Ford Will get Tesla-Like Charging Navigation with Assist from Google

By Imran Last updated Oct 31, 2024

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5 years in the past, there weren’t many good electrical automobile choices in the marketplace within the US. As we speak, there are dozens. You not have to purchase a Tesla to get an electrical automotive with good vary, really quick charging, and good tech and options at a good worth. You possibly can even now get non-Tesla EVs which have entry to the huge, tremendous dependable, and simple to make use of Tesla Supercharger community. Nonetheless, one of many huge benefits Tesla has retained, in my view, is a a lot superior navigation system for lengthy highway journeys that features nice integration of charging stops. Till now.

Ford has labored with Google to supply one thing that sounds precisely like what Tesla has in its navigation system. Right here’s what Anthony Phillips, Product Supervisor at Ford, wrote yesterday in a LinkedIn put up:

“We’re rolling out a software program replace to Ford F-150 Lightning and Mustang Mach-E electrical automobiles that permits EV routing for Google Maps by Android Auto, plus a few surprises.

“We first introduced at CES 2024 that this replace will present electrical automobile clients with an estimated battery degree upon arrival at a vacation spot, recommend charging stops alongside the way in which and even estimate how lengthy charging will take primarily based on reside info from the automobile.

“The replace additionally permits Android Auto clients to view appropriate Tesla Supercharger places to cost at with an adapter, whereas driving in a Ford electrical automobile and utilizing Google Maps. This consists of enroute preconditioning of the battery when navigating to a DC quick charger and with the ability to see obtainable chargers alongside the route.

“Our workforce noticed a possibility to offer clients with an end-to-end EV routing expertise in Google Maps, and we’re proud to work with Google to make it occur. To expertise this firsthand, drivers who’ve acquired the Ford software program replace ought to obtain the most recent model of Google Maps to their smartphone and pull up the app in Android Auto.

“Particular because of all who have been concerned: Sena Hermiz, Dyuti Chakravarthy, Erik Biberstein, James Graham, Manu Paul, Surendar Gupta, Sandeep Kumar Shaw, Adam Diehm, and lots of others!”

In fact, I’d have to check the system to see if this works in addition to Tesla’s system, nevertheless it’s the identical concept. Every little thing described above is how Tesla’s navigation system works, and it makes highway journeys far simpler than even in a gas-powered automotive. I as soon as drove a Tesla Mannequin S from Poland to Paris, and it was the best lengthy highway journey I’ve ever taken. We didn’t must assume or search for a spot to tug over and gasoline up in any respect. We simply needed to observe the navigation, which introduced us to charging stations as wanted. We usually stayed a bit of longer than we have been imagined to (from the fundamentals of utilizing the toilet, grabbing meals, getting espresso, stretching, and so on.), after which the automotive would simply modify the route as wanted to cost much less usually or to cost much less on the subsequent cease.

Anyway, it’s fantastic the Ford F-150 Lightning and Mustang Mach-E will now have an analogous function. I think about it can assist many Ford drivers vastly, and also will assist to stimulate extra EV gross sales.