Peer-to-peer EV charging means plugging in at a charger that belongs to a person or a small business — a home porch socket, a wedding hall's parking, a lodge's wallbox — instead of a public charging station. The owner (the host) earns money from a socket that would otherwise sit idle, and the driver gets a charge in places public networks don't reach yet.
Why it matters outside the big cities
Public fast chargers cluster along major highways and in metros. In Tier-2 and Tier-3 towns, temple towns and on hill roads, the nearest one can be an hour away. Yet nearly every house and hall already has wiring that can deliver a few kilowatts. A 60-minute session on a 16A socket adds about 3 kWh — often the difference between reaching the next town and not.
Peer-to-peer vs public charging
- Speed: public DC fast chargers are much faster. Private AC charging (3.3 kW from a 16A socket, 7.2 kW from a wallbox) suits longer stops — a meal, a temple visit, a wedding.
- Coverage: private spots can exist anywhere there's a socket and parking, including towns with no public charger at all.
- Trust: you're charging at someone's property, so verification, ratings and protected payment matter more than at a station.
How a NearPlug booking works
- Say Hi to NearPlug on WhatsApp. The first time, send your EV registration number — we check it against RTO records.
- Share your location. You see verified spots within 30 km, nearest first, with each host's rating.
- Pick a spot and a session. The host has 5 minutes to accept; if they can't, we suggest up to 3 nearby spots and ask them all at once — the first to accept gets your booking.
- Pay by UPI only after a host accepts. Then you get the exact address, gate instructions and a 4-digit start OTP.
- Plug in and give the host your OTP. The session timer starts when they enter it.
- After the session the host is paid, and you both rate each other.
What it costs
| Charger | Quick Boost · 60 min | Destination Pass · 5 hours |
|---|---|---|
| 16A Socket (3.3 kW) | ₹99 | ₹279 |
| AC Wallbox (7.2 kW) | ₹199 | ₹499 |
Sessions start at ₹99. If the power cuts out mid-session, tap “Report Power Cut” and you pay only for the minutes you charged.
Who it's for
Drivers on long trips through smaller towns, visitors parked for hours at a wedding or temple, and anyone whose own home has no charging point. And on the other side, anyone with a safe socket and parking who'd like a side income — see how to earn from your socket.