Test-Drive of Jeep Wagoneer S EV Covered 1,400 Miles in Upstate New York; Utilization of Tesla Chargers Crucial for Successful Journey, Altered Perception Towards EV Travels

Test-Drive of Jeep Wagoneer S EV Covered 1,400 Miles in Upstate New York; Utilization of Tesla Chargers Crucial for Successful Journey, Altered Perception Towards EV Travels

In the ever-evolving world of electric vehicles (EVs), many drivers are turning to third-party navigation apps to enhance their driving experience. This trend is particularly prevalent among owners of vehicles like the Jeep Wagoneer S EV and Rivian, who seek a more feature-rich, accurate, and user-friendly navigation system.

One such road-tripper is Jesse Barnes, who recently completed a 1,400-mile journey in a Jeep Wagoneer S EV. Barnes found the vehicle's Advanced Driver Assistance system (ADA) invaluable, as it handled approximately 75% of the driving, keeping fatigue at bay. However, he experienced some hiccups with the factory nav system, particularly when bridge shadows triggered the front anti-collision system four times during his trip.

To overcome these issues, Barnes resorted to using the Tesla Superchargers with the Magic Dock feature in his Jeep Wagoneer S EV. Interestingly, he found a charger on Apple Maps that was not listed on ABRP, Plug Share, or Free2Move, highlighting the need for more comprehensive navigation solutions.

The preference for third-party navigation apps is rooted in several key reasons. Superior map quality and a feature-rich experience are at the top of the list. For instance, Rivian initially used Mapbox based on Open Street Map data but switched to Google Maps for a more reliable and detailed navigation experience.

The convenience and familiarity of phone integration are another significant factor. Despite Rivian’s efforts to build a native system from the ground up and their choice not to support Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, many drivers still prefer third-party apps like Waze or Google Maps because these apps offer wireless, instant projection of music, messages, and navigation from their phones, which feels more seamless and smart.

EV-specific real-time data and crowd-sourced updates are also crucial. Apps like Waze provide live traffic alerts, hazard warnings, and increasing EV-focused features like charger locations filtered specifically for the user’s vehicle requirements — features that may be limited or less refined in native systems.

Enhanced trip planning and synchronization are another advantage. Some apps allow planning routes on the phone and sending destinations directly to the vehicle, a feature that streamlines the driving experience.

Noah Washington, an automotive journalist based in Atlanta, Georgia, with 15 years of experience in the automotive industry, agrees. "While native navigation systems in some EVs are well designed, many users favor third-party navigation apps due to their richer feature sets, real-time updates, convenience of phone integration, and superior data accuracy, especially for managing charging stops and traffic conditions on longer trips," he said.

However, it's important to note that there is no consensus on the best approach for EV navigation as we are still building the EV playbook in real time. Early production volumes of the Jeep Wagoneer S EV are limited, and broader sales data has not yet been released.

As the EV market continues to grow, it's clear that users are demanding more from their navigation systems. Third-party apps are stepping up to meet these demands, offering a more user-friendly, feature-rich, and accurate navigation experience for EV drivers.

[1] Source: https://www.electrek.co/2021/04/15/rivian-google-maps-navigation-system/ [2] Source: https://www.electrek.co/2021/04/15/rivian-google-maps-navigation-system/ [3] Source: https://www.electrek.co/2021/04/15/rivian-google-maps-navigation-system/

1. Jesse Barnes, recognizing the limitations of the factory navigation system in his Jeep Wagoneer S EV, decided to explore electric-vehicle (EV)-specific third-party navigation apps for a more comprehensive and accurate travel experience.
2. As more diversify their preferences towards electric-vehicles (EVs), the travel industry may see an increasing demand for lifestyle integrations, such as technology that offers comprehensive navigation solutions, to boost user-friendly experiences and enhance overall travel experiences.

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