Recently, I tackled a problem that many electric vehicle owners face: finding available public charging stations while driving. I wanted a solution that would notify me in advance, so I wouldn’t have to pull over and check my phone every time I needed to charge. With the help of ChatGPT, I created a HomeyScript that sends notifications about available charging stations directly to my phone. These notifications play through Android Auto while I’m driving, making it incredibly convenient to know where to go next. 
Example of the notification within Android Auto.1920×1086 113 KB
To achieve this, I used the following tools:
- TomTom EV Service to track charging stations
- HomeyScript for automation
- Android Auto for notifications
- Tasker and AutoLocation for location-based triggers
- OpenWeather (optional) to factor in weather conditions
The script queries the TomTom API to check which charging stations are available and sends a notification with up to three nearby options. If it’s raining, it skips the farther stations, which is a nice touch for comfort. The setup also ensures notifications only come through when I’m in the car, using Bluetooth and geofencing to trigger the script.
This solution has been a game-changer for me, saving time and reducing stress during long drives. I’d love to hear if anyone else has tackled similar challenges or has tips for improving this setup further!