# The Current Landscape of CarPlay for Electric Vehicles: A Call for Enhancement
In the past ten years, Apple CarPlay has established itself as a key feature in virtually all vehicle brands and models, with a considerable number of buyers emphasizing its necessity when acquiring a new vehicle. Apple has indicated that around 80% of individuals purchasing new cars require CarPlay as a feature before finalizing their decision. However, the scenario becomes more complicated when examining electric vehicles (EVs). While the majority of EVs are equipped with CarPlay, its effectiveness is considerably reduced because of insufficient EV routing support.
## EV Routing Support is Glaring
One of the most vexing elements of CarPlay for EV users is the lack of proper routing support tailored for electric vehicles. Although Apple has introduced features that could enhance the EV driving experience—such as factoring in the vehicle’s current charge level, automatically including charging stops for longer journeys, and offering battery percentage predictions at each stop—these features are not consistently available.
At present, the enhanced EV routing functionalities are limited to a select few vehicles, specifically:
– Porsche Taycan
– Ford F150 Lightning
– Ford Mustang Mach-E
This limited selection underscores a major shortcoming in CarPlay’s offerings for the overwhelming majority of EV users. Apple could significantly improve the CarPlay experience for EV drivers by broadening compatibility to encompass a more extensive range of models and manufacturers. Considering the growing number of EVs in circulation, this represents a lost chance for Apple to engage with an expanding market segment.
Ideally, Apple would forge partnerships with all EV manufacturers to facilitate automatic syncing of vehicle data with Apple Maps. This would permit real-time updates regarding range and charge status, thereby enriching the navigation experience for EV users. Nonetheless, even if such integration is complex, Apple could still implement a more manual option allowing users to enter their vehicle’s battery specifications and current charge level before starting their journey.
## Absent Features for EV Users
If Apple does widen its existing EV functionalities to more vehicles, several essential features would still be conspicuously lacking. A significant gap is the inability to initiate battery preconditioning via CarPlay. Battery preconditioning is crucial for maximizing charging efficiency, as it warms the battery prior to reaching a fast charger. While models like the Mustang Mach-E trigger this automatically when utilizing their integrated navigation, CarPlay currently does not support this feature. This is especially disappointing for users who observe that Android Auto users can access this capability through Google Maps.
Moreover, Apple Maps could greatly enhance its user experience by offering improved visibility of nearby charging stations and enabling users to filter options by cost or other characteristics. Presently, the absence of pricing details and the difficulty in browsing nearby chargers in a thorough manner diminish the effectiveness of Apple Maps for EV users.
Additionally, drivers have varying routing preferences. Some may choose longer routes to save money at more affordable charging stations, while others may prioritize swift travel. Apple Maps currently lacks the detailed route optimization features that competitors like A Better Route Planner (ABRP) provide.
## Conclusion
In summary, the CarPlay experience for electric vehicles is presently lacking, especially for the majority of EV owners who do not operate one of the three supported models. Apple possesses the opportunity to greatly enhance the EV driving experience by augmenting its CarPlay features and refining the integration of EV-specific functionalities. As the electric vehicle market continues to expand, it is crucial for Apple to adapt to the requirements of this evolving consumer demographic. By doing so, Apple can reinforce its standing as a pioneer in automotive technology and ensure that CarPlay remains an appealing feature for all vehicle purchasers, including those operating electric vehicles.
