Google Maps update for electric vehicle drivers

author: FutureCar Staff    

Google Maps has made a helpful update for electric vehicle (EV) drivers who need to find a charging station. When using Google Maps in Android Auto to navigate, the app will no longer prioritize gas stations in the Categories menu if your car is set as an EV. Instead, it will display charging points as the top option, which is more useful for EV drivers.

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

While EV drivers usually plan their trips around charging station locations, there may be times when they unexpectedly need to recharge their vehicles. Finding a charging point in an unfamiliar area can be challenging. With this update to the Categories menu, it is now easier to use Google Maps and locate the necessary charging point.

In addition to specifying that you have an EV, you can also inform Google Maps about the type of charger your vehicle requires and the desired charge speed. This information will further refine the list of recommended charging options.

Currently, this change is only available in the Android Auto version of Google Maps. Although 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 in Google Maps from last September, which allows the app to provide personalized route recommendations for EV drivers to travel more efficiently. Similar to how the feature works for other vehicles, Google Maps analyzes data and suggests the route it believes will be most efficient, marked with a green leaf symbol.

Typically, the most efficient route is also the fastest, but in cases where it is not, the time difference between the two routes is often minimal. Choosing the more efficient (albeit slower) route can help reduce fuel or charge consumption, potentially saving money in the long run.

However, Google Maps still faces challenges 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. Currently, Google Maps does not offer this feature.

FutureCar Staff