Google is rolling out new features for electric vehicles with built-in Google Maps, the company said at its Live from Paris event on Wednesday.
The features, which were introduced in the Maps smartphone app in November, aim to alleviate the symptoms of range anxiety among EV drivers.
Drivers using Maps on their car’s screen can easily find nearby charging stations with chargers of 150 kilowatts or more for faster charging. In addition, for any trip that requires a stopover to charge an EV, Maps will suggest the best stopover based on factors such as current traffic, the charge level of the EV, and how much energy the EV expects to consume.
Maps on EVs also show when places like supermarkets have on-site charging stations. So motorists who enter “Supermarket” in the search bar will see that certain markets have a small charging station icon below the address and next to the market rating. EV drivers are often advised to top up their vehicles whenever they can to ensure long battery life and avoid driving with a low battery. So it’s helpful to know where they can do this while they’re shopping.
Google said all new EV features will roll out in the coming months. The new Maps features for EVs 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 cars built in with Google. Early this year, Google said it would roll out a new high-definition version of Maps for cars, starting with the Volvo EX90 and Polestar 3.
Google also unveiled updates to Maps on smartphones at the event, including the expansion of Live View and Indoor Live View, which use a phone’s camera and augmented reality elements to superimpose guidelines such as arrows and distance markers on top of the real world.