American multinational tech firm Apple officially launched a useful iPhone feature update to facilitate more convenient electric vehicle driving among owners, The Cool Down reports.
As part of the update, Apple’s iOS 17 update provides customers with real-time electric vehicle charging data this fall, September 23 to December 21.
Real-time EV charging data feature
Apple claimed that the iOS 17 update will enable electric vehicle owners and iPhone users to benefit from a “real-time charging station availability filtered by charging network, plug type, and more.”
Apple Maps will allow drivers to indicate their chosen charging networks. Then, it will display compatible charging solutions for their EV models, such as the nearest charging locations and the charging stall availability, 9to5 Mac noted.
“See real-time electric vehicle charging availability. Maps users with electric vehicles will be able to see real-time charging station availability filtered by charging network, plug type, and more, and users with compatible vehicles will be able to designate a preferred charging network.”
Apple
Previous development
According to TCD, Apple originally launched the iOS 14 EV routing technology in 2020 as the tech firm seeks to address the drivers’ driving range anxiety.
It allows drivers to monitor their cars’ state of charge while taking into account driving settings like weather and elevation to identify the ideal time for charging stops on their route.
However, the EV routing feature has only been accessible to Ford Mustang Mach-E and Porsche Taycan drivers, according to The Verge.
Finally, the arrival of the iOS 17 update will enable all EV owners to benefit from Apple Maps’ new charging station availability features.
Significance
These kinds of advancements indeed have the potential to address one of the top impediments to the widespread adoption of electric vehicles.
According to McKinsey & Company, the lack of charging infrastructures and their reliability remain among the most common concerns of potential customers in joining the e-mobility shift.
That said, Apple’s initiatives to launch this new feature in the Map will be a significant aid to its users who own battery-powered vehicles.
Apple Map’s new real-time EV charging data feature will substantially eliminate the need for drivers to spend time driving around just to locate available and working charging stalls. In effect, it reduces the prevalence of range anxiety among EV drivers.
