Summary
- Ford F-150 Lightning and Mustang Mach-E EVs can use Apple Maps on CarPlay to navigate to fast chargers with Tesla’s NACS plug
- iPhone running iOS 17 or later is required, charging network preference must be set to NACS fast charging operator
- Apple Maps on CarPlay will plan routes to destinations with charging stops and display estimated state of charge at each stop
- Ford worked with Apple to develop communications between EV and iPhone, battery level updates only when iPhone is connected through CarPlay
- En-route preconditioning is not available when using Apple Maps on CarPlay; Android users can use Google Maps on Android Auto for this feature
Article
Enhancing Ford EVs Navigation with Apple Maps and CarPlay
Ford passenger EVs now have the ability to access Tesla Supercharger routing through Apple Maps and CarPlay. CarPlay is able to pull the estimated remaining range from the EV’s brain and display it on the screen for added convenience. However, it is important to note that en-route preconditioning is currently not available when using Apple Maps on CarPlay.
Easy Navigation to Fast Chargers with Tesla’s NACS Plug
Ford F-150 Lightning and Mustang Mach-E owners in North America can now utilize Apple Maps on CarPlay to navigate to fast chargers that offer Tesla’s NACS plug. Owners do not need to update any software to make this feature possible, but an iPhone running iOS 17 and later is required. Drivers will need to set their charging network preference in the Apple Maps settings to a NACS fast charging operator, such as the Tesla Supercharger network, as a one-time setup process.
Convenient Route Planning and Range Estimates
After setting up the charging network preference, Apple Maps on CarPlay will plan a route to the destination while considering the appropriate charging stops along the way. It will also display the estimated state of charge level remaining at each charging stop and at the final destination. Ford collaborated with Apple to establish communication between the EV and iPhone, ensuring that the battery level updates only when an Apple device is connected through CarPlay.
Useful Warning for Charging Adapter
Apple Maps will now show a warning if a NACS to CCS adapter is needed at a specific charging station while using Ford EVs. This is important because Ford’s current EV models come with a CCS1 inlet from the factory, while the Tesla Superchargers mostly have NACS plugs. This means that even though Ford’s EVs can charge at select Superchargers in the US and Canada, a charging adapter is still required.
Limitations of En-Route Preconditioning
Although the addition of Tesla Supercharger routing through Apple Maps and CarPlay is a welcome improvement, there are limitations when it comes to en-route preconditioning. Neither the Mustang Mach-E nor the F-150 Lightning will precondition the battery for fast charging before arriving at a DC fast charger when using Apple Maps on CarPlay. This feature is available for Android smartphone owners using Google Maps on Android Auto, leaving iPhone users to rely on the car’s built-in navigation system for this functionality.
Factors Impacting En-Route Preconditioning
Ford has provided specific details on the factors that impact en-route preconditioning when using Apple CarPlay. This feature will not work if there is no active Connected Navigation Subscription, if the predicted battery level on arrival is less than 5%, or if the predicted driving range is less than 10 miles upon arrival. Overall, the integration of Tesla Supercharger routing with Apple Maps and CarPlay adds a new level of convenience for Ford EV owners, with certain limitations to keep in mind.
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