineers. I studied engineering myself.

But sometimes we just make simple things too hard.

Less technology. More humanity.

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 05:00:00 +0000

Remember when we trusted people?

Not everything needed to be locked up, metered, or watched.

When the stakes are low, we can still do that.

Electricity is pretty inexpensive.

So why lock it up?

We Fixed the Docs. You're Welcome.

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

We rewrote the docs.

All of them. From scratch. Because the old ones were, honestly, not great.

The Quick Start, Vehicle Setup, Station Setup, Terms of Service Setup, and Video Tutorials pages are all clearer, friendlier, and actually useful now. If you gave up on one of those pages before, go back. It’s different.

We Rebuilt This in 50 Languages. Nobody Asked Us To.

Fri, 17 Jul 2026 05:00:00 +0000

Last night, a script ran for hours translating our entire website.

Again.

We did this last year. Then we changed half the site. Stale translations. So we ran the whole thing from scratch. All 50 languages.

Finding Our Tribe in a Sea of EV Drivers

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 05:00:00 +0000

We launched EVnSteven Notes. And if you’re reading this, you’re exactly the kind of person we built it for.

Here’s the honest version of why.

Millions of EV Drivers, Almost None of Them Are Ours

There are millions of EV drivers now, and the number keeps climbing. On the surface that sounds like great news for us. In reality, it’s complicated.

Why Is It Called EVnSteven?

Wed, 27 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Before EVnSteven, charging your EV from a shared outlet in your building meant one awkward problem: nobody knew who owed what. Installing dedicated metered hardware was expensive and out of reach for most buildings, so residents either avoided it, argued about it, or let it slide — which wasn’t fair to anyone.

Charge at Night, Save Money, Cut Emissions

Wed, 13 May 2026 05:00:00 +0000

Every evening, electricity demand spikes. People get home, turn on the stove, crank the heat or AC, and switch on the lights — all at once. In places where electricity comes mainly from coal or gas, that means firing up extra power plants to keep up, which pumps more pollution into the air. In some cities, EV adoption is already high enough that the evening charging rush is a real and growing strain on the grid — making the timing of when you charge more important than ever.

The Story of EVnSteven

Mon, 04 May 2026 05:00:00 +0000

A burning car. A dying mother. A strata council that accidentally banned its own charging station. And a chance encounter with someone who became a business partner and a close friend.

State of Apartment and Condo Charging in 2025

Fri, 23 May 2025 05:00:00 +0000

EV adoption is surging, but if you live in an apartment or condo, charging your car still sucks.

While single-family homeowners enjoy seamless home charging, millions of renters are stuck juggling extension cords, overpriced public chargers, and convoluted building politics. Q2 2025 has made one thing painfully clear: multifamily housing is still the Wild West of EV infrastructure.

The Value of Trust in EV Charging

Wed, 26 Feb 2025 05:00:00 +0000

Electric vehicle (EV) adoption is accelerating, increasing the demand for accessible and cost-effective charging solutions. While public charging networks continue to expand, many EV owners prefer the convenience of charging at home or in shared residential spaces. However, installing traditional metered charging stations can be costly and impractical in multi-unit dwellings. This is where trust-based community charging solutions, like EVnSteven, present an innovative and cost-effective alternative.

The Irony of Block Heater Outlets

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 05:00:00 +0000

Pick any parking lot in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Minnesota, North Dakota, Quebec, Alaska, Norway, Sweden, or Finland and you’ll notice something you won’t see in warmer parts of the world: electrical outlets on the posts between stalls. (We’re not suggesting you visit all of them. But respect if you do.) Those outlets were put there for one reason: block heaters.

Tenant’s Right to Charge

Tue, 12 Nov 2024 05:00:00 +0000

Is Charging an EV a Tenant’s Right?

One Ottawa tenant believes so, as his rent includes electricity.

There’s a straightforward solution to this dilemma, but it requires a certain mindset—one that may feel rare in tenant-landlord relationships. As EV ownership rises, simple adjustments could make charging convenient and affordable for tenants while protecting landlords from extra expenses. This approach demands a focus on one key value that can make all the difference.

EV Adoption in Pakistan

Thu, 07 Nov 2024 05:00:00 +0000

Our mobile app data analysis recently highlighted a strong interest in electric vehicle (EV) topics among our Pakistani users. In response, we’re exploring the latest developments in Pakistan’s EV landscape to keep our audience informed and engaged. As a Canadian company, we are excited to see the global interest in EVs and the progress being made in countries like Pakistan. Let’s explore the current state of EV adoption in Pakistan, including policy initiatives, infrastructure development, market dynamics, and challenges facing the sector.

Expanding Access with Translations

Wed, 06 Nov 2024 05:00:00 +0000

We want to start by saying we’re truly sorry if any of our translations don’t meet your expectations. At EVnSteven, we’re committed to making our content accessible to as many people as possible, which is why we’ve enabled translations in multiple languages. However, we know that AI-generated translations may not always capture every nuance accurately, and we apologize if any content feels off or unclear.

Adapting to JuiceBox's Exit

Sat, 05 Oct 2024 05:00:00 +0000

With JuiceBox recently leaving the North American market, property owners who relied on JuiceBox’s smart EV charging solutions might find themselves in a tough spot. JuiceBox, like many smart chargers, offers great features like power tracking, billing, and scheduling, making EV charging management easy — when everything is working smoothly. But these advanced features come with hidden costs that are worth considering.

