Google Maps has made a significant change in its Android Auto phone connection feature for electric vehicle (EV) owners. When using the app, gas stations are no longer displayed as a category in the points of interest. Instead, charging stations are now prioritized and listed as the top item on the EV owner’s list.
This adjustment, although recently noticed by users, was actually announced and confirmed by Google in 2022. According to Google spokesperson, Pearl Xu, the change was made to provide users with the most relevant information during navigation. The feature has been available for vehicles with Google built-in software since 2020.
In addition to this shift, Google Maps offers a range of other EV-centric capabilities. These include information about charging port availability, filters for charging speeds and plug types, charging stops for trips, and the ability to find charging stations in search results.
While EV owners using Google built-in software or Google Maps for navigation have long had the option to hide gas stations, Google has now taken steps to enhance the user experience specifically for EV owners. This is particularly crucial given the growing number of EVs on the road, many of which come equipped with Google built-in software, such as the Polestar 2, Volvo XC40 Recharge, and the Cadillac Lyriq.
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