Google maps to offer "eco-friendly" navigation options

Google Maps is introducing new features to make it easier for drivers to choose eco-friendly options, the company announced Tuesday. The move is part of the company's stated commitment to reduce humanity's carbon emissions.

"Soon, Google Maps will default to the route with the lowest carbon footprint when it has approximately the same ETA as the fastest route," Dane Glasgow, vice president of product at Google Maps, wrote in a blog post. In cases where choosing an "eco-friendly" route would add travel time, Google Maps will show both options along with the estimated carbon footprint of each. Google's suggestions will use estimates from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory as well as information on traffic congestion or the known incline of a road to come up with carbon-footprint estimates, Glasgow wrote.