Google Maps Work In Android Automotive EVs

We all already know how great Google Maps is, and probably use it all the time. But when it comes to driving an Electric Vehicle or an EV, Google Maps gets a whole lot better, actually. And way more useful too.

There’s a couple of things that Google Maps does when it is being used in an EV. Firstly, it will show you where EV chargers are, so you can easily get to one and recharge your vehicle. Secondly, it will also provide you with an estimate of the battery percentage when you get to your destination. So if you’re driving 30 minutes to work, Google Maps can estimate that your battery will be down to 70% by the time you get there.

Both of these features are great for curing range anxiety. Especially if you do not have a way to charge your EV at home. This is especially useful for those that have apartments and can’t install a charger for their car.

DC Fast Charging is what is going to be the future of electric vehicles. Being able to charge from 0-80% in about a half-hour to an hour, is a game-changer. So you’re going to want to find a DC Fast Charger that can charge your car as fast as your car can handle it. And Google Maps can help you out there as well.

On Google Maps, it will show you the connectors that are available. These are typically CCS and CHADeMO (which is used mostly by the Nissan Leaf and Mitsubishi Outlander). CCS is typically used by everything else that is not a Tesla, and offers fast charging up to 350kW.

The best way to condition the battery is to go from 20% to 80% and stick between that range. For DC fast charging, the speeds will very quickly fall off a cliff once you hit 80%. For instance, the Volvo XC40 Recharge will charge at up to 150kW (I usually saw it closer to 115kW), but once it hits 80%, it falls to around 30-50kW. And then once it hits 90% it gets even slower. This is to protect the battery’s life cycle.

When you start a trip that is going to be longer than the range of your vehicle, Google Maps is able to add in charging stations along your route. And it will tell you when to stop and how much you should charge. This is rather unique and also pretty cool. It also builds that time into your route so that the arrival time is pretty accurate still.

For instance, if you are driving 300 miles from Detroit to Chicago, but your vehicle can only go about 208 miles when it is full, Google Maps will add a charging stop on your route. Often times this will be at a rest stop, or very close to the highway. Google Maps will tell you how low your battery will likely be, and how much you should charge it to, before getting back on the road.