Google Maps makes it easier to find EV charging stations via plug type

By Trevor Mogg Published December 17, 2019

In a move that could save electric-car owners precious time each day, Google Maps has rolled out a new feature that lets you more easily confirm the plug types used at nearby charging stations.

Different models of electric vehicles (EVs) use different connectors, for example, BMW and Volkswagen EVs use CCS for fast charging, Nissan and Mitsubishi use CHAdeMO, and Tesla has its proprietary supercharger design. Spotted by Android Police, the new Google Maps feature adds a drop-down menu that appears when you begin a search for nearby charging stations. The menu lists all of the available connectors at nearby stations, and tapping on the connector that fits your vehicle quickly filters the results.

Recommended Videos

Google Maps added EV charger information earlier this year, but the new filter feature should help you to locate a suitable charging station even more quickly.

You’ll also find a new “Electric vehicle settings” option in Google Maps’ settings that lets you add the plug types that correspond with your vehicle so that you can see relevant results even more quickly.

Google Maps’ other handy EV-related feature is that it lets you know the real-time availability of nearby charging ports, which should help to reduce stress if you need to get somewhere and don’t want to be waiting around for a free port.

Of course, there are plenty of other apps out there that help you locate nearby charging stations according to connector type, but having the feature folded into a commonly used app like Google Maps should make it all the more convenient to use.

The new Maps functionality is available for EV drivers in the U.S. using Android and iPhone devices. We’ve reached out to Google to find out if the feature is available globally and we will update this article if we hear back.

Thinking of splashing out on your first electric car, or maybe replacing your current one with a new design? Digital Trends has looked at the current crop of available models and settled on some of the best designs. They include Tesla’s $100,000 Model S at the top end, and the more wallet-friendly Nissan Leaf, priced at $30,000, at the other. In between those price points you’ll also find offerings from BMW, Audi, and Chevrolet.

Contributing Editor

Not so many moons ago, Trevor moved from one tea-loving island nation that drives on the left (Britain) to another (Japan)…

Topics

Cars

Your next ‘cheap’ new EV isn’t coming – unless you buy used

Representative image of EVs charging

The global electric-car market is in a weird pricing flux. In Britain, Hyundai has opened orders for the Ioniq 3, a compact electric hatchback that starts at £22,245, or £18,495 after the country's £3,750 Electric Car Grant. The 61kWh version can travel up to 308 miles (WLTP range), while higher-end trims add features such as Matrix LED headlights and Hyundai's new Pleos Connect infotainment system, based on Android Automotive OS.

Cross the Atlantic, however, and that particular proposition disappears. Hyundai has no current plans to bring the Ioniq 3 to the U.S. Meanwhile, Cox Automotive put the average U.S. new-EV transaction price at $54,754 in August 2026. The gap is not simply about one car. It highlights a broader problem: while other markets are producing increasingly affordable electric cars, the U.S. still has remarkably few mainstream EVs around the 20,000-25,000 mark.

Cars

BMW’s new electric SUV coupe has 428 miles of range and offers impressively fast charging

BMW’s new iX4 can add 184 miles before your coffee gets cold

BMW iX4

BMW has officially revealed the iX4, and while the swooping coupe-SUV shape will probably get most of the attention, the numbers under the hood are what's really impressive. The BMW iX4 50 xDrive is rated for a preliminary maximum of 428 miles of EPA range, powered by a 112.2kWh usable battery and dual electric motors producing 463 horsepower.

The company claims it can sprint from 0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds. Just like the BMW iX5, the iX4 is a redesign of the brand's X4.

Cars

Rivian’s new Pet Cam lets you check on your dog right from your phone’s lock screen

The new feature combines the R2's interior camera with Pet Mode, giving you a quick way to make sure your pup is comfortable while you're away.

Rivian R2 Pet Cam

Leaving your dog in the car, even for a quick coffee run, always comes with a little worry. Is your pup okay? Rivian wants to put those worries to rest with its 2026.36 software update, which brings a new Pet Cam feature to the R2.

According to Rivian, over 60% of its owners bring their dogs along for the ride, so it's no surprise the company keeps adding pet-friendly features. Pet Mode already keeps the cabin cool and comfortable. Now, Pet Cam lets you actually see how your pet is doing.