Android Auto just made EV trip planning a lot smarter for these car brands

If you drive an electric vehicle, you’ve likely found yourself watching the dashboard, calculating your range, and hoping the next charger works. Google Maps on Android Auto has already helped with this, but starting this week, it’s getting much smarter for hundreds of thousands of drivers.

Google is launching AI-powered battery predictions for 16 car brands. This new system uses Google’s energy models along with real-time traffic, road elevation, and weather data.

Here’s how it works in practice. Start by adding your car’s make and model in the Google Maps app on your phone. After that, set your destination in the car, and Maps will show your expected battery use. You can enter your current charge level, and the app will suggest charging stops along your route. It also estimates your battery level when you arrive and updates your ETA to include charging time.

If you want to arrive with 80 percent battery instead of almost empty, you can set that preference. Maps will adjust your trip plan and add more charging stops if needed to meet your goal.

Brands with access to this feature include Audi, BMW, Chevrolet, FIAT, Genesis, Hyundai, Jaguar, Kia, Lexus, Lucid, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Porsche, Subaru, Toyota, and Volkswagen. This covers a large part of the EV market in the U.S. You’ll need Google Maps app version 25.44 or newer, and the feature only works with compatible EVs.

Keep in mind that while these predictions use detailed information like your car’s weight and battery size, they are only as accurate as the details you enter. This is not a live feed from your car, so Maps won’t update in real time based on your driving style or a direct connection to your vehicle.

Google says the rollout begins this week for hundreds of EV models from those brands, and more will be added soon.