Eco-friendly Google Maps routes have dramatically cut vehicle pollution

Google claims its Maps eco-friendly routing feature has saved around 1.3 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) exhaust pollution in a year – but the feature isn’t available in Australia yet.

In its latest environmental report [PDF ↗], the technology and advertising giant estimated that the local emissions savings is equivalent to taking almost 250,000 combustion-engined vehicles off the road for a year.

The data quoted only covers between October 2021 and December 2022, so the total pollution avoided should now be even higher – provided users are still choosing the efficient route.

The Google Maps feature launched overseas in late 2021 to encourage driver’s to take a more fuel- or energy-efficient route, even if it may take longer to reach the destination.

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However, the company hasn’t detailed how its machine-learning model determines an efficient route.

The eco-friendly routing option rolled out to Canada, Egypt and nearly 40 European countries last year, but is yet to make its way to Australia.

An update also allowed users to select their vehicle powertrain type – petrol, diesel, hybrid or full electric vehicle – to get a more accurate route suggestion and efficiency estimates.

According to Google, global searches for ‘how to save fuel when driving’ have increased by 60 per cent compared to last year.

While carmakers are pushing ahead with releasing electric vehicles, drivers can cut local emissions and save on fuel expenses without switching into a new car.

This includes only gently pressing the accelerator, using higher gears when suitable, and avoiding idling.

An internal study by Toyota claimed regular petrol- and diesel-powered vehicles could save up to 26 per cent in CO2 emissions by switching on eco mode in its vehicles.

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April 4, 2021: Google Maps to gain eco-friendly route suggestions

An upcoming update to the popular Google Maps service will bring the addition of ‘fuel-efficient’ route suggestions, the company has revealed.

Joining a number of other new features, the eco-friendly option will suggest directions optimised for lower fuel consumption than others might otherwise require.

Specifics of the route calculations have not been detailed, but the images above suggest it might focus on routes with fewer reasons to stop, and ideal speeds for optimal engine operation. Logical.

The fuel-efficient route suggestions will begin appearing for Android and iOS users in the US later this year, with other ‘global’ markets to get the update sometime later. We Aussies probably shouldn’t expect to see it until sometime in 2022.

Markets with ‘low emissions’ zones – usually urban centres in countries like the UK, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Spain – will also begin to see Google Maps offer alerts if a suggested route will go through these areas.

Owners of vehicles with CO2 emissions ratings above the accepted maximum will likely want to tick the ‘avoid low emissions zones’ box that is sure to appear alongside the ‘avoid tolls’ choice in the route options screen.

Lastly, an air quality ‘layer’ will join Google Maps’ existing options – which includes traffic and satellite views – in Australia, India, and the US in the coming months.