How to Get the Most Out of EV Features in Google Maps

With precise navigation and increased flexibility when planning long road trips, Google Maps’ new features for EVs should make planning your next trip much more convenient.

At the very least, you won’t worry about running out of charge!

1 Know How Many Charging Stations Are Free for Use

Electric vehicles have increased greatly in popularity since the first one rolled out of the factory, and so have their numbers. So much so, in fact, that they far outnumber the charging stations built for them.

If you’re not sure whether a particular charging station has charging ports free or in use, you can now find out before you travel there. Just look up a charging station directly to see how many charging bays are open.

It’s best to have this information before you plan your route to the closest charging station because they might be in use for a while.

2 Know the Power Capacity of Charging Stations

The higher the power output of an EV charging station, the faster you can charge your car. So, when searching for a bay to plug into, make sure you’re looking at the power capacity, too.

Just tap a particular option from the available charging stations on the map to take a look at the capacity that it offers.

Be wary, though, of using a station that is over-powered for your car, because DC fast-charging can affect your EV’s battery.

3 Choose Charging Stations That Suit Your EV

Now that electric vehicles have caught on, there is more diversity than before. It’s not just a number of auto-makers and battery types we are seeing; this diversity is also found in the plug design used for charging an electric car.

There’s no use getting to a charging station only to find that it doesn’t have the right kind of charger for your model. But you can choose the plug type your EV uses in Google Maps to filter out those stations that aren’t helpful.

1. When looking for a charging station on Google Maps, click on the Any plugs option toward the top-right.
2. Click on the Add plugs button.
3. Choose the plug that fits into your EV from the list. You’ll see just those stations offering that specific plug type.

4 Find Exactly Where a Charging Station Is Located

It’s not always easy to find a charging station, even if you’ve narrowed down its general location. EV charging stations often have their own designated areas in parking lots and multi-level parking garages, making them difficult to locate precisely.

Google Maps will use AI to help in this regard. It will scour millions of user reviews to give you exact directions to a charging station.

The AI built into Google Maps might even encourage you to provide more information about your experience, including the type of plug you used and your wait time, so that this may benefit others looking for a spot to charge their cars.

5 See Nearby Charging Stations When Your Battery Is Low

If you have Google built into your EV, you might be surprised to see nearby charging stations showing up on the in-car map. This is perfect for when your battery is running low, and you need to quickly pick the closest charger to top up.

This in-map intel will also provide details in real-time on the number of ports available and their charging speed. Based on location and power, pick the station that suits your charging needs.

Driving on a battery that’s close to running out is not a good position to be in. Extend your EV’s battery life by taking care of it properly.

6 Plan Your Stops on a Road Trip

Planning a long road trip with an electric vehicle can get complicated. Their limited range and lengthy charging times (compared with gas-powered cars) mean stops can be more frequent and longer, a challenge that may lead to a return to less eco-friendly options.

But if you have Google built-in, this should be much simpler. Plan a multi-stop trip, and Maps will suggest the best charging locations based on your battery level. Use this information in conjunction with the EV filter on Google Travel to find hotels with on-site EV charging.

Another way to get the most out of a long road trip is to get yourself a few excellent EV apps to plan your route.

If you have an EV, be sure to use all Google Maps’ resources at your disposal to plan long trips and find the right charging station when your car is almost out of juice. Your time on the road just got a little easier.