Google Maps to introduce “environmentally friendly” navigation and low emission zone alerts
14 April 2021
Google Maps is set to introduce a new AI-driven model on Android and iOS in the US which will direct drivers to the most environmentally friendly route, based on fuel consumption, considering factors such as road inclines and congestion. We at Marshall Minibus leasing are delighted to see enterprises such as Google taking driver assistance a step further.
The move comes as part of Google’s pledge to be carbon free by 2030. The company will use insights from the US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Lab to develop the model.
Director of product at Google Russell Dicker said, “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 trade-off.”
Partner at consultancy firm Kearney Siddharth Pathak said, “This is a great example of three trends coming together – the data, sustainability and consumer choice.
“It will also push those on the fence to make a deliberate choice of speed over sustainability and often cost.”
Moreover, Google Maps will introduce a feature which will alert drivers to any nearby low emission zones in the UK, Germany, France, Spain and the Netherlands in June 2021.
A recent blog post from Google reads, “From Amsterdam to Jakarta, cities around the world have established low emission zones – areas that restrict polluting vehicles like certain diesel cars or cars with specific emissions stickers – to keep the air clean.
“To support these efforts, we’re working on alerts to help drivers better understand when they’ll be navigating through one of these zones.
“You can quickly know if your vehicle is allowed in the area, choose an alternative mode of transportation, or take another route.”
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