Google Maps on Android Auto is getting more electric vehicle-friendly with a recent update. Previously, even on electric vehicles, Google Maps would prioritize showing gas stations in its Categories section on Android Auto. However, this has now been rectified. When using Google Maps on Android Auto in an electric vehicle, the Categories section will now display charging stations instead of gas stations.
This adjustment comes as part of Google’s efforts to cater to electric vehicle users. As reported by the German blog SmartDroid, Android Auto now allows you to manually enable EV-specific features in Google Maps. By enabling this setting, you’ll see a quick-access search category for nearby charging stations. This feature is particularly useful when you urgently need to find a charging station without the hassle of typing a query on your car’s screen or using Google Assistant.
For electric vehicles with Google’s built-in software, Maps integration is even better. Google’s software can access crucial details like your current charge level, enabling Maps to plan routes more effectively and prevent potential situations where your vehicle might run out of charge.
It’s not entirely clear whether the new charging station shortcut is a result of the latest Android Auto app version or a server-side update from Google. Regardless, you can update your app from the Google Play Store to try out the new feature. Additionally, the Android Auto 10 update introduces a new UI for Google Assistant, borrowing the glowing effect seen on Android phones.
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