SMART TECH FOR EVERYDAY LIFE
Between work, family, logistics, life admin and everything else, the mental load is real. And while the shift to electric is about sustainability, it's also about finding smarter ways to make everyday life a little easier.
So, we asked some of our favourite experts to share the AI, technology and apps they genuinely rely on - the ones that save time, reduce friction and help them feel more confident behind the wheel.
Explore their top picks and discover your next favourite piece of tech. Plus, subscribe to our newsletter at the bottom of the page to unlock an exclusive offer from Lease Electric.
I'm Gill Nowell, founder of Global Women in EV Day®, a global campaign celebrating the women driving the EV transition, and co-founding Director of EVA England, the independent voice representing electric vehicle drivers in England. I've been driving electric since 2012 and have spent over a decade championing cleaner transport and making the EV transition more accessible.
What smart tech makes your life easier?
It might be surprisingly low-tech, but my favourite feature is the range visualisation in my Kia e-Niro.
Rather than just showing the miles remaining, the navigation displays a green circle around the car, giving me a rough idea of everywhere I can comfortably reach on my current charge.
At a glance, I can see whether my destination is within range or if I’ll need to charge. I also love thinking, “Ooh, I could drive to Amsterdam on one charge!” - notwithstanding the wet bit in between.
After driving electric since 2012, I’ve learnt that confidence is everything. This simple visual cue takes away some of the mental load around range and lets me instantly see what’s possible.
For me, it’s reassuring and quietly brilliant. The best technology doesn’t have to be overly complicated or particularly clever – sometimes simple is most effective.
I'm Lee Bowtell, an EV Leasing Consultant at Lease Electric, a Gloucestershire-based leasing specialist helping more people make the switch to electric. After more than five years in the motor industry, I quickly developed a passion for EVs and knew I never wanted to go back to "dino juice".
What smart tech makes your life easier?
My favourite app is always the manufacturer's car app because it genuinely makes everyday life easier.
In winter, I have my car set to defrost before I leave for the gym, so there's no sitting in the freezing cold waiting for it to warm up - I simply leave the house and go. In summer, I cool the car down before I set off, so it's the perfect temperature when I get in.
My phone is even my key, so I can lock and unlock the car through the app without carrying a physical one. I can also check it's charging properly and see how much range I have left. It's one of those simple bits of tech that quietly takes care of the little things, so I don't have to.
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I'm Kate Tyrrell, Founder of NorthStar Studio, supporting EV organisations with strategy and marketing, and a presenter for Women Drive Electric, a community inspiring more women to embrace electric driving. I combine industry expertise with a passion for making electric mobility more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
What smart tech makes your life easier?
As someone who spends a huge amount of time driving and reviewing electric vehicles, the technology I appreciate most is intelligent route planning combined with AI voice assistance.
Modern systems can predict the most efficient route based on traffic, battery charge, weather and charging availability, then adapt in real time. Being able to ask the car to find the next rapid charger or navigate without taking my hands off the wheel makes every trip safer and less stressful.
I often pair this with Zapmap to cross-check charging locations, reliability and user feedback before longer journeys. Together, they remove much of the uncertainty around EV travel and quietly do the heavy lifting, so I can simply enjoy the drive. For me, that's when innovation genuinely improves everyday life.
I'm Sara Sloman, Director at The EV Café, a platform dedicated to bringing together the people, ideas and innovations driving the EV transition. From electric motorcycles right through to HGVs, I live and breathe the EV transition. From electric motorcycles right through to HGVs, I live and breathe the EV transition. After more than 20 years in sustainability, EV infrastructure and policy, I'm passionate about driving the shift to a zero-emission future.
What smart tech makes your life easier?
My absolute favourite in-car AI feature has to be the Tesla charging system. What makes it brilliant is that you never actually need to ask it to find a charger - it simply knows.
The system automatically plans charging stops along your route, prioritising Tesla Superchargers while also giving you the option to filter by charging speed. It even highlights suitable charging bays for larger vehicles, including those towing caravans or trailers.
As you approach a charging stop, the car automatically preconditions the battery to its optimum temperature, helping it charge much faster and reducing the time spent waiting around.
I drive around 20,000 miles a year and complete around 90% of my charging on the public network, so it's a feature I genuinely rely on. It quietly does the thinking for me, saving both time and hassle.
