In a bid to enhance user experience and promote eco-friendly travel, Google Maps has extended its ‘fuel-saving’ feature to Indian users. Initially introduced in September 2022 for regions like the US, Canada, and Europe, this functionality has now been made available for the Indian audience.
How Does the Feature Work?
The innovative feature provides estimates of fuel or energy efficiency for various routes based on the user’s vehicle engine type. By enabling this option, Google Maps integrates fuel or energy efficiency considerations with real-time traffic and road conditions to suggest the most optimal and eco-friendly route. This means that, alongside identifying the fastest route, the app highlights the route that is most fuel or energy-efficient, even if it varies from the quickest option.
Disabling the Feature: What Changes?
When users choose to disable this feature, Google Maps focuses solely on delivering the fastest route without factoring in fuel or energy efficiency. Nevertheless, fuel or energy-efficiency estimates, based on the user’s engine type, and a green leaf icon continue to appear, emphasizing the most fuel or energy-efficient route among the alternatives.
How to Enable the Feature
To activate this eco-friendly routing feature, users can follow these steps:
1. Open the Google Maps app on your smartphone.
2. Tap your profile picture or initial.
3. Go to Settings and then tap on Navigation.
4. Scroll to “Route options.”
5. To turn on eco-friendly routing, tap “Prefer fuel-efficient routes.”
6. To choose your engine type, tap “Engine type” and select the appropriate option.
Using the Feature: A Step-by-Step Guide
1. Open the Google Maps app.
2. Search for your destination or tap it on the map.
3. In the bottom left, tap “Directions.”
4. In the bottom bar, swipe up.
5. Tap “Change engine type.”
6. Select your engine type.
7. Tap “Done.”
Important Considerations
It’s crucial to note that, if users don’t choose an engine type, petrol will be the default option, as it is the most common engine type in most countries, according to Google. Additionally, for electric vehicle (EV) owners, it’s important to be aware that energy-efficient routes for EVs won’t include stops for charging.
This addition to Google Maps reflects the company’s commitment to providing innovative and environmentally conscious solutions for its users.
