Apple CarPlay: New feature calculates charging stops for e-cars

Apple wants to make life easier for e-car drivers with its in-house mapping system. Sophisticated route planning should be able to calculate intermediate stops for recharging the battery. Drivers should no longer have to worry about a suddenly empty battery. However, the practical feature is to be available only for Ford models for the time being.

Navigation systems are on the verge of extinction

In the wake of electromobility, cars are increasingly becoming computers on wheels. So it’s no surprise that they are now even optimally networked with our smartphones. For a long time now, this has included more than just playing music via Bluetooth. Services such as Apple CarPlay or Android Auto now enable optimum cooperation between smartphone and car. This makes many a driver of a new car wonder what actually happened to the classic navigation systems. The answer is simple: they hardly exist anymore. Google Maps and Apple Maps has driven classic devices that hung on the windshield by suction cup out of car interiors. The only way classic providers such as Tom Tom actually make money now is by selling collected satellite data or, ironically, with their own apps for Android and Apple.

New feature in Apple maps

The fact that smartphone apps are not only intended to get drivers to their destinations becomes clear with a new feature in Apple Maps. Here, the Californians now offer a very specific route planning specifically for drivers of an electric car. This not only calculates the route to the final destination, but also schedules stops for charging the vehicle. For this to work, however, the car must regularly supply the smartphone with information on the current charge level of the battery. The app should be able to pay attention to different parameters when calculating the charging stops. In addition to the battery charge, for example, the nature of the route and, of course, the corresponding speed limit also play a role.

Feature initially only in the E-Mustang

Drivers of an electric car who regularly cover longer distances know about the stress that can occur when the battery is suddenly “low.” That makes the feature that Apple now wants to launch sound all the more practical. But what happens when the car battery is about to run out? If this is the case, you should be able to reach a “nearest compatible charging station” with a simple voice or touch command. Compatibility still has to be defined in more detail in this case. It is clear that it is not yet possible to filter out specific providers from Apple Maps. However, it is conceivable that the tech company will deliver a corresponding option later.

The new functions in Apple Maps were introduced with the update to iOS 15.4, but many drivers of e-cars will not be able to benefit from the feature for the time being. After all, there is only one car manufacturer that has cooperated with Apple in this regard – Ford. But even in the ranks of the tradition-rich U.S. carmaker, there is only one model that supports Apple’s new map function. Only drivers of the Mustang Mach-E of the 2022 series can be sure to already have access to the new feature. Those with a 2021-series electric Mustang will first need to perform a software update. For the older Mach-Es, the appropriate update should come later this year.

BMW also expresses interest

Given the high practical value of Apple’s new feature for electric cars, it would be really surprising if no other automakers jumped on board. BMW, for its part, has apparently already expressed interest. At least, the tech company named the tradition-steeped automobile group from Bavaria as a partner alongside Ford. It is possible, however, that BMW currently lacks the appropriate software in its vehicles. However, a corresponding revision and the addition of other car manufacturers seems certain in our eyes.