Google Maps, in-car video streaming and widgets are about to get a big overhaul in most EV brands.

Google has announced a major Android Auto update is coming that will do a better job of seamlessly integrating your car’s screen.

At the top of the list is a new auto-adapting feature that will allow Android auto to nicely fill the growing number of screen shapes cars are debuting.

For example, the electric MINI Countryman SE ALL4 that EV Rider tested comes with a circular display. The new Android Auto will now adapt to the circle’s shape rather than just being a rectangle in the middle of the screen.

The same thing applies to the Lucid Air’s curved display, or the new BMW iX3’s trapezoidal screen shape.

Google Maps will now be able to wrap edge-to-edge.  And speaking of Google Maps, it’s being updated with a redesigned 3D view that shows three dimensional things like buildings, overpasses and terrain.

Here’s a list of brands that Google has so far confirmed will be will be receiving the update:

For those that don’t already know, Google has also been in the process of rolling out native EV route planning. For example, in the Ford Mustang Mach-E Android Auto’s Google maps will suggest charging stops and precondition the battery as the car approaches the charging stop.

For EV owners that choose to stay in their cars while charging, perhaps the most important update is high-definition video streaming. Video apps are coming to Android Auto with up to 60 frames-per-second of full HD.

When you’re done charging and put the car in drive the stream will keep playing. Android Auto will automatically transition the video to an audio-only stream so you can keep listening without interruption. You can see how it works in the video at the top of this post.

Widgets are also coming, allowing you to put overlays on top of Google Maps. Gemini is also being fully integrated, meaning you’ll have one of the best large language AI models in your car.

While you might think that’s overkill, its going to have a lot or practical applications as it integrates with services. For example, you’ll be able to tell Gemini to order your usual Doordash meal right from your car and have it waiting for you the second you get home.

Cars with high-end audio systems will also be getting a boost with Dolby Atmos support being added. One thing that wasn’t mentioned is whether the Chrome browser might finally be allowed on Android Auto.

For General Motors brands and other car makers using Google’s built-in Android Automotive operating system, a similar host of improvements is coming.

The major upgrade is expected to roll out later this year although a specific month wasn’t announced.

The post New Android Auto With Improved Maps, Video To Debut appeared first on EV Rider.

This week on EV Rider, let’s take a look at the cost of performance. I’ve put more than 63,000 miles on my 2022 Mustang Mach-E so far.

As I get ready for my next multistate road trip, that got me wondering how much I would spend to go the same distance in either a gas Mustang with the 2.3 liter EcoBoost turbo 4 or 5 liter V8.

Using Gemini, it’s pretty easy to figure out. I had Gemini assume I charge 70 percent at home and 30 percent using commercial AC and DC chargers, which is my best guess of my actual use case.

To keep the comparison a bit more relevant to readers and viewers I used national averages for gas and electricity as opposed to my home city of Jacksonville, where electricity is running below the national average.

So with the disclaimers out of the way, here are the actual numbers.

My Mustang Mach-E has an estimated fuel cost of $4,706, based on prices gathered on April 30.

For the 2.3L EcoBoost Mustang the cost jumps to $8,694 and for you V8 fans, the cost rises to $14,525.

My assumptions used the following EPA averages: the Mach-E getting 3.3 miles kWh, the turbo Mustang getting 25 MPG and the V8 getting 18 MPG.

Since 91 octane fuel is usually recommended for peak performance, that’s the price I used for the gas versions, although there will be Mustang owners that correctly point out their cars can run on regular. However, by the time I published this story on May 6, the price of regular had risen to $4.48 per gallon, which is higher than premium cost when I originally price checked fuel prices on April 30.

Of course all Mustangs are performance cars, so next let’s look at Ford’s estimated 0-60 mph times for the 2026 editions of Ford’s three ponys.

My Premium AWD extended range Mach-E is roughly the equivalent of a fully optioned EcoBoost gas Mustang. The EV powertrain is only available in the 4-door while the gas powertrains is are available in the coupe and convertible.

Of the three powertrains, the EcoBoost is the slowest car, getting to 60 in a Ford estimated 4.5 seconds. The V8 Mustang GT comes in at 4.2 seconds while the 2026 mid-trim Mach-E Premium AWD also does it in 4.2 seconds.

If you were step up to the top trim Mustang Mach-E GT with the performance unlock, the 0-60 mph time drops to a Ford estimated 3.3 seconds.

