We need all the aid we can get to figure out the most cost-effective environmental technology in the face of record heatwaves and dangerous flooding around the planet. Google has unveiled a number of sustainability efforts aimed at electric vehicles, household energy, city planning, and safety.
Google’s new feature for EV buyers
For starters, Google is offering more insight into if an EV is correct for you and, if so, which one. The new Fuel Cost Calculator, which covers 21 nations, removes the element of surprise from the potential savings of an electric vehicle by providing an estimate of the annual charging cost in comparison to the cost of fuel for a gasoline-powered vehicle of the same size. Searches like “best electric cars” in the United States should now include comparison options for criteria like range and pricing. Find out what sorts of tax breaks and other benefits the government offers.
A similar tool that takes into account elevation changes and charging stations along a given route in the United States will be available in the coming weeks. In early 2024, Google intends to roll out the feature across Europe.
Your domestic energy data retrieval is also being modernized. You should be able to compare energy efficiency ratings and rebates when shopping for a new heater or air conditioner.
Google is increasing resources like the Flood Hub in response to an uptick in natural disasters. Already accessible in 80 nations, the platform will soon be accessible in over 800 riverbank areas in the United States and Canada. To further aid in training firefighters and planning for difficult battles, Google has collaborated with the US Forest Service to apply machine learning for a comprehensive upgrade to the organization’s fire spread model.
With a new Google Earth tool showing the solar flux of any given building per year, Google is further expanding its sway over urban development decisions. Meanwhile, a Cool Roofs tool outlining where Cool Roof integration could be most useful will soon be accessible in 15 locations across the world.
