Shopping For An EV? Google Adds Range, Charging Costs To Search Results

Google is adding more features for EV owners beyond charging stations listed on Google Maps. EV shoppers can now search for range, charging costs and other electric-specific features right from the Google search box.

The search engine giant announced Tuesday three new tools to compare different EV models (and similar gas-powered options) and better understand the-long term cost (or savings) with charging instead of gassing up.

EV Range Insights

From the Google search box, shoppers can look up an EV like the Chevy Bolt EUV or Volkswagen ID.4 and see any eligible federal tax credits, along with EV basics like range and cost. Much like Forbes Wheels’ own “Best Electric Cars” list, Google will display a comparison of EVs. 

Fuel Cost Calculator

Another search result for any all-electric vehicle will include an energy cost calculator using data from FuelEconomy.gov. Shoppers can plug in how many miles they drive in a year and see how much it should cost to charge for the year. It will compare the annual cost to a similar gas-powered vehicle. Take, for example, the all-electric VW ID.4 compared to the gas-powered Toyota RAV4 or other similar gas SUVs. 

Here are the best EVs for range and the most affordable EVs.  For every review we score every EV’s range, energy use and charging capability.

Battery Range Explorer

A final new tool shows more details on Google Maps about how far an EV can go on a single charge. It shows how much battery you’ll have upon arrival or how many stops you’ll need to take to recharge. It also shows how long it takes to charge and the fuel efficiency, MPGe. 

Within Google Maps you can also specify what type of vehicle you’re driving (gas, diesel, electric or hybrid) and it’ll find a route optimized for that fuel type.