Google is expanding Maps’ eco-friendly routing mode, rolling out the feature in dozens of European countries, and making it even more powerful by letting you choose what type of fuel your car runs on.
Originally launched in the US and Canada last year, the feature will highlight routes that consume less energy if they have a similar arrival time to other alternative routes. Google says it’s rolling out to users in “nearly 40” European countries starting today, including France, Ireland, Poland, Spain and the UK. (It was introduced in Germany last month.)
Google is also adding the ability to let Maps know if your car has a diesel, gas, hybrid or electric powertrain so it can find the most efficient route for your specific vehicle type and provide more accurate estimates of how much more efficient the eco – friendly route. The system is based on information from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) of the US Department of Energy and the European Environment Agency, combined with Google Maps trends to train machine learning models based on the most popular engines in certain regions.
Using an example from Google’s blog post, it could mean that people with diesel-powered vehicles are guided along a high-speed highway where their engines are most efficient, while someone with a hybrid or electric vehicle can get suggestions, including streets on the road. surface where they can take better advantage of regenerative braking.