It is quite common to take long trips at Christmas time. Many people choose to avoid crowded airports and choose roads as an alternative. But long trips can get expensive if not well planned. The good news is that Google Maps can help in this regard.
How to save fuel with more efficient routes
Google Maps usually displays the most time-efficient route. However, this route not always the most economical in terms of fuel. Choosing the route that uses the least energy depends on the type of vehicle you drive.
For example, diesel vehicles are generally more efficient on highways, while hybrid and electric cars stand out in urban and mountainous areas, where braking recharges the battery.
Google Maps has a feature that takes these differences into account. When enabled, this option suggests the most fuel-efficient route, as long as the estimated travel time is similar. To check if this feature is active, follow these steps:
1. Open Google Maps and click your profile icon in the top right corner.
2. Go to "Settings".
3. Access "Navigation".
4. Drag down to "Route options", and activate the option "Prefer efficient routes".
5. Then click on "Your vehicles".
6. Finally, select the type of vehicle you drive: Gasoline, Diesel, Hybrid or Electric.
If your car supports charging, you can specify the adapter type.
Speed vs. economy
Consider a trip from Porto to Coimbra. Depending on the type of vehicle and time of day, the most efficient route may vary. Regardless of car, the fastest route during the middle of the day is about 75 miles and takes approximately 1 hour and 25 minutes. However, the most economical routes for each vehicle type differ:
- For gasoline and diesel cars, saving less than 1% on fuel may not justify an additional 7/8 minutes on the road.
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Casoilna
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Diesel
- For electric vehicles, taking a slightly slower and more direct route may be worth it, offering up to 6% savings in consumption.
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Hybrid
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Electric
This was just an example: the savings are not that significant. However, depending on your route, these can take considerable numbers.
Plan your electric charging to avoid setbacks
While charging an electric car is generally cheaper than fueling a gas-powered vehicle, finding available and compatible charging stations is another challenge. While on vacation, avoid these problems with Google Maps.
The platform can indicate charging stations along your route and ensure that only those compatible with your vehicle appear, as long as the settings are properly configured. You can also obtain important details about each station, such as availability and loading speed.
Sometimes it's tempting to take the quickest route, but if you're taking a slightly longer route, paying attention to these aspects can be beneficial.
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Source: pplware.sapo.pt
