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Does Google Maps Show EV Charging Stations?
Reading time 5 minutes
Categories Driving Tips » Electric Vehicles (EVs) »
We are hiring! Are you an experienced technician? Join our outstanding team »
Does Google Maps Show EV Charging Stations?
Reading time 5 minutes
Categories Driving Tips » Electric Vehicles (EVs) »
The growth in popularity of EVs (electric vehicles) over the last decade has been phenomenal. As more and more people switch to lower their impact on the environment, the greater the need for EV charging stations has become.
And that need is growing constantly, with 2023 showing record numbers of EVs on our roads here in the UK.
While some people can have the necessary technology set up at their homes, they’ll likely still want the option to recharge on a longer journey due to range limitations. Plus, there are those who will need to rely on a charging station if they live in a flat or don’t have a private driveway, much the same way that petrol car drivers can only rely on petrol stations. So, how do you find your nearest EV charging station?
In this day and age, the quickest way to find what you need nearby is through the use of a maps app on your smartphone or tablet (or even on a system built into your vehicle). One of the most popular and widely used map apps is Google Maps, which is why this month at The Windscreen Company, we’re going to find out if Google Maps shows EV charging stations.
The answer is yes, and it’s easy to find your nearest EV charging station on Google Maps by using the app. Here are the steps you need to take to find this information:
Once you’ve found a charging station that works for your type of EV, you should be able to click ‘directions’ to get the quickest route there. After that, you’ll also be able to quickly add the charging station to future routes when you click the three dots menu and select ‘add stop’. This makes it easy to charge up before any long journey or along your route.
As with most things on Google Maps, the location of charging stations is pretty accurate and reliable. You’ll get all the details you need, including how far away it is, how many charge points there are and even a user rating to help you make your decision.
The one thing to bear in mind, however, is that while these listings are mostly up to date, they are not specifically listed or managed by Google themselves. That means certain business listings may appear after they’ve closed down, while other, brand new businesses may not immediately show up. It also means the specific information on the type/number of charge points may vary in accuracy depending on who is maintaining the listing.
It’s always a good idea to check out your nearest handful of charging stations to assess them for yourself so that you know where they are and to confirm how reliable they’ll be when you need to charge.
Google Maps isn’t the only route planning application you can use of course. There are several others out there that compare favourably depending on what you’re looking for.
A Better Route Planner (ABRP) is a commonly used navigation tool as it comes free in its basic form. This app, if connected to the system within your EV, should automatically recommend a point at which you’ll need to charge along your drive.
Plugshare is another app regularly used by EV drivers, but instead of route planning, it’s only useful for locating EV charging points nearby. WattsUp operates similarly, highlighting places to charge as you drive but not showing your overall journey route.
Apple Maps is the other popular navigation tool people will be familiar with, but did you know that you can add an EV charging stop to your route, too? Under this option, you’ll be able to select ‘Charging Stations’, which will then reveal all the charging points along your route with details of how much time it will add to the journey.
If you own a hybrid or electric vehicle – or are thinking of making the switch, we’ve covered the topic in previous posts that you can go back to. Read more about the popularity of EVs here, and find out what the future holds for hydrogen stations here. Stay up to date with all the latest news on EV and hybrid vehicles on our specialist category page.
Here at The Windscreen Company, we want everyone to be safe while they’re out on the road. That’s why we offer electric and hybrid car windscreen repair and replacement services across the West Midlands and the South East. Our team of windscreen experts can be with you at home or by the roadside when you have a chipped or cracked windscreen on your EV. Simply call us today and book your appointment with our professional team.
The Windscreen Company, has over 20 years of experience in windscreen repair and replacement. Since 1998, they have been at the forefront of industry innovation, leveraging the latest technology to ensure customer safety and satisfaction.
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