So what’s the lesson? It’s pretty simple. When it comes to everyday performance and fuel economy, EVs are going to win almost every time.

More Mustang Mach-E Coverage (story continues below)

60,000 Miles Later: 2022 Mustang Mach-E Review

Should Ford Build This Mustang Mach-E Convertible?

Ford Shows Off Tri-Motor Mustang Mach-E For NASCAR

Mustang Mach-E EV Sells Better Than Gas Mustang

Ford Will Offer Complementary Mach-E, F-150 Lightning NACS Supercharger Adapters

EV Rider’s 2023 Top 10; What’s Ahead In 2024

At Deeper Look At The Stats In This Post

Gemini, which is a Google-owned AI model, was used to come up with the estimates used in this story, using U.S. average electric and gasoline fuel prices compiled on April 30, 2026. Disclaimer: Fuel prices constantly fluxuate.

The Variables: Assumes 63,000 miles of travel for each vehicle, using EPA fuel economy estimates

• U.S. Average Premium Gas on 4/20/26: $4.15 per gallon.
• EV Charging Mix: 70% Home ($0.17 kWh), 15% L2 ($0.30 kWh), 15% L3 ($0.55 kWh). U.S. average prices on 4/20/26.

The post EV Vs. Gas Mustangs: Fuel Cost Difference Is Striking appeared first on EV Rider.

Classic rides ranging from Mustangs and Corvettes to Chevelles, Miatas and more will be on display at the 11th annual San Jose Car and Truck Show in Jacksonville on June 6. The show is being postponed from its earlier date due to a heavy chance of rain.

See the video at the top of this post for highlights from the 10th annual show.

There will be a host of prizes for classic car entries. See the flyer below for a full list of categories.

The show runs from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, June 6, 2026 at the Dupont Station Shopping Center at 6721 St. Augustine Road, Jacksonville, FL 32217.

Proceeds will benefit the Bishop Snyder Community Center. We hope to see you there. Here’s a flyer with additional details but keep mind the date has been updated to June 6:

The post UPDATE: San Jose Car & Truck Show Postponed to June 6 appeared first on EV Rider.

This week’s video is a quick roundup of some of our favorite recent road tests; including the Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack, Kia EV6 GT-Line and Chevrolet Silverado Trail Boss EV, along with a preview of our upcoing April 29 road test of the BMW M5 Touring.

Here are links to the full written road tests of the EVs referenced:

• 2026 Chevy Silverado EV Is The Real Trail Boss
• Long-Term Owner Review: Charger Daytona Scat Pack
• Kia EV6 GT-Line Checks All The Boxes

And here are the video versions:

Chevrolet Silvervado Trail Boss EV Video Road Test

Dodge Daytona Scat Pack Long-Term Owner Video Review & Road Test

Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD Video Road Test

And, for you animation fans, here are the Zappy cartoons.

EV Rider And Zappy Cartoons

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Cartoon: Zappy Races Dodge Daytona Charger EV

Zappy Previews Mustang Mach-E

EV Rider At Daytona Bike Week

Chihuahua Co-Pilot: Zappy Adds Sparks & Style

Zappy Tries To Keep Up With Kia EV6

Zappy Previews Fiat's Topolino EV

Zappy asks: What's V2G?

3D VR Cartoon: EV Rider & Zappy's Solar Adventure

Cartoon: EV Rider & Zappy's Solar Adventure

A Very Zappy Christmas

EV Rider's 1st Cartoon: Meet Zappy

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The post EV Rider Road Tests Roundup appeared first on EV Rider.

Could the Lucid Air be offered as a convertible one day?

Thanks to AI, EV Rider is can giving you a very realistic look at what an Air convertible would probably look like in the video at the top of this post.

Even the name Air lends itself to being made into a soft top. But despite how good it would look, don’t get your hopes up.

Since the Air wasn’t designed to accommodate a convertible from day one, the engineering costs alone make the video nothing more than a dream for a future generation.

Among the problems Lucid would face with the existing Air is re-engineering the A-pillars to make them thicker and stronger.

Other reinforcements would be needed to make up for the lost rigidity that the existing roof provides, which in turn would add more weight.

A convertible would also likely severely impact the Air’s ultra-low drag design. Between the extra drag and weight, drivers would likely see a significant hit in range as well as with other compromises such as the likelihood of sloppier handling along with less rear passenger space and a smaller trunk.

