Apple Maps will offer real-time EV charger availability
Not a Tesla App
With iOS 17's upcoming release, Apple continues its forward-thinking approach to improving the user experience for electric vehicle owners. The upcoming update to Apple Maps offers real-time charging availability information, an inclusion that promises to streamline the charging process and heighten convenience for Tesla and other EV drivers.
Apple Maps: Integrating Real-Time EV Charging Details in iOS 17
In 2020, Apple first ventured into offering support for EV routing via Apple Maps. Initially launched for Ford Mustang Mach-E and Porsche Taycan drivers, Apple has now evolved the feature to incorporate real-time charging information in iOS 17. The updated interface will display the total number of stalls at a specific charging station and will also indicate how many of these are currently in use.
Real-Time Charging Information
Given the burgeoning popularity of electric vehicles, charging stations will likely see increasing demand. The real-time charging information offered by Apple Maps in iOS 17 aims to optimize the user experience by providing up-to-the-minute data on charging station availability, thereby minimizing potential wait times. This function is bound to be a boon for Tesla drivers, who can better plan their charging stops, knowing the availability status ahead of time.
Apple Maps goes beyond merely presenting users with real-time charging availability. It further enables drivers to set up their preferred charging networks, including Tesla's Supercharger network, Electrify America, Chargepoint, and more. Once a driver selects their preferred networks, Apple Maps tailors the information presented to align with this preference. Such personalization paves the way for an even more seamless charging experience for EV drivers.
Apple Maps and iOS 17: Embracing the Future of Sustainable Travel
While currently only available to cars supporting Apple Maps EV routing, the expanded functionality holds promise for broadening its reach in the future. Considering the rising trend of electric vehicles, features like real-time charging availability and preferred charging networks are set to transform the user experience of EV drivers substantially.
The updates provided by Apple in iOS 17 indicate the tech giant's commitment to promoting and adapting to the future of sustainable travel. Given the rate of EV adoption and the growing demand for smart, seamless solutions, Apple Maps' enhanced features, including real-time charging details, align with the evolving needs of modern EV drivers, especially Tesla owners.
The recent updates by Apple are indeed game-changers. By offering Tesla and other EV owners real-time charging information, preferred charging network selection, and intelligent routing, Apple Maps on iOS 17 is ushering in a new era of convenient and efficient EV travel.
Unfortunately, Tesla owners will likely not see support for Apple's EV routing feature, but they'll still be able to benefit from the real-time availability information of EV chargers.
Apple's iOS 17 was released to developers at their WWDC conference earlier this month and is expected to be released this fall.
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The road to bringing FSD to Europe has been a long and complex one and filled with regulatory and bureaucratic hurdles. Elon Musk, as well as other members of Tesla’s AI team, have previously voiced their grievances with the regulatory approval process on X.
However, it appears that there is finally some progress in getting things moving with recent changes to upcoming autonomy regulations, but the process still seems slow.
Waiting on the Dutch
Elon commented on X recently, stating that Tesla is waiting for approval from Dutch authorities and then the EU to start rolling out FSD in Europe. Tesla is focusing on acquiring approvals from the Dutch transportation authority, which will provide them with the platform they need to gain broader acceptance in Europe. Outside of the Netherlands, Tesla is also conducting testing in Norway, which provides a couple of avenues for them to obtain national-level approval.
The frustration has been ongoing, with multiple committee meetings bringing up autonomy regulation but always pulling back at the last second before approving anything. The last meeting on Regulation 157, which governs Automated Lane Keeping Systems, concluded with authorities from the UK and Spain requesting additional time to analyze the data before reaching a conclusion.
Tesla, as well as Elon, have motioned several times for owners to reach out to their elected representatives to move the process forward, as it seems that Tesla’s own efforts are being stymied.
This can seem odd, especially since Tesla has previously demoed FSD working exceptionally smoothly on European roads - and just did it again in Rome when they shared the video below on X.
— Tesla Europe & Middle East (@teslaeurope) June 12, 2025
DCAS Phase 3
While the approval process has been slow, Kees Roelandschap pointed out that there may be a different regulatory step that could allow FSD to gain a foothold in Europe.
According to Kees, the European Commission is now taking a new approach to approving ADAS systems under the new DCAS Phase 3 regulations. The Commission is now seeking data from systems currently operational in the United States that can perform System-Initiated Maneuvers and don’t require hands-on intervention for every request.
This is key because those are two of the core functionalities that make FSD so usable, and it also means that there may not be a need to wait years for proper regulations to be written from scratch. Now, the Commission will be looking at real-world data based on existing, deployed technology, which could speed up the process immensely.
What This Means
This new, data-driven regulatory approach could be the path for Tesla to reach its previous target of September for European FSD. While the cogs of bureaucracy are ever slow, sometimes all it takes is a little data to have them turn a bit faster in this case.
Alongside specific countries granting approval for limited field testing with employees, there is some light at the end of the tunnel for FSD in Europe, and hopes are that a release will occur by the end of 2025. With Europe now looking to North America for how FSD is performing, Tesla’s Robotaxi results could also play a role.
Tesla’s marketing has always been relatively unconventional, relying on word-of-mouth rather than traditional advertising. The passion of the owner’s community is always massive, but it is especially high now with the launch of the Robotaxi network just around the corner.
Tesla is now tapping into that spring of fan creativity and announced the TeslaVision video contest, with some seriously impressive prizes up for grabs.
Announcing the TeslaVision fan video showcase
Tesla owners & supporters have always been able to see our products & mission for what they truly are.
Your word of mouth has made Tesla what it is today.
The OGs will remember that in 2017, we held our first video contest. 8 years… pic.twitter.com/6pPpkqmqOH
The core of the contest is simple. Create a video that shows how your Tesla gives you more in life. Tesla is looking for submissions that highlight themes of freedom, safety, fun, and convenience.
Prizes
The prizes definitely make this contest worth entering if you’re good with a camera and have some basic video editing abilities.
For North America, the prizes include a brand new Model Y AWD Long Range, alongside an all-expenses-paid trip to Austin for a tour of Giga Texas. The grand prize winner will also be able to custom order their Model Y, allowing them to select their preferred wheels and color.
The two runners-up won’t get a Model Y, but they’ll also enjoy an all-expenses-paid trip to Giga Texas for a tour of the factory.
The travel and tour include lodging in Austin for 2 nights, as well as economy-class round-trip tickets from anywhere in North America. Tesla will also provide a vehicle for use during the trip.
For long-time followers of Tesla, this contest may feel familiar. The contest is a direct throwback to the 2017 Project Loveday contest, which was inspired by a letter to Tesla from a 10-year-old aspiring marketer. That contest was won by MKBHD, with his submission below:
How to Enter
If you’re ready to start filming, here are the key pieces of information you’ll need to know:
Video must be 90 seconds or less
Video must be uploaded to YouTube with a public URL
Make a post on X and Instagram tagging “@Tesla” and include the words “TeslaVision contest” in the post.
Provide links to both social media posts in your submission to Tesla’s form
Provide your personal details in the form
You have until July 17th, 2025, or until Tesla receives 10,000 entries, whichever comes first.