Google Maps is introducing eco-friendly routes to help fight climate change

Google will be launching a feature on Google Maps that can help drivers follow eco-friendly routes—which are routes estimated to generate the lowest carbon emissions based on traffic, slopes and other factors. The feature would launch first in the United States later this year before “a global expansion”.

The addition of the feature would mean that eco-friendly routes would be the default route on Google Maps if comparable options take about the same time. However, Google will offer choices and let users compare estimated emissions if the alternative routes are significantly faster.

“What we are seeing is for around half of routes, we are able to find an option more eco-friendly with minimal or no time-cost tradeoff,” said Russell Dicker, a director of product at Google.

Google worked with US government’s National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL)—which developed a tool called FastE to estimate vehicles’ energy usage. Their road grade data factors in slopes and inclines from its own Street View cars, along with aerial and satellite imagery.

According to a study of 20 people at California State University last year, participants were “more inclined to consider carbon emissions in route selection” after testing an app that showed estimates. But the potential effect it will have on the environment from the feature is unclear.

At the moment it appears that the feature will be rolled out on Google Maps for now. However, there’s a possibility that we may see this eco-friendly option on Waze in the future since the popular navigation app is also owned by Google.

Google also announced that from June this year, it will start warning drivers when they travel through some places in Germany, France, the Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom—as some vehicles are restricted in their low emissions zones. They are also currently rolling out a feature to help electric vehicles find recharging stations within range that also have its specific plug type.

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