Google Maps is a mapping and navigation application, which is one of the most used by people worldwide. Basically, the app shows us how to get from point A to point B, by any possible form of transport like car, bike, train or even by foot. We can choose if we would like to get there as soon as possible, for example using toll roads, avoiding traffic jams or if time does not matter to us as much and we would like to save some money using national roads.
Recently Google introduced to us a new feature on their app, which is eco-friendly routes. This function helps us to choose the most environmental friendly route based on fuel consumption. All we have to do is to set our destination, then open options in the Google Maps app and look for ,,Prefer fuel-efficient routes” option. After enabling that, we only need to set which type of fuel our car uses, and we’re done. According to Google, this feature is available in almost 40 countries in Europe including Poland and by using it we lower our expenses on fuel, which is expensive at the moment and reduce CO2 emissions like in the United States of America and Canada, where that system was already successful reducing half million metric tons of CO2, which compares to removing 100 thousand cars from the roads. This is not the first time when Google encourages people to go more eco-friendly. They already have complex cycling routes and paths for pedestrians, a system helping to get to our destination using public transport or an option showing us where the closest EV (electrical vehicle) charging stations are located. All of this is a part of the Google campaign for this year which is to make people consider their choices and choose those that are more eco-friendly.
I think this a superb idea in an important issue. We have to remember that environmental problems are relevant to all of us and every initiative that tries to fix them does matter on a grand scale. I am looking forward to seeing more companies following the same path.
Sources:
https://polska.googleblog.com/2022/09/nowa-funkcja-wyznaczania-tras.html
In my opinion, i agree with using google map application as a good helper to lead our destination and save our time. Its function also easy to access and help to reduce CO2 which is one of the main factors of air pollution. However, this application uses internet to find the way to destination that might make people get lost sometime.
I think Google map is a great tool for finding a perfect route destination, and such an eco-friendly feature is a good idea.
I genuinely believe that the introduction of this new function by Google Maps will be fruitful and will incentivise a sufficient number of people to contribute to our planet’s health. It is obvious that it will take considerable time to transform this eco-friendly function into leverage since many people simply idle to invest their time into changing their way of living and habits. Nevertheless, other companies should take the example of Google Maps and introduce their own stimuli for society thus enhancing the eco-friendliness of the population.
It’s nice to see companies like Google bringing environmental issues to the attention of people and offering us their solution. Unfortunately, since green choices may seem small on an individual level to a fairly large number of people, they would probably be more likely to choose a route based on convenience or time savings. However, we are definitely on the right track and I genuinely hope that such a feature can actually lead to significant results in the future.
It is very interesting and joyful to watch how the big giants, according to Google’s plan, began to innovate, thinking about environmental problems, showing an example to other companies and people. In fact, I have been using Google maps for a very long time, but I have not seen this before and this is something new for me. Yes, perhaps not all people will use it, putting time or convenience first. But I am sure that there will always be those people who will take care of the environment.