How to record sustainable trips using your device’s GPS in Ecomiles

How to record sustainable trips using your device’s GPS in Ecomiles

This tutorial explains how to record your sustainable trips in the Ecomiles app using your device’s GPS. For every low-emission trip you take, you earn ecomiles that can be redeemed for rewards.

How it works

The Ecomiles app tracks your movement via GPS and calculates the positive environmental impact of each trip. When you choose more sustainable transportation—such as walking, cycling, public transit, electric vehicles, or ethanol-fueled vehicles—you earn ecomiles based on the distance traveled and the CO₂ you avoided emitting.

Prerequisites

Before starting a trip, make sure that:

• You already have an active account in the Ecomiles app
• Your device’s GPS is turned on
• The app has location permission enabled (ideally “Always” or “While using the app”)
• You have an internet connection (Wi‑Fi or mobile data)

Tip: For best tracking accuracy, keep GPS enabled for the entire trip and avoid fully force-closing the app.

Step 1 — Open the Home screen

When you open the app, you’ll see the Home screen with information like:

• Your ecomiles balance (total miles earned)
• Any expiration notice (if some miles are about to expire)
• Your current plan (Free or an active subscription)
• Featured benefits (rewards available to redeem)

At the bottom, find the navigation bar and tap “Trips” (or the main action button) to start a new recording.

Step 2 — Start a new trip

On the Trips screen, tap “Start trip” (or the play icon). The app will begin recording your location automatically via GPS.

Before starting, the app may ask you to:

1. Confirm location permission (if it hasn’t been granted yet)
2. Select your mode of transportation from the available options:

Tip: Choose the correct mode of transportation—this directly affects the CO₂ savings calculation and how many ecomiles you’ll receive.

Step 3 — Track your trip in progress

While your trip is being recorded, you’ll see real-time details such as:

• Elapsed time (e.g., 15:32)
• Distance traveled (e.g., 2.3 km)
• CO₂ saved (e.g., 340 g CO₂)
• Selected mode of transport (visual confirmation)
• Route map (GPS path on the map)

You can keep using your phone normally. The app can track in the background as long as location permission is configured correctly.

Important: Don’t force-close the app during the trip. This can interrupt recording and cause data loss.

Step 4 — End the trip

When you reach your destination, open the app and tap “Finish” (the red button). The app will process your trip and show a summary.

Step 5 — Review the trip summary

After finishing, you’ll see the Completed Trip screen with:

• Ecomiles earned (e.g., +12.5 ecomiles)
• Total distance (e.g., 4.2 km)
• Total time (e.g., 32 min)
• CO₂ saved (e.g., 620 g CO₂)

Your ecomiles are credited automatically to your balance and become available for reward redemption.

Eligible transport types

Ecomiles rewards transportation choices with lower environmental impact. Here’s how the categories typically work:

Tip: Trips using gasoline or diesel vehicles typically do not earn ecomiles, because they don’t represent emissions savings.

Tips for best results

• Keep GPS on for the entire trip to ensure accurate route recording.
• Avoid no-signal areas—tunnels and underground spaces can cause temporary tracking issues.
• Double-check your transport mode before starting—choosing the wrong mode can affect your rewards.
• Finish the trip when you arrive—very long trips without pauses may be flagged for review.
• Use the app regularly—the more sustainable trips you record, the more ecomiles you earn.

Trip history

All your trips are saved in your history, accessible from the Trips tab. There you can:

• See the list of recorded trips
• Open details for each trip (route, distance, CO₂, ecomiles earned)
• Track your progress over time

FAQ

Does the app work without internet?

GPS can work offline, but the app needs a connection to send trip data to the server. If you’re offline during the trip, the data should sync when your connection is restored.

Can I record trips by gasoline car?

No. Ecomiles rewards sustainable transportation that reduces CO₂ emissions.

Why wasn’t my trip recorded?

Check that GPS was enabled, location permission was granted, and you finished the trip properly. Very short trips (e.g., under ~200 m) may not be counted.

Can I edit a trip after it’s finished?

No. Trips can’t be edited after completion. If you notice an issue, contact support through the app.