How EVnSteven Works: It's Not Rocket Science

Sat, 05 Oct 2024 05:00:00 +0000

Calculating power costs for EV charging is easy — it’s just basic math! We assume the power level stays constant while charging, so we only need to know the start and end times of each session. This approach is simple and accurate enough based on our real-world tests. Our goal is to keep things fair, simple, and cost-effective for everyone — property owners, EV drivers, and the environment.

EVnSteven Podcast: Early Adopter Insights with Tom Yount

Tue, 17 Sep 2024 05:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the EVnSteven Podcast, we sit down with Tom Yount, a retired high school principal from San Diego, California, and one of the early adopters of the EVnSteven app. Tom shares his unique insights on why Level 1 charging is the ideal solution for most EV drivers and how he successfully implemented EVnSteven in his 6-unit HOA. Learn how the app helped solve the puzzle of EV charging in his community and discover why Tom believes this approach can work for others looking to simplify and optimize their EV charging experience.

Every Version Gets Better Like SpaceX's Raptor Engines

Wed, 04 Sep 2024 05:00:00 +0000

At EVnSteven, we’re deeply inspired by SpaceX’s engineers. We’re not pretending to be as amazing as they are, but we use their example as something to aim for. They’ve found incredible ways to improve their Raptor engines by deleting complexity and making them more powerful, reliable, and simple. We take a similar approach in our app development, always striving for that balance of performance and simplicity.

EVnSteven's Major Win: Included in Wake Tech's EVSE Technician Program

Tue, 03 Sep 2024 05:00:00 +0000

Being chosen for North Carolina’s Wake Tech Community College EVSE Technician Program is a major achievement for our small, Canadian, self-funded startup. It validates our vision of using existing infrastructure to create simple, cost-effective EV charging solutions.

EVnSteven Version 2.3.0, Release #43

Tue, 13 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0000

We’re thrilled to announce the release of Version 2.3.0, Release 43. This update brings several enhancements and new features, many of which are inspired by your feedback. Here’s what’s new:

Electrical Peak Shaving - Reducing CO2 Emissions with EVnSteven

Thu, 08 Aug 2024 05:00:00 +0000

Electrical peak shaving is a technique used to reduce the maximum power demand (or peak demand) on an electrical grid. This is accomplished by managing and controlling the load on the grid during periods of high demand, typically through various strategies such as:

EVnSteven Exploring OpenEVSE Integration

Wed, 07 Aug 2024 05:00:00 +0000

At EVnSteven, we are committed to expanding EV charging options for electric vehicle (EV) drivers, especially those residing in apartments or condos with limited charging infrastructure. Our app currently addresses the challenge of tracking and billing for EV charging at unmetered outlets. This service is vital for many EV drivers who rely on 20-amp (Level 1) outlets provided by their buildings. Financial, technical, and even political constraints often prevent the installation of more advanced charging options for this growing but important minority of EV drivers. Our solution enables users to estimate their electricity usage and reimburse their building management, ensuring a fair and equitable arrangement.

Innovative App Solves Dilemma

Fri, 02 Aug 2024 05:00:00 +0000

In the Lower Lonsdale area of North Vancouver, British Columbia, a property manager named Alex was responsible for several aging condo buildings, each bustling with diverse and dynamic residents. As electric vehicles (EVs) grew in popularity among these residents, Alex faced a unique challenge: the buildings weren’t designed for EV charging. Residents used standard electrical outlets in the parking areas for overnight trickle charging, which led to disputes over electricity consumption and strata fees due to the inability to track or estimate power use from these sessions.

Unexpected Effectiveness of L1

Fri, 02 Aug 2024 05:00:00 +0000

EV adoption continues to rise, with more drivers making the switch from traditional internal combustion engine vehicles to greener alternatives. While much attention is often given to the rapid development and installation of Level 2 (L2) and Level 3 (L3) charging stations, recent insights from the Canadian Electric Vehicle (EV) Group on Facebook suggest that Level 1 (L1) charging, which uses a standard 120V outlet, remains a surprisingly viable option for a majority of EV owners.

(Bee)EV Drivers and Opportunistic Charging

Fri, 02 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Electric Vehicle (EV) drivers are revolutionizing the way we think about transportation, sustainability, and energy use. Much like bees opportunistically collecting nectar from various flowers, EV drivers are adopting a flexible and dynamic approach to charging their vehicles. This new paradigm in mobility highlights the innovative strategies EV drivers use to ensure their vehicles are always ready for the road while maximizing convenience and efficiency.

Canadian Tire Offers Level 1 Stations: Vancouver EV Community Insights

Fri, 02 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Every challenge is an opportunity to innovate and improve. Recently, a Facebook post sparked a lively discussion about the practicalities and challenges of using standard electrical outlets for EV charging. While some users shared their concerns, others offered valuable insights and solutions. Here, we explore the key points raised and highlight how our community is turning obstacles into opportunities.

Is EVnSteven Right for You?

Fri, 02 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0000

As electric vehicles (EVs) become more popular, finding convenient and accessible charging options is crucial for many EV owners. Our service, inspired by the concept of “Even Steven,” aims to provide a balanced and fair solution for EV drivers living in multi-unit residential buildings (MURBs), condos, and apartments. To help streamline the process of identifying our perfect customer, we’ve created a simple flowchart. This guide will walk you through the flowchart and explain how it helps in pinpointing the ideal users of our service.

L1: The Unsung Hero

Fri, 02 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Picture this: You’ve just brought home your shiny new electric vehicle, a symbol of your commitment to a greener future. Excitement turns into anxiety as you hear a common myth repeated over and over: “You need a Level 2 charger, or else your EV life will be inconvenient and impractical.” But what if this wasn’t the whole truth? What if the humble Level 1 charger, often dismissed as impractical and useless, could actually meet the daily needs of many EV owners?