Google Maps Introduces New Transit, EV Features

It will now be easier to find electric car charging stations and transit options.

1 minute read

April 19, 2024, 8:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Young woman and man seated on subway car looking at phones.

JackF / Adobe Stock

New features on Google Maps will make it easier to find electric car charging stations and public transit information, reports Chris Smith in BGR.

As Smith explains, Google Maps will start including transit options by default along with driving directions in some cities. “If you prefer public transit over other alternatives, you’ll also love another feature Google just launched for Google Search. You can perform searches along the lines of ‘Boston to Philadelphia train,’ and you’ll get schedules and ticket prices, complete with links to the relevant booking options. The feature will also support searches for buses.”

For electric car drivers, Google Maps will collect user-generated data to find the nearest EV charging locations, and, in some cases, real-time port availability.

Wednesday, April 17, 2024 in BGR

courses user

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges. Corey D, Transportation Planner

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges.

Corey D, Transportation Planner

Ready to give your planning career a boost?

Commercial street in small rural U.S. town with storefronts and clocktower.

Progressive Planning in Ideologically Conservative Communities

Planners must work in diverse political environments including conservative jurisdictions that are skeptical of new issues and perspectives. Here are ways to reconcile conflicting goals.

November 7, 2024 - Todd Litman

Amtrak Coast Starlight passenger train passing over bridge in Altamont Pass, California.

Amtrak Expanding Service in California’s Central Valley

Amtrak is planning a major expansion to the passenger rail lines connecting the Central Valley and the Bay Area.

November 4, 2024 - The Modesto Bee

Overhead view of white Waymo self-driving car in San Francisco, California with shared bikes and scooters visible on adjacent sidewalk.

Robotaxis Wreak Havoc on Urban Transit

In cities across the United States, robotaxis, championed by companies like Waymo and Cruise, are a marvel of modern technology and a flashpoint for debate over their place in urban transit.

November 11, 2024 - Cities of the Future

Busy subway station with people walking on platform and train stopped.

How Good Transit Benefits Communities Beyond its Users

Robust, efficient transit networks can have an outsized impact on vehicle miles traveled, even by non-transit users.

55 minutes ago - State Smart Transportation Initiative

Solar and Wind Energy

Why Renewables Aren’t Going Anywhere

The worldwide transition to renewable energy sources is already underway as climate change creates more significant impacts on the global supply chain and economy.

1 hour ago - Forbes

Close-up of charging port on yellow electric school bus plugged in at charging station.

Opinion: Supporting Electric School Buses is the Right Thing to Do — and Fiscally Conservative

Why switching school bus fleets to electric vehicles is good for students, the environment, and school districts’ finances.

2 hours ago - Governing

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.