Perhaps the biggest barrier is the cost it would add. Since the Air is a low volume car, it would likely mean paying well over $20,000 more to purchase a convertible variant.

As an example, the last-gen Dodge Challenger convertible, which was produced by aftermarket company Droptop Customs as a Dodge-sanctioned special-order car, added $25,000 to the cost when ordered through a dealership.

But still, it’s fun to dream. And who knows, maybe Lucid will eventually grow large enough to consider a convertible variation of a next-generation Air or another future model.

Lucid Air Pure Road Test & Review Video

The post What If: Lucid Air Convertible Concept appeared first on EV Rider.

Get a look at many of the classics on display at the 2026 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance at the Ritz-Carlton and meet one of the designers behind the Red Dot Award winning SCAD Aether EV from the Savannah College of Art and Design.

More Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance Coverage (section page)

2026 Amelia Island Concours Preview

Italian Automakers Show Off EV Style At Amelia Concours

Video Tour: 2025 Amelia Island Concours Classics

Lotus Enters Hyper SUV Space With Eletre EV

VW Shows Off U.S. Spec ID. Buzz, ID. 7 At Amelia Concours

In-Depth: Chrysler Halcyon EV Concept At Amelia Concours

The post 2026 Amelia Concours: SCAD EV & The Classics appeared first on EV Rider.

The cars pictured in this video short and photo gallery are just a taste of Saturday’s March 7, 2026 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, with some of the classics pictured available to bid on at The Amelia Auction 2026, while the Polestars EVs pictured are among the brands being showcased at The Amelia. For a complete preview of The Amelia see this jaxtoday.com story from EV Rider contributor Dan Scanlan and look for a full video here on evrider.tv on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. | More coverage from The Amelia.

Friday Photo Gallery (click to enlarge images)

The post 2026 Amelia Island Concours Preview appeared first on EV Rider.

Be a kid again. Enjoy these EV Rider cartoons. Links to the road tests referenced are below the cartoons.

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Cartoon: Zappy Races Dodge Daytona Charger EV

Zappy Previews Mustang Mach-E

EV Rider At Daytona Bike Week

Chihuahua Co-Pilot: Zappy Adds Sparks & Style

Zappy Tries To Keep Up With Kia EV6

Zappy Previews Fiat's Topolino EV

Zappy asks: What's V2G?

3D VR Cartoon: EV Rider & Zappy's Solar Adventure

Cartoon: EV Rider & Zappy's Solar Adventure

A Very Zappy Christmas

EV Rider's 1st Cartoon: Meet Zappy

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Links To Videos Referenced In Some Of The Cartoons

• 60,000 Miles Later: 2022 Mustang Mach-E Review
• 1st Look: US-Bound Fiat Topolino LSV EV
• 2025 Kia EV6 GT-Line Checks All The Boxes
• V2G: How EVs Can Make Our Grid More Robust

About EV Rider & Zappy Cartoons

If you grew up watching cartoons like Bugs Bunny, Wally Gator, Top Cat, Quick Draw McGraw, Atom Ant, Secret Squirrel, Speed Buggy, Wacky Races, Pokémon and so many other classic cartoons; you’ll enjoy the adventures of EV Rider and Zappy.

The post EV Rider & Zappy Cartoons appeared first on EV Rider.

Classic Miatas, Volkswagens, BMWs and many more were on display at the Tom Bush Family of Dealerships car show on Feb. 21 in Jacksonville, FL. Enjoy the cars, people and community spirit in this music video tour of the show.

Proceeds benefitted Rethreaded, which is a Jacksonville-based non-profit and social enterprise that employs survivors of human trafficking, providing them with a safe environment for healing and career development.

The post Coming Together For A Good Cause & Classic Cars appeared first on EV Rider.

This week on EV Rider we’ve got a video-only, long-term look at a 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack EV with more than 37,000 miles.

EV Rider met up with Charger Daytona owner Garrett Linenkugel in Daytona Beach, FL where he graciously let me take the wheel.

We got into a lot of pluses and minuses, covering everything from charging speed and performance to software gremlins and build quality.

Related: Droptop Customs Charger Daytona Convertible

Cartoon Fun: Zappy Races Charger Daytona Scat Pack EV

The post Long-Term Owner Review: Charger Daytona Scat Pack appeared first on EV Rider.