If you’ve ever used Apple Maps for EV routing, you know the experience can be frustrating.
As much as I love Apple’s deep integration between hardware and software, I’ve always felt like its EV navigation was a few steps behind what Tesla and Google Maps offer.
However, with iOS 18.4, Apple is finally making a move that could bring CarPlay’s EV experience closer to what it should have been from day one.
One of the biggest frustrations for Ford Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning owners has been Apple Maps’ refusal to acknowledge Tesla’s NACS Supercharger network, even after Ford started shipping adapters.
This meant that if you were planning a route, Apple Maps would only steer you toward CCS chargers, completely ignoring that you could now charge at Tesla’s much larger (and often more reliable) network.
For a company that prides itself on seamless user experiences, this was a major blind spot.
But iOS 18.4 is changing that. Thanks to code discovered in the latest beta, we now know that Apple Maps will soon recognize when an EV can charge at Tesla Superchargers using an adapter.
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Drivers will see prompts like “Tesla NACS Adapter Required” when planning their routes, ensuring they’re no longer stuck relying on CCS stations alone. It’s a small but critical update that makes Apple Maps much more helpful for EV drivers.
This is exactly the kind of CarPlay improvement I’ve been waiting for. EV adoption is growing fast, and Apple can’t afford to lag behind when it comes to navigation.
While this update still only benefits a handful of cars, it’s a sign that Apple is finally paying closer attention to the needs of EV drivers.
And with CarPlay set to get a major redesign later this year—including deeper vehicle integration for climate control, speedometer displays, and more—this is just the beginning.
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Of course, there’s still work to do. Right now, Apple Maps EV routing is limited to just a few models, while competitors like Google Maps support a much wider range of EVs.
While recognizing that Tesla Superchargers is a great step forward, Apple still needs to make sure it’s keeping up with the rapid changes in EV infrastructure.
But for those of us who have stuck with CarPlay over the years, it’s exciting to see Apple finally giving EV drivers the attention they deserve.
So, if you’re an EV owner who’s been frustrated with Apple Maps, keep an eye out for iOS 18.4 when it drops in April. Your CarPlay experience is about to get a whole lot better.
