Google Maps, a widely used navigation app globally, has expanded its ‘fuel saving’ feature to India. Initially launched in September 2022 in the US, Canada, and Europe, this feature is designed to provide fuel or energy efficiency estimates for different routes based on the vehicle’s engine type. By considering real-time traffic and road conditions, Google Maps can suggest the most fuel-efficient route, which may not always be the quickest.
How Does the Feature Work?
The fuel saving feature in Google Maps takes into account the type of engine in your vehicle. When enabled, it not only shows the quickest route but also identifies the most fuel or energy-efficient option. This could mean different suggestions for diesel, petrol, hybrid, or electric vehicles.
Disabling the Feature
If you choose to disable this feature, Google Maps will focus on providing the fastest route without considering fuel efficiency. However, the app will still display fuel or energy-efficiency estimates and a green leaf icon to indicate the most efficient route among the options.
Enabling the Feature
To enable the fuel-efficient routing, follow these steps:
- Open Google Maps on your smartphone.
- Tap your profile picture or initial.
- Go to Settings, then tap on Navigation.
- Scroll to “Route options” and select “Prefer fuel-efficient routes.”
- Choose your engine type under “Engine type.”
Using the Feature
To use the feature:
- Open Google Maps and search for your destination or tap it on the map.
- Tap Directions in the bottom left.
- Swipe up on the bottom bar and tap “Change engine type.”
- Select your engine type and tap Done.
Things to Keep in Mind
- If you don’t specify an engine type, petrol will be the default.
- The most fuel-efficient route suggestion varies based on the engine type.
- For EVs, energy-efficient routes don’t include stops to charge.
