In response to the ongoing global energy crisis, which underscored the cost-effectiveness of clean energy technologies, Google has unveiled two groundbreaking search features.
In response to the ongoing global energy crisis, which underscored the cost-effectiveness of clean energy technologies, Google has unveiled two groundbreaking search features. These tools, built on data and insights from the International Energy Agency (IEA), aim to empower consumers in making informed decisions regarding electric vehicles and home heating options.
IEA Executive Director Dr. Fatih Birol emphasized, “Clean energy technologies are not only the sustainable choice but also increasingly the more affordable choice in many areas of our lives, from cars to home heating.”
The first of these tools is a fuel cost calculator, offering users estimates of yearly ownership expenses for electric and traditional vehicles based on energy consumption.
This tool is now available in a range of countries including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, and the United Kingdom.
The second search feature allows users to compare home heating systems in terms of cost, lifespan, and energy efficiency. It is accessible to users in the United States, drawing on data from EnergyStar and Energy.gov. Additionally, it is available in France based on IEA data, with plans for expansion into other European countries in the near future.
Electric vehicles and heat pumps, increasingly popular technologies, are pivotal in driving electrification and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Recent trends indicate that electric car sales are projected to constitute two-thirds of all new car sales by 2030, a critical milestone in achieving the Net Zero Emissions by 2050 Scenario.
Moreover, heat pump sales globally saw an 11% surge in 2022, with several markets in the European Union surpassing the necessary 20% annual growth rate needed to meet the Net Zero Scenario by 2030.
In the wake of the global energy crisis stemming from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Google introduced a search feature, leveraging IEA data and analysis, to help people comprehend the causes and consequences of the crisis, along with practical energy-saving measures. This tool, available in 29 European countries and 22 languages, reached an audience of 15 million.
In September, the IEA highlighted that the pathway to limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 °C had narrowed over the past two years, yet remained viable thanks to the remarkable expansion of crucial clean energy technologies. Nevertheless, the IEA cautioned that to effectively combat climate change, momentum must accelerate swiftly across various sectors.