Google has launched two new search features based on the International Energy Agency’s data, analysis, and guidance.
The first feature is a fuel cost calculator that provides users with an estimate of an electric or traditional vehicle’s yearly cost of ownership based on its energy consumption. The tool, which appears alongside organic search results when someone looks for information about a traditional or an electric vehicle, is available in a range of countries including the United Kingdom.
The second feature allows users to compare home heating systems across their cost, lifespan and energy efficiency. The tool appears alongside organic results for search terms such as ‘heat pumps’ or ‘air conditioning’. It is currently available in the United States, based on data from EnergyStar and Energy.gov, and in France, based on IEA data, with plans to launch in additional countries in Europe in the coming months.
IEA Executive Director Dr Fatih Birol, said:
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. As inflation pushes up the cost of living in many countries, it’s essential for consumers to have the information they need to make smart choices that can help their finances and the planet. The IEA’s work supports these efforts by providing objective and unrivalled data and analysis.
In September, the IEA announced that the pathway to limiting global average temperature rise to 1.5 °C had narrowed over the previous two years but that it remained open thanks to the tremendous growth in key clean energy technologies. It warned, however, that to address the threat of climate change, momentum needs to increase rapidly in many areas.
