Owners of the Ford Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning electric vehicles are getting an over-the-air software update that will finally give Android Auto users a small upgrade. Once the update is installed and the app runs on an Android smartphone and is cast to Ford’s infotainment system via Android Auto, Ford’s EV will report the battery’s charge status to Google Maps.
This means Google Maps will calculate your estimated state of charge when you reach the end of your route and suggest charging spots along the way, including estimated charging times.
A similar feature for iOS users to cast Apple Maps to a Ford EV via CarPlay has been available since late last year, and it worked very well when we tried it on an F-150 Lightning in January.
Google hasn’t kept up with Apple in terms of adding new features and improvements to its system for casting a phone to a car’s infotainment, so perhaps it should focus on the operating system underlying its infotainment system. I guess that’s what he’s hoping for. Many OEMs have moved to using Android Automotive (confusingly named, but not the same as Android Auto) instead of Linux, and some are also using Google Automotive Services, which includes voice assistants.
Android Auto users will be able to take advantage of several features that aren’t yet available in Apple Maps. When you use Google Maps on your Android smartphone with Android Auto to set a fast charger as a destination, your Ford EV will tell your Ford EV to begin preconditioning your battery to charge more efficiently. Google Maps also shows users the location of compatible Tesla Superchargers and availability along their route. iPhone users, think so.
