New Google Maps features to make finding an EV charger easier

Google has announced a number of updates to its Maps and Search services to make using an EV even easier.

The new measures aim to make it simpler to find the exact location of charging devices as well as provide more live information on chargers’ status. They will also make it easier to plan longer multi-stop trips with recommended charging stops.

Among the updates coming in the coming months are precise directions to hard-to-find chargers. While Google Maps is good at getting drivers to the basic location of devices, it sometimes falls down on the very last few metres, especially in tricky locations such as service stations or multistorey car parks. To address this, it will start offering AI-powered summaries that describe a charger’s specific location based on information from user reviews, so drivers can find exactly where to go.

Google is also adding real-time information on charging devices, so drivers on the move can identify nearby chargers and see whether they are in use or free. The service will also give information on the types of chargers available and their charging speeds.

Maps’ suggested charging function is also being expanded to cover multi-stop journeys. Using the vehicle’s battery status, the feature will be able to plot the best charging strategy across multiple destinations and stops on longer routes.

Several other EV services – such as ZapMap and A Better Route Planner – already offer detailed mapping and information functions but with vast numbers of drivers choosing to use Google Maps as their default navigation tool, the new services could make EV ownership even simpler for millions of motorists.

Google’s travel search feature has also be updated to let users filter searches for hotels with on-site destination charging, to help drivers plan stop-overs more easily.

The updates are being rolled out globally and will initially be applied to vehicles with Google built in – such as models from Polestar and Renault, which use the Android Automotive operating system.