Google Maps: navigation that actually understands your EV
Google Maps is already the navigation app of choice for millions of people. So the fact that Renault has built it directly into its openR link system – rather than relying on a phone mount and a Bluetooth connection – is a significant step forward in its own right. You get the full Google Maps experience on your car’s central screen, complete with real-time traffic updates, live rerouting if disruptions occur, and maps that are constantly refreshed so you’re never caught out by outdated information. Better still, Renault has properly integrated Google Maps into their cars, so it’s a much richer experience than simply using your phone.
Sign in with your Google Account and the experience becomes even more personal. Your saved addresses, search history and favourite places all transfer directly to the car’s screen, so you can pick up exactly where you left off on your phone. Better still, you can plan a route on your smartphone and send it straight to the car using the Google Maps ‘Send to Car’ feature – particularly handy when you’re heading somewhere new and want everything ready before you set off.
For EV drivers, though, the real headline is how Renault has made Google Maps feel native to its cars – so everything works seamlessly. This isn’t just sat-nav with a rough idea of your battery level – Renault has turned it into a genuinely joined-up system. Enter a destination that’s beyond your current range and your Renault will automatically add a charging stop to your route. It factors in traffic conditions, your real-time energy consumption, battery temperature and your preferences for charging speed to plot the most efficient journey possible.
There’s one feature that stands out above all others, though: battery preconditioning. When you set a fast charger as your destination, Renault’s system works with Google Maps to bring the battery up to its ideal temperature before you arrive. That means faster charging when you get there and less time spent waiting. Factor in the already-impressive electric range across the E-Tech electric lineup – up to 381 miles in Scenic – and you can see how this effortless approach to long journeys makes range anxiety a thing of the past. This intelligent, proactive thinking on Renault’s part makes a real difference to everyday EV ownership.