In 2021, Google initiated an ambitious mission with Google Maps aimed at reducing vehicle emissions and carbon footprints during navigation. The eco-friendly routes implemented proved successful, leading to a significant reduction in emissions equivalent to removing 500,000 vehicles from the road. Building on this success, Google announced a new feature for Google Maps this week: suggesting alternative travel modes when users search for directions. Here’s how it works:
When users search for navigation routes, Google Maps presents the route preview screen with ETA and traffic data. If an eco-friendly alternative exists, it will appear alongside the primary route. This update ensures that alternative travel modes are suggested only when they are comparable and practical in terms of travel time. This means users won’t see alternative modes that significantly increase their ETA.
However, if an alternative mode offers a comparable or slightly longer travel time, Google Maps will suggest options like walking or public transportation. This feature promotes environmentally friendly transportation choices without significantly extending travel times.
While some drivers may resist this feature, it aligns with global efforts to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable transportation practices. Google has not specified if users can disable this feature, but it will likely be enabled by default, gradually rolling out to 15 cities initially, including Amsterdam, Barcelona, London, Montreal, Paris, Rome, and Sydney. The feature will be available on both iPhone and Android devices, with potential limitations for Android Auto and CarPlay.
