Google is rolling out new features for electric vehicles with built-in Google Maps, the company announced at its Live from Paris event on Wednesday.
The features, iterations of which were introduced in November in the Maps smartphone app, aim to alleviate symptoms of range anxiety for electric vehicle drivers.
Drivers using Maps on their car’s display screen will be able to easily find nearby charging stations with chargers of 150 kilowatts or more for faster charging. Additionally, for any trip that requires a stop to recharge an EV, Maps will suggest the best stop based on factors such as current traffic, EV charge level, and how much power it expects the VE consumes.
Maps on electric vehicles will also indicate when places like supermarkets have on-site charging stations. So drivers who type “Supermarket” into the search bar will find that some markets include a small charging station icon below the address and next to the market note. EV drivers are often advised to keep charging their vehicles whenever they can to ensure long battery life and avoid driving with a weak battery, so it will be helpful to know where they can do so when shopping.
Google said all new features for electric vehicles will start rolling out in the coming months. The new Maps features for electric vehicles come three months after Google added filters to the smartphone app for fast charging stations and EV plug compatibility.
Polestar, Volvo, General Motors, and Renault are among the automakers that have vehicles with Google built-in. Earlier this year, Google announced it would be rolling out a new high-definition version of Maps for cars, starting with the Volvo EX90 and Polestar 3.
Google also revealed updates to Maps on smartphones during the event, including expanding Live View and Indoor Live View, which uses a phone’s camera and augmented reality elements to overlay images. guidelines such as arrows and distance markers above the real world.
