Does Ford's New EV Routing Make Android Better Than iPhone for Road Trips?

Ford has integrated a new Android Auto electric vehicle routing feature with Google Maps, giving F-150 Lightning and Mustang Mach-E owners with Android smartphones a significant advantage in planning long-distance trips, including exclusive battery preconditioning for faster charging.

For electric vehicle owners, planning a long journey involves more than just picking a destination. The need to find reliable charging stations and manage battery range adds a layer of complexity. A new feature developed by Ford and Google now simplifies this process for a specific group of drivers, potentially making Android phones the preferred device for Ford EV road trips.

How Does Ford's New EV Routing Feature Work?

The system integrates Google Maps navigation data directly with your Ford EV's real-time information, such as current battery charge level. When you enter a destination that requires one or more charging stops, the system automatically calculates an optimal route. This EV routing feature displays suggested charging stops directly on the vehicle's infotainment screen when your Android phone is connected via Android Auto. Drivers can see the estimated battery state of charge upon arrival at each stop and the final destination, along with the estimated time needed to charge at each plug. This seamless integration removes the guesswork from trip planning by providing a comprehensive, data-driven itinerary.

What Advantages Does Android Auto Have Over Apple CarPlay for Ford EVs?

Currently, Android phone users have a distinct functional advantage. When a programmed charging stop is a DC fast charger (a high-powered charger that can replenish a battery much faster than standard Level 2 chargers), the communication between Google Maps and the vehicle triggers battery preconditioning. This process automatically raises or lowers the battery's temperature to an ideal range before arrival. A preconditioned battery can accept a charge at a faster rate, significantly reducing the time spent at a charging station. While Apple Maps through Apple CarPlay offers similar route planning with charging stops, it does not yet support this battery preconditioning feature in Ford EVs. Furthermore, Ford's Android Auto integration now includes Tesla Superchargers, the largest DC fast-charging network in the U.S., whereas Apple Maps users must currently rely on a separate app to locate them.

How Can Ford EV Owners Access This Feature?

To use the new EV routing, F-150 Lightning and Mustang Mach-E owners need an Android smartphone. The feature is part of a recent software update. To activate it, you must:

1. Download the latest software update to your Ford vehicle.
2. Ensure your Android phone has the most current version of the Google Maps app.
3. Connect your phone to the vehicle using Android Auto.

Once these steps are completed, the enhanced routing will be available for your next journey.

Based on our assessment experience, the key to efficient EV travel is minimizing charging time. This new Android Auto feature directly addresses that by automating battery preconditioning, a critical step for rapid DC fast charging.