Waze: The app finally incorporates charging stations

By indicating both the locations of relevant charging stations along routes and user reports, the Wave app aims to improve life for electric car drivers.

Unlike a gas station, going to a charging station doesn’t necessarily guarantee a smooth charging experience. The latest charging barometer in France showed that 84% of points were available at any time, and only 77% for the fastest chargers (150 kW and above). This is the basis on which Waze is launching its new feature, following a failed attempt in August last year where only a minority of stations appeared.

Real-time status of charging stations

Participative navigation app owned by Google, Waze encourages users to share reports about traffic jams, accidents, police controls, etc. This real-time view now includes charging stations, a significant advantage for the hundreds of thousands of electric cars on French roads. The update begins today but will roll out gradually over several weeks. We checked this Wednesday noon, and the update was not yet active. This delay is particularly noticeable given that Google Maps already includes charging station information. Fortunately for both apps, their teams will now work together, according to TechCrunch.

The Waze app will thus indicate the most relevant charging stations, as well as updates from users. This is useful for reporting unavailability of a socket or if charging power is not as high as advertised. To provide real-time statuses, there will need to be an adaptation period and for users to update their app. The Renault Megane E-Tech, which uses Waze, will appreciate this new feature.

Finding your charging station: many alternatives

If a few years ago it was difficult to easily find a charging station, there are now no excuses. Not only have the numbers exceeded 90,000 in France, but the services providing station locations and availability are numerous. Unlike Waze, it’s possible to do this through your own car, as Tesla has long done, Volvo (via Google…), or recently on the Audi Q4 e-tron after an update. Dedicated apps like ChargeMap, Freshmile, or Ulys also help find stations along your route.

Also read: GPS and apps will have to suggest eco-friendly routes