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Author Sebastian Oppenheimer
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Occupied charging stations are a huge annoyance for e-car drivers, especially on long-distance journeys.
Thanks to new software, it should now be easier to find vacancies.
The number of electric cars on the streets is constantly increasing - however, the charging infrastructure in Germany is not growing at the same pace.
The problem with the charging process for electric vehicles: despite constant technical developments, refueling simply takes much longer than with combustion engines.
This increases the risk that drivers will have to wait a long time at a charging station until a slot becomes free – as examples from the UK or Croatia show when traveling.
Some manufacturers, such as Audi with its charging hub, or, more recently, Mercedes, are therefore also working on their own charging networks.
The geodata service provider Here presented another solution at the CES in Las Vegas – in the form of new software.
Search for free charging stations: New software should make life easier for e-car drivers
According to the company, Here's route planning software is used in 170 million vehicles worldwide.
Now a forecast function for the availability of charging stations is to be integrated.
This could significantly improve the travel planning of electric car drivers in the future.
For example, they could change the route slightly - or postpone the start time so that they don't have to wait forever at a charging station.
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A new software is to predict the availability of charging stations for e-cars worldwide.
(icon picture)
© Michael Gstettenbauer/Imago
Charging an electric car: artificial intelligence should predict empty columns
As Here reports, the new software aggregates data from more than 90 percent of public charging stations.
In order to create a forecast that is as reliable as possible, traffic data as well as variables such as the day of the week, the time and the weather are included in the forecast.
With the help of artificial intelligence, EV drivers should then be able to predict as reliably as possible when and where a free charging station will be available.
The Chinese electric car manufacturer Nio is currently presenting a completely different solution: the batteries in its electric vehicles can be exchanged relatively quickly at special exchange stations.
Ten cars with internal combustion engines that we will miss
Audi TT: Once considered the core model of the Audi brand, the compact sports car built as a coupé and roadster will not have a successor.
This is also due to the meanwhile sluggish demand for the design icon.
A comparable Stromer will look completely different.
Until the end of the year, the TT can still be ordered from 39,700 euros.
© Audi AG
Mercedes A-Class: The compact car no longer fits into the new Mercedes-Benz concept of offering high-priced sedans, SUVs and sports cars in particular.
The convincing concept of the early A-Class, to create as much space as possible in a compact car, would fit well into the electric age - but has now been watered down anyway.
The basic Benz is still available from 28,393 euros.
© Mercedes-Benz
Porsche 718 Boxster: Although Porsche is still fighting for the combustion engine, it will probably only survive in the long term in the 911. In 2025, the Boxster and Cayman will only be electrified on request and later in principle.
The versions with six-cylinder boxers in particular offer almost electric virtues such as smooth running and pulling power - with a long range (for a sports car) and low weight.
Current price: from 60,061 euros.
© Daniel Wollstein/Porsche
Jeep Wrangler: The off-road icon is no longer available as a pure combustion engine.
The plug-in hybrid will run as long as it is allowed to, but will not make the leap into the electric era.
A battery-powered successor is likely to be similarly modernized as the current Land Rover Defender, but still offer outstanding off-road characteristics thanks to its electric motors.
At 77,500 euros, the classic has now become a luxury car.
© Stellantis
VW Golf CabrioVW Golf Cabrio: Basically, we've been missing it since 2016. The open VW T-Roc cannot replace the charm of the open compact car, which started its career as a "strawberry basket" with handles.
This will probably also apply to an electric convertible based on the VW ID.3 – if one comes at all, which is rather doubtful given the weakening demand for open-top cars.
© Volkswagen
Fiat 500Fiat 500: While the current version of the small car is only produced as an electric car, the slightly smaller predecessor can still be ordered at the moment.
In the Stellantis group, however, its end has been decided.
The economical hybrid version with 70 hp is an ecologically sensible offer, for example for those who absolutely do not want an electric car - such as city dwellers who do not have a fast charging option.
The combustion engine can still be ordered from 15,501 euros.
© Stellantis
Mercedes-Benz SLC 300Mercedes SLC: The compact roadster started out as the first convertible with a folding hardtop under the name SLK.
Now it wasn't the electronics boom that ended his career as a woman understander, but rather the slump in demand.
In the future luxury electric vehicle portfolio from Mercedes, such affordable driving fun models are certainly not planned.
© Mercedes Benz
Lamborghini HuracanLamborghini Huracán: The Italian VW subsidiary resisted electrification for a long time, but of course there is no getting around it.
The Huracán's pure, naturally aspirated V10, undiluted by hybrid and turbo, will earn its place as one of the pinnacles of the combustion engine age.
Its 640 hp would be achieved with significantly less effort by electric motors, but be that as it may: the fact that such cars will no longer exist is as reasonable as it is a pity.
Price: from 190,274 euros.
© Charlie Magee
BMW Z4BMW Z4: Yes, he's still alive!
Unlike Mercedes-Benz, BMW is continuing its mid-range roadster, a cooperation with Toyota makes it possible.
But even if BMW wants to continue building combustion engines, a successor is anything but certain.
If we're wrong and there will be a Z4 with (as is usual with BMW) combustion and electric options in the future: all the better.
If you don't want to rely on it, you have to invest at least 46,200 euros.
©BMW
Tina Ruland on an Opel MantaOpel Manta: Actually, we had already dismissed the Manta as a unique Eighties.
Then Opel aroused the imagination with the announcement of an electric Mantas: A two-door, light coupe, with enough range for a trip to the discotheque (that's what clubs used to be called) and to the quarry pond, that would be a nice piece of anarchy between all the efficient, sensible ones streamers.
But only the usual battery SUV will come out again, to which a marketing genius sticks the Manta lettering.
We will miss the real one all the more.
© Rights Managed/Imago
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Map service Here was once part of Nokia until it was acquired by Audi, BMW and Mercedes in 2015.
The aim at the time was to forge an alliance against the superiority of IT giants such as Google and Apple.
The car manufacturers gradually reduced their shares – and new shareholders such as Bosch, Continental and the Chinese Tencent group were added.
List of rubrics: © Michael Gstettenbauer/Imago