Electric cars are great and all, but if you find yourself running out of power in the middle of a barren wasteland where charging stations are scarce, you may regret your decision to go green. But thankfully, a new partnership between Here and Hubject hopes to prevent electric car owners from being left high and dry.
Electric vehicle drivers who utilize Here-powered maps, navigation systems, or apps, will “be able to access real time information of all charging stations in the intercharge network.” By bringing Hubject’s information on charging station with the Here mapping system, the European firms say it will be easier than ever for customers to not only locate charging stations, but also determine if there’s a plug available for them to use.
According to a joint press release, the partnership includes “information on charging stations across all providers, e.g. address, connector type and power, along with dynamic data on occupancy and the availability of parking spaces in front of charging stations.” And given the ubiquity of Here (four out of every five vehicles with in-dash navigation systems in North America and Western Europe use the platform), this relationship could be a game changer for those with electric cars.
“We are delighted to welcome HERE as the market leader in mapping and navigation services to our network of partners. Both companies are committed to digitalizing mobility, and this is an ideal basis for further innovation” said Thomas Daiber, CEO of Hubject GmbH, in a statement.
Michael Bültmann, Managing Director of HERE Deutschland GmbH, echoed these sentiments, noting, “Maps and location are all about providing relevant information at the right place, time and context. By integrating information from Hubject about charging stations into our map, drivers of electric vehicles can plan their routes with more ease and confidence, being reassured to know about all charge facilities within their range.”
