Google Maps is upgrading its features to provide electric vehicle (EV) drivers with specific information about EV chargers and planning tools for charging stops. Similar to Tesla’s navigation options, Google Maps will display suggested charging stops, forecasted energy consumption, and availability data for EV drivers planning their recharging. The updates will roll out globally, with cars with built-in Google receiving these features first through “Google Built-In,” the company’s driver-assistance software.
One of the new features available on mobile is artificial intelligence-powered summaries detailing a charger’s exact location, making it easier for drivers to locate chargers in complex spaces like multilevel parking lots. These summaries are based on millions of reviews posted in Google Maps by users, providing specific directions and information such as the type of plug used and charging time. The benefits of AI summarization include cost savings, improved accessibility to information, and more time to act on the information rather than sifting through it.
AI summarization by Google Maps will help solve problems for EV drivers, such as locating chargers in unfamiliar spaces, information about charger reliability, finding hotels with charging options, and planning for long trips. With the new details provided by AI-powered summaries, drivers can easily locate chargers, access up-to-date information about charging stations’ reliability from user reviews, and find hotels offering onsite EV charging. The upgraded Google Maps will suggest the best charging stops based on the battery’s charge level for multi-stop trips.
A good EV charging map should have clear and easy route planning, an easy-to-interpret purpose, accurate metadata, appealing symbols for clear reference points, and an effective organization of data. Color contrast, simple style, and non-overcrowded symbols are also essential for a high-quality charging station map. Despite certain factors that distinguish good charging maps from mediocre ones, many maps are still in the early stages of information gathering according to research conducted on charging station maps.
EV charging infrastructure is a critical topic for the transition to electric vehicles, and our latest CleanTechnica report, “The State and Promise of EV Charging Infrastructure,” addresses the progress, problems, and potential of EV charging infrastructure in the US, Europe, Australia, and other regions. The report includes results from a CleanTechnica survey on EV charging, offering valuable information on the current state of EV charging. As EV charging remains a key factor for EV owners and those considering going electric, the Google Maps EV charging upgrades are anticipated to make distance travel for EV drivers much easier.
In conclusion, the upgraded features on Google Maps offer valuable tools and information for EV drivers, including suggested charging stops, forecasted energy consumption, availability data, and AI-powered summaries of charger locations. These updates aim to address common problems EV drivers face, such as locating chargers in unfamiliar spaces, information about charger reliability, finding hotels with charging options, and planning for long trips. By leveraging AI technology and user reviews, Google Maps is making it easier for EV drivers to access accurate and up-to-date information about charging stations, ultimately supporting the transition to electric vehicles and promoting cleaner transportation options.
