Google Rolls Out EV Trip Planner in Maps for Android Auto

Google has begun rolling out an enhanced trip-planning feature for electric vehicle drivers in the United States, integrating battery predictions and charging recommendations into Google Maps on Android Auto. The update, launching this week, supports more than 350 EV models across 16 brands and aims to simplify long-distance travel by reducing concerns over range and recharging.

To access the features, EV owners must first add their vehicle's details, including make, model, year, and trim, through the Google Maps app on their Android device. This can be done by navigating to the profile settings and selecting the vehicles section. Once configured, drivers can input a destination via their car's Android Auto interface, where the app will estimate the trip's battery consumption based on the starting charge level.

The system generates a customized route that includes suggested charging stops, complete with estimated durations and post-charge battery levels. For instance, it might recommend a 22-minute stop at a specific station and project the resulting charge. Users can also specify a preferred battery percentage upon arrival, prompting the app to adjust the itinerary with...