Google’s map program now offers more environmentally friendly routes in Finland as well.
Maps offers more environmentally friendly routes in Maps. AOP / Janiko Kemppi
Google has brought more environmentally friendly car routes to Google Maps users in Europe, which were previously only available in the United States, Canada and Germany.
Finnish users can now select the type of fuel or motive power of their vehicle from Google Maps. Based on this, the map application shows both the fastest and most efficient route, unless the most efficient route is also the fastest. In this way, the motorist can potentially save on fuel or electricity costs.
Google says in its press release that there is a demand for Maps’ new feature in Finland, as Finns’ interest in searching for environmentally friendly route options is growing.
– When comparing July 2021 to July of this year, approximately 45 percent more public transport routes, a little over 30 percent more walking routes and 20 percent more cycling routes have been searched for in Google Maps in Finland. The growth for routes driven by car was just under ten percent, Google’s press release says.
Environmentally friendly routes will be added to Maps during September. At the time of writing, the feature was not yet available on Samsung or iPhone, but according to Google, it may take a few days for all users to see the feature.
This is how you enable environmentally friendly routes from the route instructions
- Open the Google Maps app on your mobile device.
- Search for a destination or tap it on the map.
- Tap in the bottom left corner Directions.
- Tap from the top right corner three points and then Route options.
- Enable Prefer fuel-efficient routes or disable it.
This is how you enable environmentally friendly routes by default
- Open the Google Maps app.
- Tap your profile picture or your initials.
- choose Settings and then Navigation settings.
- Scroll Route optionsto and then tap Prefer fuel-efficient routes.
Google says it calculates fuel efficiency using data provided by the US Department of Energy.
– Factors affecting fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are taken into account in the calculation, such as the average fuel consumption of vehicles in your area, the steepness of the hills on your route, the volume of traffic and the types of roads (e.g. local roads or highways).
According to Google, the most fuel-efficient route is shown in Maps when the arrival time is approximately the same as the fastest route. If the fuel savings are too little or the route significantly increases the driving time, Maps shows the relative fuel savings of the routes, which makes comparison easier.