If you have had the chance to drive around Europe lately while using Google Maps, you might have noticed a small "Z" icon in your route details. Some drivers noticed this icon popping up in their route information and went online to ask what it represents. Well, it's not a zebra crossing icon, sadly, and it does not stand for "sleep mode," either. Google Maps is just warning you that your route is going through a low-emission zone.
More than 2 billion people use Google Maps every month to navigate around the globe. But with so many different countries having their own separate rules regarding driving, it's no wonder people are encountering icons that are completely new to them. Disregarding this icon, however, could bring with it a fine, so do not ignore it.
The "Z" marks a low-emission zone (LEZ) on your route. When planning a drive into the center of Amsterdam, for example, the icon appears under the trip time, right next to the line "Amsterdam Low Emission Zone on route." The app warns that vehicles that don't meet the emission standards will be fined, tells drivers to check if their car meets those standards and adds a link to the city's official page.
