AUTONEWS

Google Maps wants drivers to save gas

The new Google Maps feature helps users find a more fuel-efficient route, a navigation option the company says can help save drivers money.

Small leaves only appear on the screen when you choose your destination in the free app, tap Routes, and select the car icon for driving directions. Adjust your settings by clicking on the three dots in the upper right corner, then on “route options” and turn the toggle switch on or off next to fuel-efficient routes.

When enabled, Maps suggests fuel-saving routes by default when arrival times are similar to less efficient routes. If you turn it off, you'll still see the leaves option on the screen, but Maps will suggest the fastest route (or whatever meets the other parameters you've set, like avoiding tolls, highways, or ferries). It could be that the fastest and fuel-efficient routes are the same, for example.

When choosing one of these potentially greener routes, Maps will show you how much fuel it thinks you'll save. For example, on a 35-minute trip, Google estimates that 9% of fuel would be saved compared to a traditional route, according to tests conducted by Popular Science.

Google calculates its fuel-optimized routes using artificial intelligence and data from the US Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and those paths generally have fewer hills, less traffic and constant speeds, according to the company.

Due to the way Google launches new features, this tool is only available in the United States for now, but should reach other countries throughout 2022. The company has not confirmed whether Brazil is on the list.