Does Tesla Use Google Maps?

If you have ever used the Tesla navigation system and trip planner, you probably recognise the maps and have wondered if Tesla really uses Google Maps?

The short answer is yes. Tesla uses Google Maps for the display of the maps on the screen for navigation. However, the actual navigation comes from outside suppliers.

Which Map Data Source Does Tesla Use?

Although Tesla uses Google Maps to display the map on your Tesla screen, they use other map data sources for navigation.

Mapbox

The most recent version of Tesla’s navigation system uses Mapbox for data, and their 2018 purchase Valhalla for routing.

Traffic Data: INRIX & Tesla Data

Tesla used to get the traffic data from INRIX to help you avoid traffic jams, accidents and re-route depending on live data. They seemed to have moved to their own data sometime in 2020, according to this article.

2020.24 firmware release notes don't say, but Tesla totally removed Inrix there. So now apparently they plan to just depend on their own data gathering?
Also gone is the ability to show accidents ahead and such.

Money savings for sure, but I wonder about performance?

— green (@greentheonly) June 24, 2020

Tesla’s Own Map Data

Tesla is always looking at further incorporating their own data from the millions of vehicles they have on the road. This so-called “crowd sourced data” could help provide more up-to-date information on specific types of driving like Summon.

TomTom

Tesla has also used TomTom data for a while, about 4-5 years ago, but moved to Mapbox after that.

Navigon

The original supplier of mapping data was Navigon, however, they were always using Google Maps for display.

Note: Special thanks to Hagrinas Mivali on Quora for the above information

Tesla Navigation vs Google Maps

Tesla’s navigation system is quite similar to Google Maps for its basic functionality because it uses Google Maps data to create the maps.

However, Tesla’s Navigation adds features such as:

• Supercharger locations
• Filter by supercharger features
• Trip Charge estimations
• Trip Planner with supercharging stops
• Voice navigation

Getting Google Maps on Your Tesla

If you want to get Google Maps onto your Tesla screen you can do it from your phone quite simply.

All you have to do to get Google Maps onto your Tesla is:

• Map your route on Google Maps on your phone
• Click the three dots on the top right
• Choose “Share Directions“
• Choose the Tesla App from the apps to share from

The Google Maps route you have planned should then appear on your Tesla screen.