Google Maps, Apple Maps, Waze: Government wants to make GPS apps more environmentally friendly

Recognized by the government as one of the main sources of CO2 emissions, the car is in the manager’s field of vision for a while. Proof of this is this series of measures that will soon affect our use of GPS applications. The idea is, first of all, to make drivers aware of their impact on the environment and at the same time to encourage them to drive. Adopt best practices.

Therefore, applications will need to be submitted initially calculate an estimate of the amount of greenhouse gases and other pollutants released into the atmosphere with each trip. This figure will appear for all means of transportation offered, not just for the car. In fact, it will therefore be a matter of incentives. least polluting routes and means of transportation through the interface.

Government wants to make changes to GPS apps to encourage French people to be more environmentally friendly

Not content with failing to impose a 110 km/h speed limit on highways, the government continues this idea through GPS applications that it will soon introduce. Alternatives that reduce the maximum speed by 20 km/h, thus CO2 emissions are reduced. But then the problem arises due to the overloading of some village roads, which some municipalities flagged after numerous complaints from residents.

The government answers this as follows: “In order not to encourage mass use of secondary roads for transit traffic”, GPS apps will only offer these alternative routes if they allow you to. Reduce total travel time by at least 10% compared to “to a route that maximizes the use of non-secondary roads”. Ultimately, the government hopes to no longer need to offer these second routes.

Additionally, applications must be viewed compulsorily by next December. “All data regarding the bike network, carpool areas and parking”. Note that Apple Plans currently plans to display a lot of information about electric bikes. Google Maps, on the other hand, decided to focus on electric cars by calculating special routes taking into account charging stations.

Applications will be able to use the Transport.gouv.fr site database to access this information. They will also need to do the same for all public transportation and shared vehicles, especially electric scooters, by the end of 2023. Finally, the second should also be displayed various prevention messages regarding the routes available to drivers.

“Prefer walking or cycling for short trips.”, “Accelerating from 130 km/h to 110 km/h on the highway reduces your consumption by 20%”, Here are some examples of sentences we might see on our screens while driving. Also, hashtag #MoveLessPollute will accompany these messages after appearing in car commercials.

Then, from 1 June 2023, certain other information regarding environmental protection must also be submitted. “easily accessible” For users liketraffic restrictions Following pollution peaks in certain areas. Low Emission Zones (ZFE) They will join the system as it develops in France in the coming years.