Good News for Android Auto and CarPlay Users as Carmaker Launches Google Maps Alternative

You’d think that finding a Google Maps alternative is easy, but most users still come back eventually, as Google’s software offers an unrivaled mix of free features, up-to-date maps, and navigation capabilities that just work.

Stellantis believes it can do better. Its effort is called e-ROUTES and was previously available on a handful of Citroen models. The carmaker has now launched the app for all brands in Europe, with customers across the continent to get it this summer.

The question on everybody’s lips is what makes e-ROUTES so special that you should forget about Google Maps once and for all.

Specifically aimed at electric vehicles, e-ROUTES is primarily supposed to be used by a driver whose car doesn’t have a built-in navigation system. Instead of installing Google Maps, the Stellantis customer can use e-ROUTES to get custom routes and navigation based on information collected from the vehicle.

The application can obtain data in real-time, such as the battery charge level, battery capacity, air temperature, and help with trip planning. e-ROUTES can automatically suggest charging stations, display real-time traffic information, the vehicle state of charge, up-to-date trip prediction, and the charge level on arrival.

The parent company promises must-have navigation features, such as speed limits, road closure, hazards, up-to-date maps, and charging station live availability. The application can estimate the cost of each charging station if such data is available.

If you think you’ve seen these capabilities somewhere else, it’s because you did. Google Maps on Android Automotive already offers battery charge monitoring and automatic charging stop suggestions, as the application can access more vehicle information. It can also provide custom routes based on the battery charge level.

One of the best things about e-ROUTES is that it also comes with support for Android Auto and CarPlay. Users must install the app on their smartphones and access the navigation engine and the other features from the infotainment screen in their cars.

Unfortunately, e-ROUTES is not available free of charge. Stellantis customers can get the app as part of the CONNECT PLUS package, but if you bought your car before July 3, 2023, you can also get it as a standalone app (without paying for the rest of the package). The application isn’t necessarily affordable, as it costs 40 Euros per year, but you can also get a monthly subscription of just 4 Euros per month.

Stellantis says the application is available for Citroen buyers and has already been expanded to connected and fully electric vehicles from Peugeot, DS Automobiles, Vauxhall, and Opel. Fiat (600e), Fiat Professional (E-Scudo and E-Doblò), Alfa Romeo (Junior), Jeep (Avenger), and Lancia (Ypsilon Electric) will also get the new application in all European markets. It can be installed on Android and iOS devices.