Key Points

• Electric vehicle owners can now view real-time charger availability for Tesla Superchargers in Google Maps.
• Google Maps shows how many chargers are at each location and how many are currently occupied.

It’s not just that EVs take longer to “fill up” than gas cars that makes public charging a comparatively onerous task. The fragmented nature of the public-charging ecosystem also complicates EV ownership. Imagine if the nozzles at BP stations only fit some cars, while other cars could only accept Shell, Marathon or Mobil nozzles, and you could only find those stations and pay for your gas through each brand’s dedicated app.

The headache of public charging has lessened as charging providers share more information with third-party apps and automakers. Now, the ecosystem takes another major step toward simplification with the integration of real-time Tesla Supercharger availability into Google Maps. While EV drivers could previously find Superchargers through Google Maps, this development means the app will also tell them how many chargers are at each location and how many are currently occupied.

Related: Reliability of Public EV Charging Infrastructure Improving, J.D. Power Finds

Tesla operates the nation’s largest DC fast-charging network, with more individual plugs than every other charging network combined. Electrify America, the second largest, also began providing the same data to Google Maps just last month. Between the two networks, drivers can now see the availability of some 40,000 DC fast chargers.

Google’s major navigation rival, Apple Maps, has been working on a similar initiative with EV Routing, which likewise incorporates real-time plug availability. This development is of little consequence to Tesla owners, as the brand’s native navigation system already had access to this data. But for owners of non-Tesla EVs — and Android devotees who would never stoop to using Apple Maps — seeking to enjoy their newfound access to Tesla’s Superchargers, doing so just got easier.

Read More About EV Charging:

• How Much Do Electric Car Charging Stations Cost?
• Subaru Solterra Drivers Can Now Use Tesla Superchargers
• Should I Buy an Electric Car or Plug-in Hybrid?
• How Can You Save on Your EV Purchase?
• Read More EV Charging News

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