In addition to showing the fastest routes from A to B, Google Maps now also shows the most fuel or energy efficient route.
On Wednesday, Google announced the launch of the sustainable routes feature for Google Maps in Luxembourg. From now on, the platform will suggest alternative routes that use less fuel or energy. The new feature will thus allow users to choose between the fastest route and the one with the lowest energy consumption.
In addition, drivers can also select the engine type of their vehicle (petrol, diesel, hybrid, or electric). With this information, the navigation software can optimise its searches to be more precise and suggest a route that uses even less fuel or energy. For example, diesel engines are generally more efficient at high speeds than petrol or gas engines. Hybrid and electric vehicles, on the other hand, are more efficient in traffic jams.
The eco-friendly routes were defined in close cooperation with various institutions and research centres, including the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in the United States, as well as data from the European Environment Agency. Besides engine types, other factors such as road gradient, traffic patterns, and speed limits are also taken into account in determining an "eco-friendly route".
Google expects the new feature to save up to one million tonnes of carbon emissions per year – the equivalent of taking more than 200,000 cars off the road each year.
The sustainable routes feature is now available on Google Maps for Android, iOS, Android Auto, and CarPlay in Luxembourg and almost 40 other European countries.
Marketing clip by Google:
