Google partners with India's ElectricPe to bring EV charging stations to Google Maps

India-born Sundar Pichai-led Google has partnered with Bengaluru-based EV startup ElectricPe.

The partnership aims to integrate EV charging station information into Google Maps, providing users with real-time availability and status of EV charging points. The integration aims to reduce range anxiety among EV users by allowing them to plan their journeys better.

The development is part of Google’s broader strategy to introduce new features and improve user experience on Google Maps amidst growing competition from local alternatives like Ola Maps.

New features on Google Maps

The tech giant has unveiled several new features on Google Maps to cater to the specific needs of Indian users.

Among these are AI-driven routing capabilities to avoid narrow roads, flyover callouts for better navigation, and comprehensive information about EV charging stations.

These features are designed to make journeys more efficient and sustainable, emphasizing Google’s commitment to innovation and user convenience.

AI-driven routing and flyover callouts

Navigating narrow and congested roads in India can be challenging for four-wheeler drivers. To address this, Google Maps has developed an AI model tailored for Indian roads, which uses satellite imagery, Street View, and other data to estimate road widths.

This allows the app to suggest routes that avoid narrow roads without significantly increasing travel time.

Additionally, the new flyover callout feature will help users anticipate and prepare for upcoming flyovers, enhancing navigation for both four-wheelers and two-wheelers.

These features are being rolled out in multiple cities across India, including Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Chennai.

ElectriPe's presence

The partnership comes at a time when the EV market in India is poised for significant growth. Market research projects that India will have over 5 million public charging stations by 2030.

Founded in May 2021 by Avinash Sharma and Raghav Rohila, ElectricPe claims to have established a substantial network of over 25,000 public chargers in Bengaluru, making it the largest in the city. 

The startup aims to connect users with accessible charging points through its app, which also facilitates QR code scanning and payment for charging services.

Commenting on the collaboration, Avinash Sharma, Co-founder of ElectricPe, said, “This is one of the most significant and exciting milestones in India’s EV space. A partnership with Google aligns seamlessly with ElectricPe’s core values which is to make EV ownership easy and accessible. EV customers are seeking a single trusted platform that will help them not only discover charging stations but also seamlessly transact with them. Having visibility of these stations on Google Maps will only speed-up adoption in an already fast-growing space.”