Google to use Jaguar’s I-PACE EVs to build emissions map for Dublin

Google and Jaguar Land Rover have entered a partnership that will see the automaker’s electric cars outfitted with air quality measuring sensors and hardware for street view mapping. The two companies are doing this in collaboration with the city of Dublin for its Smart Dublin program.

The cars to be used are the all-electric Jaguar I-PACE, a first for Google. For a period of 12 months, the EVs will be used to measure and record the quality of air on Dublin streets. They will monitor nitrogen dioxide and carbon dioxide levels and also update Google Maps data for Dublin. The air sensors that will be used are made by Aclima. The data they collect will be researched by Google and its partners to develop maps of street-by-street pollution levels.

image source: Jaguar

An electric car is the obvious choice to use as it does not produce tailpipe emissions and the choice of Jaguar is a testament to the company’s commitment to environmental sustainability without compromising the quality and luxury it is known for. Explaining further, Elena Allen, Project Manager for Business Development at Jaguar said: The integration of Google Street View technology with the all-electric Jaguar I-PACE is the perfect solution for measuring air quality. We are delighted to support this project as it aligns with our own journey to becoming an electric-first business and achieving net-zero carbon by 2039. Partnerships like this are one of the ways we can achieve our sustainability goals and make a positive impact on society.”

Google had earlier in 2019 collaborated with the cities of Copenhagen and London to create street level pollution maps, with the Environmental Insights Explorer (EIE) unit of the internet search giant handling the projects. Preliminary maps show block-by-block details of the concentrations of black carbon and fine particles and it is already being used by architects and building designers in their construction projects.

Dublin plans to use the data to improve the city’s climate and health and also formulate its smart transit programs. Paddy Flynn, VP of Geo Operations at Google, said: “Air quality is a serious concern, especially for cities; but there is a gap in terms of localized data and insights available to both decision makers and citizens. As part of this project, we’re using technology to capture this important data and make it accessible so that together with Dublin City Council, we can drive solution planning.”