Since 2022, certain GPS applications like Waze or Google Maps no longer systematically offer you the quickest route but on the other hand, favor more ecological journeys.
More ecological journeys offered by GPS
GPS applications are today used by many drivers, whether to find the route fastest or least expensive to go on a trip or even simply to avoid traffic jams during peak hours. However, a noticeable change has arisen recently in the way these applications calculate the most relevant routes.
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This change was following the adoption of a decreet (No. 2022-1119) in August 2022 by the French government aimed at encouraging drivers to adopt more environmentally friendly behavior. This aims in particular to strengthen the fight against pollution by various and varied means.
One of them consists of require GPS applications to favor ecological journeys rather than the fastest routes, by proposing routes that favor reduced speed or avoid roads where traffic is heavy, all with the aim of reduce the carbon footprint of vehicles.
This is why applications such as Google Maps or Waze no longer necessarily offer you the shortest routes but rather so-called “ecological” routes, which will not necessarily save you time but which will can help reduce your vehicle’s greenhouse gas emissions.
The choice is left to the driver
Even if the most ecological route is today most often the one proposed by default, users can still choose alternatives. The most used applications still allow the driver to compare different routes before starting their journey. So, the motorist will be able to select the route that best suits their needswhether it is the fastest or the most ecological.
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However, GPS applications do not only offer more responsible routes. These also broadcast awareness messages or advice such as “prefer walking or cycling for short journeys”, “limit your speed” or even “consider carpooling”, all with the aim ofencourage motorists to adopt more sustainable and environmentally friendly practices.
Alternative ecological routes, even if they are sometimes significantly longer, can in fact present a significant advantage in terms of fuel savings. For example, taking a road where the speed does not exceed 110km/h instead of a motorway limited to 130km/h could allow the driver tosave up to 20% fuel for the same destination!
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Even if this may seem quite trivial at first glance, this evolution in GPS applications is aimed at the long term. significant environmental benefits. Promote more responsible and less polluting driving practices contributes greatly to the fight against global warming by significantly reducing the greenhouse gas emissions of many motorists.
