With fuel prices continuing to rise, long drives can be very expensive. But you can significantly reduce your fuel consumption thanks to a little-known option in Google Maps.
Today it is difficult to do without Google Maps, the maps and directions application designed by Google. Every year it is enriched with new functions or well-thought-out options to facilitate our trips. The power of the American giant's algorithms provides many services to improve all trips, but they are not always highlighted well enough to take advantage of them.
This is the case for a function that nevertheless allows you to save money when traveling by car. By indicating the starting point and the destination point, Google Maps calculates the route taking into account the consumption required for the trip. To do this, the application relies on topographic data (such as hills on the road), but also the different speed limits imposed and the prediction of traffic jams based on traffic history.
Google Maps can therefore determine the route that saves the most fuel, which also reduces CO2 emissions. The travel distance may be longer than usual, and the time it takes to reach your destination may be longer, but it may be worth it. If we are to believe Google's tests, it is sometimes possible to save up to 30% of fuel. Please note: However, Google warns that this option is not available for distances of less than 5 kilometers. The display of other available routes remains. So you can choose the one that suits you best.
Don't look for an activation button on the map displayed in Google Maps: the option to create a fuel-efficient route can be found in the app settings. It is available on both Android and iOS (iPhone). Open Google Maps on your smartphone and tap on your avatar icon at the top right. Select Settings then Navigation and sailing or Navigation settings.Then scroll down to the section Road Options and turn on the switch Prefer fuel-efficient methods.
From now on, when you search for a route to get somewhere, the most fuel-efficient route will be indicated by a small green leaf. Tap on it to select it and then pull up the information drawer at the bottom of the screen for more details. Google Maps then shows you how much fuel (expressed as a percentage) you’ve saved.
In the settings, you can of course indicate the type of engine of your car: diesel, gasoline, hybrid or electric. For the latter, Google plans to indicate open and free charging stations on the map in the coming weeks. Practical. To save even more money on your trips, you can also ask Google Maps to show you routes where there are no tolls or even no highways or ferries. The trip will undoubtedly be longer, but more economical!
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