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| Amazon Alexa helps EV drivers find charging stations |
Amazon said Thursday that its Alexa smart assistant will allow electric vehicle drivers to find charging stations on the road.
While attending the Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2023), Amazon announced a new partnership with one of the largest charging networks in the US (EVGo) that will allow Alexa to direct electric vehicle drivers to public charging stations and pay a service fee. .
The company said Alexa will use data from EVGo's PlugShare community to direct EV drivers to nearby charging stations.
When a driver selects an EVGo station, Alexa can pay tolls with a simple voice command. Amazon expects to roll out the new feature later this year.
“The electric vehicle charging experience is much more fragmented than that of fuel (auto) customers, who can park almost anywhere,” said Enes Hodic, vice president of Amazon's Smart Car Group.
While Tesla EV owners can rely on the company's Supercharger Network, non-Tesla EV drivers face a mix of competing charging networks, poorly maintained chargers, and apps that provide incomplete information and are sometimes outdated.
Unlike traditional hops, drivers of electric vehicles need to consider charging speed, connector type, and payment options. Also, drivers find it difficult to use multiple apps to find charging stations.
“We want Alexa to play a role in our customers' everyday lives, and charging an electric vehicle is a great example of a task that can be made easier and more convenient through the power of artificial intelligence,” said Hudec.