Google Maps' new directions point you to the &8216;cleanest&8217; route

Google Maps is sprucing up its app, and one of the new looks is an eco-friendly route option. And no, that doesn't just mean biking or e-scooting somewhere.

Taking into consideration road conditions and topography along with traffic and congestion, Google Maps will offer an eco-route with a lower carbon emission. Sometimes the most fuel-efficient way will be the fastest or comparable, so Google Maps will default to that option. But if the eco-friendly way is a bit slower, you'll be able to see how much more you'd be polluting to shave a few minutes off your journey.

Google Maps partnered with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to help make the calculations with a new mapping model. It estimates carbon emissions for the typical vehicle in a region on different routes, taking into account things like steep hills or heavy traffic. The eco-routes will be on iOS and Android phones later this year starting in the U.S.  Read more...