Google Maps recently received a significant update. Users of Google Maps will be able to utilise the new function to determine the best fuel-efficient route based on the type of vehicle they have. Users of Google Maps can now select their vehicle’s engine type, such as petrol, diesel, hybrid, or electric vehicle (EV), to discover a route that consumes the least amount of fuel.
Diesel engines, for example, perform better at higher speeds than gasoline and diesel engines, while hybrid and electric vehicles perform better in stop-and-go traffic. Google Maps users may now choose their vehicle’s engine type to select a route that is more efficient for them. This path will be indicated on the maps by a leaf label.
Regarding availability, Google stated in a blog post that it will soon make this functionality available to users in the US, Canada, and Europe. There is information about the release date for this feature in different nations around the world.
More countries now have access to eco-friendly pathways.
In addition to the rolling out an upgraded version of its eco-friendly routing feature to Google Maps users in the US and Canada, Google also revealed that the eco-friendly routing feature that arrived the US last year will be available in over 40 countries throughout Europe.
In addition to displaying the fastest route, Google Maps will also show the one that uses the least amount of fuel, assuming one doesn’t already exist. With only a few taps, you can compare the relative fuel savings and travel time of the two routes and select the one that is most convenient for you, according to Google’s blog post.
— According to the firm, passengers can acquire directions to their location via bus, train, subway, or even boat simply pressing on the transport symbol under Directions. When accessible, the business added, “you can view real-time arrival and departure timings, transfers, and service delays.” Users can also get more details from Maps about how crowded their ride will be, the weather, and whether wheelchair-accessible routes are available.
For pedestrians, Google Maps provides turn-by-turn directions. Users can see a preview of their walking route when this is combined with Live View.
Tips for using Google Maps to travel more sustainably
Finally, Google provided some advice on how to make Google Maps more environmentally friendly. You may see them here:
— Commuters who drive electric cars may use Google Maps to search for “EV charging station” to view nearby charging stations and useful information like port types and charging speeds. They will also be able to see if a charger is currently available at select EV charging stations.
— Google also claimed that using Google Maps to navigate a city using bicycles or scooters is an alternative. In more than 500 locations worldwide, including Barcelona, Berlin, London, Paris, and Rome, you can locate nearby bike and scooter shares, according to Google.
Local Guides on Google
A volunteer initiative called Google Local Guides was started by Google Maps to allow its users to contribute to Google Maps. It occasionally offers workers extra bonuses and benefits in exchange for their work. As parts of the former application’s functionality were included into the website and mobile app, the programme serves as a partial replacement for Google Map Maker.
The programme entails adding testimonials, images, videos, and basic data while also updating information such as wheelchair accessibility.
Timelapse
A application called Globe Timelapse, which was released in April 2021, allows users to view how the earth has changed over the last 37 years. To create the 35 global cloud-free images for this programme, they combined the 15 million satellite images (roughly ten quadrillion pixels).