News

Google Maps to start directing drivers along eco-friendly routes

Google’s Maps app will start directing drivers along routes estimated to generate the lowest carbon emissions based on traffic, slopes, and other factors, the company announced on Tuesday.

According to Reuters, Google said the feature would launch later this year in the US and eventually reach other countries as part of its commitment to help combat climate change through its services.

Unless users opt-out, the default route will be the “eco-friendly” one if comparable options take about the same time, Google said. When alternatives are significantly faster, Google will offer choices and let users compare estimated emissions.

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,” Russell Dicker, a director of product at Google, told reporters on Monday.

Google said it derives emissions relative estimates by testing across different types of vehicles and road types, drawing on insights from the US government’s National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL). Road grade data comes from its Street View cars as well as aerial and satellite imagery.

The potential effect on emissions from the feature is unclear. But in a study of 20 people at California State University, Long Beach, university researchers last year found participants were more inclined to consider carbon emissions in route selection after testing an app that showed estimates.

Google’s announcement included additional climate-focused changes. From June, it will start warning drivers about travel through low emissions zones where some vehicles are restricted in Germany, France, the Netherlands, Spain, and the UK.

In the coming months, Maps app users will be able to compare car, biking, public transit, and other travel options in one place instead of toggling between different sections.

Sponsored
Hamza Zakir

Platonist. Humanist. Unusually edgy sometimes.

Share
Published by
Hamza Zakir

Recent Posts

Garena Free Fire India Launch Rumors: What Fans Need to Know

Reports suggest that Garena Free Fire is set to make a much-anticipated return to India.…

17 hours ago

Albania Bans TikTok for One Year: Here’s the Reason!

The Albanian government has announced a ban on the social media platform TikTok for a…

21 hours ago

Google Pixel 9 Pro vs. 8 Pro: Biggest Upgrades Compared

The launch of Google’s latest Pixel lineup brings an exciting chance to compare the new…

23 hours ago

Azad Kashmir to Host Pakistan’s First Women-Centric Software Technology Park

ISLAMABAD: In February next year, Pakistan is set to launch its first women-focused software technology…

24 hours ago

HEC Reveals Law Admission Test Date for LLB Students

The Law Admission Test (LAT) has been announced by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of…

1 day ago

Meta’s WhatsApp to Release New Playback Speed Feature for Videos

Meta's WhatsApp is rolling out a new playback speed feature, allowing users to adjust video…

2 days ago