According to a company blog post published on Tuesday, Google will be increasing the number of environmentally friendly route alternatives that include estimates of fuel and energy costs based on the vehicles users choose in the coming weeks.
Maps now include an option for users to estimate how much fuel or energy will be used on a certain route based on the type of vehicle they are driving. People can opt for the quicker route instead of the more fuel-efficient one if the two are significantly different in terms of travel time. Only mobile devices can use this function.
Last year, eco-friendly driving options were made available, allowing motorists to select the most economical route. Google is currently rolling out this update to 40 nations across Europe. These countries include the UK, France, Ireland, Poland, Spain, and the Czech Republic. The Android operating system now includes a traffic prediction widget that was first introduced by Google earlier this year.
Google’s efforts to green Maps are part of a broader trend among tech giants to reduce their carbon footprints while bringing their users along for the journey. According to Google, it will have completely eradicated its carbon footprint by 2020, and the company plans to use artificial intelligence to assist governments in cutting carbon emissions.
In an effort to reduce e-waste, Apple has announced that it will be carbon neutral by 2030 and will no longer include chargers with iPhones sent after 2020. While these carbon reduction goals are certainly ambitious, critics have pointed to the widespread usage of Renewable Energy Certificates and Power Purchase Agreements to acquire clean energy credits to counteract harmful emissions.
Google Maps: Specifying Your Car’s Classification
There are only a few simple steps required to configure your car type in Google Maps on a mobile device.
1. Type enter your address here
2. Click the “More” button (three dots) in the top right corner.
3. Choose a path by pressing buttons
4. Be sure to choose the most fuel-efficient routes possible.
5. Click the appropriate Engine button.
6. Make your selection from the available automobiles.
