For the first time you can see where to charge up while using the Waze app for driving directions.
The Google-owned navigation app added more features for electric car owners in the U.S. on Friday. Instead of just gas stations, you can now look up public charging stations along your route or nearby. This comes as more people buy EVs, carmakers add more electric options to lineups, and more charging stations are planned.
Credit: Waze
Waze is becoming increasingly EV-friendly as part of a partnership with Volkswagen, the German carmaker that released its first electric SUV, the ID.4, at the beginning of the year.
You can also change your car icon to an EV, perhaps to better reflect what you’re driving or wish you were driving. The VW ID.4 is now listed as one of the driver icons available (or you can keep the default arrow icon). Although Santa’s sleigh is reindeer-powered, the ID.4 is the only electric option on the list.
Google Maps, and other apps like Apple Maps, let you look up EV chargers nearby or at a particular destination. Google Maps includes more information about the charging stations, like how many plugs are available or working. In certain Volvo and Polestar electric cars, Google Maps is built into the infotainment system and includes trip planning with charging stops along your way.