Alibaba’s AMAP (aka Autonavi or Gaode Maps) has a new feature that lets electric vehicle users in China search for nearby charging stations.
The function mirrors a similar feature that Google Maps debuted in the US in 2018. Typing “charging station” into the search bar will take you to a dedicated map that shows facilities for partnered organizations, along with the number of vacant spots, pricing and user reviews.
AMAP’s move comes as China extends subsidies to “new energy vehicle” manufacturers and offers tax breaks to buyers for two years. The country’s EV industry has been suffering from a bout of layoffs and safety controversies since authorities started scaling back subsidies in the overcrowded market. This year’s Covid-19 crisis has thrown some players into an even more precarious situation: Last month, one of China’s main Tesla-challengers, NIO, said it has doubts about whether it can remain in business until next year.
(Abacus is a unit of the South China Morning Post, which is owned by Alibaba.)