A saying I’ve heard is that once you drive an electric car, it’s hard to go back to a gas model. That’s very true in my experience. Gas vehicles are way noisier, require more maintenance, and can’t produce the same torque. Even the 2018 Nissan Leaf I leased in Texas was capable of out-accelerating gas-powered sports cars, if only when its Eco mode was off.
Both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are adapted to the EV world, but CarPlay does seem to be lagging behind slightly. The problem actually lies with the platform’s built-in navigation software, Apple Maps. I’m expecting Apple to play catch-up in the next few months — for now, though, Android Auto is briefly in the lead.
- Brand
-
Google
- SoC
-
Tensor G5
Android Auto’s lead in EV trip planning
More data, better driving
On the surface, the CarPlay/Apple Maps and Android Auto/Google Maps combos are largely equal when it comes to planning longer EV trips. In either, once you set a destination, you’ll get suggested charging stops based on your current and expected charge levels, with ETAs adjusted accordingly. This matters because while range and charger access are improving every year, a 20-minute stop is still considered “fast,” and you can’t guarantee a compatible station will be right around the corner when you need it.
Where Google is pulling ahead is its use of AI. When you connect Google Maps to Android Auto, it’s not just extracting battery data from your car. It’s also integrating Google’s data on the weight and battery sizes of over 350 EV models. Once you’ve identified the vehicle you’re driving, that data is analyzed against a multitude of factors, including not just traffic and available stations, but things like weather and elevation. Those last two items can have a major impact on range. Extreme heat or cold decreases it. Steep roads have a similar effect, but declines will actually extend mileage, especially with regenerative braking.
Apple actually does have similar data analysis going on. Google’s tech seems to be more consistently available, however, and that may make all the difference. You shouldn’t have to own a specific EV model to get a realistic appraisal of your trip itinerary. Apple’s estimates are conservative enough that you’re unlikely to end up stranded — but range anxiety is a real thing, and no one likes discovering that the leeway they thought they had is non-existent. Alternately, it could be that you’ve got enough range to reduce the number of stops you need, and you’re not being told so.
One of the ways I know CarPlay could do a better job is what’s coming with iOS 27, expected in September 2026. That will be the first version of iOS to support route sharing, allowing vehicles to directly supply station waypoints and battery estimates based on a route you’ve plugged into Apple Maps (or another navigation app). That might not be necessary with data similar to what Android Auto already includes.
This is ignoring Google’s greatest advantage: the sheer amount of data incorporated into every facet of Google Maps. The company’s AI models can factor in activity patterns at charging stations, and will even adjust voice guidance based on user reviews, helping you locate chargers that might otherwise be difficult to track down once you’re onsite. We could see those two things come to CarPlay thanks to Siri AI and Apple Intelligence — but it’s not officially in the cards yet.
Should you buy an Android phone for better EV driving?
A personal decision
Strictly speaking, you will get improved EV trip planning with Android Auto. But CarPlay is already good enough for most circumstances, and it’s only going to improve from here on in. If you’re already an iPhone owner, it’s likely not worth dropping $800 or more on the hope that you might better optimize your charging on long roadtrips. Within your native city, you won’t use this tech at all unless you literally can’t plug in at home.
Another elephant in the room is that with some EVs, it’s wiser to use their first-party navigation systems. These will automatically be optimized for the vehicle you’re driving and the charging tech you need, possibly even including station status. They can have interface quirks that make them more awkward to use, but if accuracy is the most important factor, only Google Maps comes close to challenging them. Indeed, some EVs (like Rivians) are based around that app already.
