Apple Maps Offers EV Routing To Compete With Google Maps And Waze

Apple has broadened the reach of its Electric Vehicle (EV) Routing feature in Apple Maps, a move seemingly calculated to keep pace with competitors Google Maps and Waze. The integration of EV routing in Apple Maps was initially announced at the 2020 Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), where Apple revealed it was partnering with Ford and BMW. Ford successfully incorporated this feature with the release of the Mustang Mach-E, while BMW, though announced as a launch partner, has yet to make this addition. Recently, Porsche disclosed that its Taycan model would also benefit from the feature, supplementing the vehicle's pre-existing Porsche routing software.

Porsche explained the inclusion of the EV routing feature in a press statement. "Each Taycan comes pre-fitted with the Porsche Charging Planner, a system designed to enhance journey efficiency by optimizing stops based on the estimated state of charge (SOC) upon arrival, traffic conditions, and average speed. However, the integration of Apple Maps EV Routing broadens the spectrum of choices for drivers, enabling them to customize their journeys more comprehensively."

Connecting a Taycan to an iPhone via CarPlay activates the Apple Maps feature, which tracks the vehicle's charge level and provides detailed navigation guidance for extended journeys. This includes the necessary charging stops, projected charging times, and an estimate of the charge level upon reaching the destination.

Apple Maps' EV Routing is based on several factors to evaluate the frequency and timing of charging stops. Considerations include charger availability, charging speed, topographical elevations, and driving speeds, among others. The system then strategically integrates charging stops into the route.

In circumstances where a vehicle's charge level dips precariously low, Apple Maps steps in with an alternative route to the nearest charging station. This consideration also extends to multi-stop navigation routes, a feature introduced in iOS 16. With the forthcoming WWDC 2023 and the anticipated release of iOS 17 only a fortnight away, there is speculation that further enhancements to this functionality could be on the horizon.