Google and Ford have teamed up on a major update to Android Auto for directions and finding charging stations for the automaker’s electric vehicles.
As announced on LinkedIn, Ford’s Anthony Phillips confirmed that an update is rolling out that will upgrade the Android Auto experience in the Ford EV. Specifically, these updates are designed with the Mustang Mach-E and Ford F-150 Lightning in mind (both vehicles have phone-based Android Auto, but run natively). does not include the new Android Automotive experience).
The first and biggest update concerns Android Auto’s display of your vehicle’s estimated battery level within Google Maps when you arrive at your destination. So, you can select a location on the map and see how much battery you have left when you arrive at that location. Google and Ford teased this in January, but it’s only now being rolled out. Google Maps already does this in vehicles with Android Automotive, but requires further integration to make this work through Android Auto. This works for all stops.
Additionally, Google Maps in Android Auto can now also show charging stations with NACS chargers. This includes a Tesla Supercharger station for Ford EVs, primarily with ports. This feature was added in Android Auto v12.9. 9to5Google Initially reported, Google has added support for EVs that use NACS (Tesla) charging plugs.
On the car side, these updates will allow the car to begin preconditioning the battery for charging while en route to the charging station. Therefore, just updating Android Auto on your phone is not enough. You should also check for software updates on your Ford vehicle.
Other upgrades include displaying a list of “nearby amenities” at charging stops and displaying the “minimum recommended fare” for a destination.
All of these updates are currently rolling out, and it stands to reason that many of these upgrades will be extended to other EVs in due course.
Android Auto details:
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