Google Maps working on energy efficient routes for hybrids, EVs

Google Maps has now become a must-have when driving around. Its main function is to get you from point A to point B in the quickest way possible. This was the app’s premise when it debuted. As the years went by, the app has also evolved in various ways and now comes with a new feature that may change the game. 

According to the 9TO5Google article, the app will now feature fuel-efficient routing and this will benefit electric vehicles and hybrids a lot. The website was able to decode some of the upcoming code and it seems Google has given EVs and HEVs a lot of consideration when coming out with this new feature.  

With this feature, users can input particular information about a vehicle's engine and the algorithm will help calculate the best route. Coupled with the manufacturers' car apps, Google Maps can also roughly calculate how much battery you will have left and even show you where you can supercharge your electric vehicle. 

The app is still in the beta phase as version 11.39 is still being tested and may only come out in the US, for now, as they have a very detailed map system stateside. But with Google mapping the whole world, we may be getting the beta version here soon for testing as well. 

The app won’t be fully released unless all the kinks have been ironed out but according to the same article, electric vehicles and hybrids will be the ones that will benefit from this feature the most. With that, range anxiety might slowly become a thing of the past.

Locally we still lack the infrastructure when it comes to owning and maintaining an EV but because of the recent spikes in petrol prices, a lot of people are heavily considering going electric. Local car companies are bringing in hybrid options, while some fully electric models are showing up on some of the company’s local websites and showrooms. The benefits are there and the technology is catching up, all we need locally is better urban planning and the right infrastructure to finally help minimize our carbon footprint and achieve zero emissions.