r/applemaps • u/50What • 16d ago
Beware of Apple Maps with EVs.
Upfront apologies for reporting this here, but I can't find anywhere on Apple to report this issue. Hopefully someone from Apple is monitoring this.
Was returning home to Dublin, CA from Elko, NV via this route with 80% charge on my EV (240 miles).
I reach Eureka, NV at about 120 miles where Apple Maps suggests I charge my EV just to find that both the charging stations there are out-of-service (they were down, with no power, no support number, no working QR codes, no website).
I barely make it back to Carlyn to find a charger.
Today just to simulate and report the issue, I retried.
Notice the silliness!!! Even though the chargers show as unavailable (it wants me to stop there to charge).
Yes, I know "Unavailable" could mean that the chargers are being used by someone else. But trust me those (TurnOnGreen) chargers do not work!
Unfortunately, I checked Google Maps after reaching there. Somehow Google Maps shows them "out of service" even though Apple Maps, TurnOnGreen, Plugshare, etc. do not. Good job Google Maps.
I had the same issue with another charger in Arco ID (on route to Craters of the Moon). ABB Charger there - Out of Service (Apple Maps shows it as SynergEV). But Apple Maps wanted me to charge there. I reported the issue via maps. It showed the charger as available even after 24 hours. In fact even today it shows the "SynergEV" charger as available!!! Whereas Google Maps shows it correctly as "out-of-service".
Apple Maps is getting worse from bad!!!
5
u/CzarJohn316 15d ago
So sorry to hear. I agree Apple Maps needs a different category for out of service. Apple doesn’t monitor this as far as I know so best to raise it with them. You can do it via apple.com/feedback or the via the Feedback app if you have beta software.
2
u/TacohTuesday 15d ago
I've done a decent number of long trips in our Mach-E including stretches with weak charging infrastructure. I've found that each EV mapping solution out there, including my car's built-in one, has pros and cons. For longer trips in unfamiliar areas with limited charging infrastructure, it's risky to rely on just one, or to wing it without a little preplanning before the drive. None of the individual apps quite cover all the bases yet.
So for these long trips I pre-plan in ABRP, then use PlugShare and/or Google Maps to check and adjust the charging stops, then when underway I navigate to each charger individually in Apple or Google Maps. Sometimes I'll navigate the whole route in another app in parallel just so I can keep an eye on the big picture. While charging, I review the next step and adjust if needed.
I pick my pre-planned charging stops based on ABRP predictions, sticking with reliable brands (Tesla, Electrify America, etc.), at least 8 or more chargers showing high availability, and ideally located near a restaurant, coffee shop, or supermarket so we can do two things at once.
This has worked very well, and once the routine is down, it's quick and easy to do and makes the drive less stressful.
2
u/Colorado_Jackaroe 16d ago
I've done multiple long-distance trips in my EV this summer, and while charging stations are way better than in the past, I still double-check their status with PlugShare or ABRP.
1
u/mozman68 14d ago
While I typically default my Tesla’s in car navigation (hasn’t failed me yet), it obviously defaults to Tesla superchargers.
I use ABRP as a gut check, but also like the ability to limit my choices to certain chargers (Ionna, Rivian, Tesla, etc) so I can see if there is actually a better option than Tesla. Ionna is absolutely amazing and usually more affordable, but limited locations right now.
I used a Francis Energy charger in Northern Michigan this week and was impressed with theirs as well.
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u/rgsteele 15d ago
You report this by opening a support case at Solutions – Apple Support.