THE SECRET WEAPON OF A MODERN EV IS ON YOUR PHONE

Mat Gallagher extols the virtues of the companion app

One of the most undersold features of electric cars is their companion apps. This is perhaps because it’s something that car reviewers don’t often get the opportunity to try. However, these apps can massively add to the experience of owning an EV.

I’ve been driving the new 2024 Jaguar I-Pace for the last month and during that time I was granted full access to the Jaguar Remote app. Having this access not only allows you to access vehicle features remotely but it gives you extra piece of mind as to the vehicle’s security.

The app provides a simple overview from the home screen. This includes the name you’ve given your vehicle, numberplate and mileage, as well as available range, security settings and status. The range is the feature I use most often on the app, as it allows me to quickly check how far I can go.

The security section tells you when the car is locked and alarmed. When clicked on though, the full security screen allows you to check that the boot, bonnet, windows and doors are closed and the car is fully locked and alarmed. This is particularly handy if you are parked overnight in an unfamiliar location, or somewhere you can’t easily see your car from your window.

Unfortunately, the Jaguar app doesn’t go as far as Tesla’s Sentry Mode, which includes a proximity alert and records any movements via the onboard cameras. However, it is still a reassuring feature to have onboard.

The Remote section connects you to the car and allows you to control various features. For instance, you can precondition your climate control, so that the car is the perfect temperature when you get in (without leaving it unlocked).

You can also get the car to beep and flash its lights, to help you find it in a busy car park. I’ve used this many times and it is far more effective than pressing the unlock button on your keyfob.

If you’re a bit of a motoring geek like me, you might also like the Journeys section of the app. This records every trip you make, including the start point and destination with timings and distance. You can get even more information such as a map of the route and various stats of the journey, including duration, average speed and energy consumption.

So while the benefits of an electric vehicle are often given in terms of how it drives and how much it costs to run, apps shouldn’t be underestimated. Especially in the case of the Jaguar I-Pace.