Ford F-150 Lightning & Apple Maps team up
A new navigation era is dawning, one where electric vehicle (EV) owners won't find themselves in a sweat, fearing their car might give up the ghost in the middle of a highway, bereft of charging points. The iconic Ford F-150 Lightning, a veritable titan of trucks, will soon marry its prowess with Apple Maps EV routing. That's right, Apple’s fancy EV routing is finally gracing the F-150 Lightning.
Back in 2020, during the WWDC, Apple unveiled a feature that felt like it leaped right out of a sci-fi flick. Apple Maps EV routing made its grand entry, promising EV drivers navigation that's cleverer than your above-average sixth grader. The Ford Mustang Mach-E was the first vehicle to have this privilege in March 2022, followed by the ritzy Porsche Taycan. Feeling a tad left out, the Ford F-150 Lightning now joins the ranks, set to integrate this feature in Q4 of this year.
A fresh bulletin from Ford, delivered to dealers just a week ago, cheerily announced that "all Ford Lightning owners" will soon be navigating their journeys with the smarts of Apple Maps EV routing. If you're rolling in a 2022 or 2023 model year F-150 Lightning, expect a software update gift-wrapped with this feature.
Let's break down all the fuss, minus the jargon and nerdy bits. Once your iPhone sidles up to CarPlay, Apple Maps won't just show you the quickest route to Grandma's house. It'll keep an eye on your truck's charge, telling you if you need to charge en route, it’ll find a most suitable charger and one that’s free and it’ll tell you how long that pit stop might be. On top of that, it will work out how much juice you’ll have left when you reach your final stop.
The system is so attentive that it considers the charging speed, available chargers, elevation levels, and even how heavy your foot is on the gas (or, in this case, electrons). Based on all this, Apple Maps will suggest where and when to charge.
The Ford F-150 Lightning gets a navigation upgrade with Apple Maps EV routing, aiming to redefine the EV driving experience.
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