Photo: Google forums
Google has recently announced new-generation Google Maps capabilities that will allow the navigation app to be more deeply integrated into the vehicle, eventually collecting data via Android Auto.
The EV routing update is powered by a partnership between Google and Ford, so the feature will first launch in the Mustang Mach-E and the F-150 Lightning.
Google Maps will offer capabilities similar to the Apple Maps EV routing system, also available in Ford models and running on a connection between the smartphone and the head unit.
Google says the new features will land later this year, and Adam Diehm, Global Product Manager for EV Routing and Range at Ford, says the carmaker will enable them in supported models with an OTA update.
Diehm explains that the features will be available once drivers connect their smartphones to the head unit and enable Android Auto, with Google Maps in charge of navigation. Otherwise, Google Maps won't be able to access the EV data, such as when you run the app on the mobile device, without launching Android Auto.
The EV routing will allow Google Maps to read battery information through the Android Auto connection, so users will be provided with a battery on arrival estimate. It means you'll see how much battery is estimated to be left when you arrive at a destination where you're driving with Google Maps on the screen. The battery on arrival estimate is also available for the next stop if you configure Google Maps navigation with multiple stops.
Additionally, Google Maps will also offer an end-of-range indicator and automatically offer charging stops. With this latter feature, Google Maps will keep an eye on your battery range and automatically suggest a charging stop when the battery isn't enough to reach a destination.
When you configure navigation, Google Maps will also display a minimum recommended charge, so you'll know precisely if you can reach your destination with the current charge.
The new Google Maps routing feature will originally debut in the Mustang Mach-E and the F-150 Lightning, but no further specifics were shared at this point as to when Ford plans to begin shipping the OTA update.
Google Maps already offers similar capabilities, including the auto-suggested charging stops, in cars fitted with Android Automotive. Google's fully featured operating system has access to more vehicle data, so it can read the battery information too, eventually powering these capabilities without the need for a connection between the phone and the infotainment screen.
Meanwhile, if you want to get a taste of how Google Maps' EV routing works, you can try out these capabilities in Apple Maps. They are available in the same Ford models, as the latest updates enable them in the F-150 Lightning too.
Google Maps will offer capabilities similar to the Apple Maps EV routing system, also available in Ford models and running on a connection between the smartphone and the head unit.
Google says the new features will land later this year, and Adam Diehm, Global Product Manager for EV Routing and Range at Ford, says the carmaker will enable them in supported models with an OTA update.
Diehm explains that the features will be available once drivers connect their smartphones to the head unit and enable Android Auto, with Google Maps in charge of navigation. Otherwise, Google Maps won't be able to access the EV data, such as when you run the app on the mobile device, without launching Android Auto.
The EV routing will allow Google Maps to read battery information through the Android Auto connection, so users will be provided with a battery on arrival estimate. It means you'll see how much battery is estimated to be left when you arrive at a destination where you're driving with Google Maps on the screen. The battery on arrival estimate is also available for the next stop if you configure Google Maps navigation with multiple stops.
Additionally, Google Maps will also offer an end-of-range indicator and automatically offer charging stops. With this latter feature, Google Maps will keep an eye on your battery range and automatically suggest a charging stop when the battery isn't enough to reach a destination.
When you configure navigation, Google Maps will also display a minimum recommended charge, so you'll know precisely if you can reach your destination with the current charge.
The new Google Maps routing feature will originally debut in the Mustang Mach-E and the F-150 Lightning, but no further specifics were shared at this point as to when Ford plans to begin shipping the OTA update.
Google Maps already offers similar capabilities, including the auto-suggested charging stops, in cars fitted with Android Automotive. Google's fully featured operating system has access to more vehicle data, so it can read the battery information too, eventually powering these capabilities without the need for a connection between the phone and the infotainment screen.
Meanwhile, if you want to get a taste of how Google Maps' EV routing works, you can try out these capabilities in Apple Maps. They are available in the same Ford models, as the latest updates enable them in the F-150 Lightning too.
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