A new free-to-use smartphone app has launched today to help drivers track vehicle carbon emissions and offset them in real-time.

As well as suggesting more efficient driving techniques, Karai also records journey data and uses it to recommend carbon emission reduction solutions

The Karai by Drive Key app is said to be the only app that tracks vehicle carbon emissions in real-time as well as eco driving behaviour scores and tips, based on actual driving data.

Created by vehicle Human-Machine Interface and vehicle technology specialist Conjure in partnership with Drive Key Corporation, the app uses DVLA data on any tailpipe emission-based registration based on g/km carbon usage to calculate actual emissions.

This, coupled with real-time driver data and behaviours, delivers transparent carbon emissions information.

Currently geared towards motorists with internal combustion engines, the app monitors users’ driving styles to calculate efficiency, provide an eco score, and recommend how to improve, empowering drivers by encouraging them to learn about eco driving and teaching them how to reduce their carbon footprint – it’s claimed to be able to cut carbon emissions by up to 25%.

As well as suggesting more efficient driving techniques, Karai also records journey data and uses it to recommend carbon emission reduction solutions, known as carbon offsets.

Data collated by the developers on different car models reveals the cost of carbon offsetting. For example, a Vauxhall Corsa would cost only £3.95 per month to offset 100% of emissions based on annual mileage of 6,000 miles or £7.91 for 12,000 miles annually. Running the Nissan Qashqai for up to 20,000 miles per year would cost less than £15 per month to offset and become carbon-neutral while a luxury SUV such as the Range Rover Sport costs just over £34 per month to offset for the same mileage.

“After two years of planning, data analysis and testing, we are absolutely thrilled to launch Karai today,” said Calin Saftoiu, chief executive officer of Drive Key Corporation. “Our initial focus is on helping drivers to reduce their emissions, and the efficient driving techniques that result from Karai’s recommendations can do so by up to 25%. In the same way a fitness app builds active habits, our vision for the app is to help driving more effectively become second nature to Karai users.”

The app is available now as a free download via the Apple App Store and for all other operating systems by summer 2022.