Google has announced updates to its Maps app, assisting electric vehicle drivers in locating EV charging stations. To achieve this goal, the company will heavily rely on artificial intelligence.
The updates include a feature to assist drivers in finding nearby chargers, offering real-time information on availability and charging speed.
AI Improves EV Owner Experience
Electric vehicle sales in the U.S. surged to 1.6 million units in 2023, reflecting a 60% rise from the previous year. However, one of the primary concerns among EV owners is the difficulty locating charging points.
But now, a feature of Google Maps provides AI-generated summaries that precisely find the charging location. It reduces the stress for drivers to locate chargers in hard-to-find places, such as multilevel parking lots.
Google Maps will ask users to provide information such as the success of their charging session or the type of plug they used. Leveraging this information, the company aims to offer more accurate descriptions of EV chargers for prospective customers.
The brand has previously used AI to enhance the experience for EV owners. Earlier, the company employed AI tools to support route planning and locating EV plugs.
Availability of Updated Feature
According to Google’s blog post, the company plans to introduce new features in the coming months. Users with “Google Built-in,” the company’s driver-assistance software, will have access to these features first.
Google plans to launch the updated features globally. However, the tech company will initially target the United States. The country has some of the most extensive EV infrastructure, especially in California and New York.
Moreover, you can use Google Travel’s EV filter for hotels, which allows you to select accommodations with on-site charging.
Notably, the automotive sector is gradually moving towards a future dominated by electric vehicles (EVs).
Conclusion
Among the top concerns for Americans considering electric vehicle ownership is locating a charging location. Furthermore, almost half of non-EV drivers believe that finding a charging location would be “extremely” or “very” challenging.
This factor remains a significant barrier to the widespread adoption of EVs and sales of electric vehicles.
But with Google Maps’ latest features, electric vehicle drivers will receive extra support while traveling.
