Google Maps update EV drivers

author: FutureCar Staff    

Google Maps has made a helpful update for electric vehicle (EV) drivers by prioritizing charging stations in its Categories menu. Previously, the app would recommend gas stations at the top of the menu, but now, if your car is set as an EV in the app settings, it will show charging points instead. This change is particularly useful for EV drivers who do not require gas.

The Categories menu in Google Maps allows users to search for nearby locations based on specific categories such as restaurants, groceries, coffee shops, gas stations, and charging points. When you select a category, the app will display and recommend several locations that fit the description.

While EV drivers typically plan their trips around charging station locations, there may be instances when they unexpectedly need to recharge their vehicles. In such cases, finding a charging point can be challenging, especially if you are unfamiliar with the area. With this update to the Categories menu, using Google Maps to find a charging point has become much easier.

In addition to indicating that you have an EV, you can also provide Google Maps with information about the type of charger your vehicle requires and the desired charge speed. This information will help the app refine its list of recommended charging options.

Currently, this change is only available in the Android Auto version of Google Maps. While you can still search for nearby charging points in the regular Maps app, the shortcut is more difficult to find regardless of your vehicle preferences.

This update follows a previous change to Google Maps in September, which allowed the app to provide personalized route recommendations for EV drivers. Similar to how the feature works for other vehicles, Google Maps analyzes data and suggests the most efficient route, which is marked with a green leaf symbol. Although the most efficient route is usually the fastest, there may be minimal time differences between the two options. Opting for the more efficient route can help reduce fuel consumption or charging requirements, potentially saving money in the long run.

However, Google Maps still faces challenges, particularly in competing with the in-vehicle navigation systems found in many EVs. These built-in systems have the advantage of knowing the car's status and can automatically update the route based on the remaining charge. This is a feature that Google Maps currently does not offer.

FutureCar Staff