Google Maps will now show you if that nearby EV charging station is occupied

Electric vehicles are undoubtedly gaining steam as the vehicle of choice for many motorists, but one major downside is charging time. This means you might be caught waiting in line at a charging station during your journey.

Now, Google has announced that you can use Google Maps to check real-time availability of charging station ports in the U.S. and U.K. In other words, you don’t have to physically go to a station to see if there are any free ports. 

“Simply search for ‘ev charging stations’ to see up to date information from networks like Chargemaster, EVgo, SemaConnect and soon, Chargepoint,” Google wrote in a blog post announcing the feature.

Google Maps will also display other information alongside port availability, such as port types, charging speeds, and the business where the station is located. 

Google notes you can search for real-time EV charging port availability via Android, desktop, iOS, and Google Maps for Android Auto. Keen to grab this feature on your phone? Then update to the latest version of Google Maps via the button below.