In the United States, electric vehicle (EV) drivers still suffer from a big barrier in 2025, and that is not only finding EV chargers, but finding chargers that are currently available and currently functional. An announcement from a major EV charging network, now showing locations of chargers with real-time availability on Google Maps, may be the beginning of significant progress on this problem throughout the industry.
In early 2025, Google Maps surpassed 2.2 billion active users worldwide, reinforcing its position as the world’s most widely used navigation and location service. The platform’s daily active user base grew by 5.8% year-over-year, driven by rapid adoption in developing regions where smartphone penetration continues to climb.
In the United States, Google Maps remains deeply integrated into everyday life. More than 71% of smartphone users report relying on the app each week for navigation, local searches, and business discovery. Globally, over 40 million businesses are now listed on Google Maps, with nearly 1.2 million new listings added every month, highlighting its vital role in connecting consumers with local commerce.
Google Maps’ real-time traffic data now covers 99% of urban areas in North America and 85% of metro regions worldwide. This extensive coverage supports the platform’s 67% global market share among mobile navigation apps as of the first quarter of 2025.
Electrify America’s Real-Time EV Charging Availability is Now on Google Maps
Electrify America, one of the largest top five EV charging networks in the United States along with Blink, EVgo and ChargePoint, announced the integration of its real-time charger data into Google Maps, giving electric vehicle (EV) drivers instant access to live information about charger availability across its nationwide network. The announcement was made on the EA website on October 15, 2025.
The collaboration enhances Google’s existing real-time charger availability feature, helping EV drivers plan their routes more efficiently and confidently. With this integration, Electrify America’s listings on Google Maps now display detailed, up-to-the-minute information, including charger availability, connector type, charging speed, and operational status.
By offering these insights directly within the familiar Google Maps interface, drivers can make informed decisions without switching between apps. The result is a more seamless and reliable charging experience that supports the growing adoption of electric vehicles and the convenience EV drivers expect on the road.
“EV adoption is accelerating, and with it comes the expectation of a seamless charging experience, said Robert Barrosa, president and CEO of Electrify America. “By integrating real-time charging station data, we’re not just improving access, we’re empowering drivers with the confidence to go electric, knowing the information is right at their fingertips.”
EVinfo.net’s Take: Could Google and Apple Maps Be the Solutions to the Fragmented EV Charging Experience?
One of the biggest frustrations for electric vehicle (EV) drivers today is the fragmented nature of the charging landscape. With dozens of apps and networks, each requiring its own account, map, and payment system, finding a working, available charger can feel like a scavenger hunt. This fragmentation creates unnecessary barriers to EV adoption and undermines the convenience that electric mobility promises.
Drivers often juggle multiple apps just to plan a single trip or find an available charger nearby. Even when they locate one, availability data is not always accurate or updated in real time. The result is wasted time, frustration, and sometimes even range anxiety.
If all EV charging stations were fully integrated into Google Maps, and its main competitor Apple Maps, much of this complexity could disappear. Google already offers comprehensive location coverage, real-time traffic updates, and user reviews, all tools that make travel planning seamless. By aggregating live charging data across all networks, Google Maps and Apple Maps could become trusted platforms for EV navigation, showing charger status, speed, connector type, and pricing in one place.
As more networks like Electrify America begin sharing live data with Google Maps, the vision of a unified, accessible charging ecosystem comes closer to reality. For EV drivers, that could mean one map, one platform, and a much smoother journey toward an all-electric future.
