It might sound fanciful, but it’s true: blockchain technology may well underpin your fleet and your future mobility requirements.
Now, don’t back because this sounds too technical. Because as you know, me and technology are not always the best bedfellows. So let me explain.
Blockchain is essentially a highly secure form of ledgers – blocks of information – that are securely recorded with a timestamp.
And while blockchain is critical in cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin, it does have much wider applications. (And not just in the dark web I hasten to add.)
For example, automotive technology supplier ZF has already produced a product called Car eWallet. Now, ZF describes this as an open automotive transaction platform that can be used for mobility-related services.
It’s currently under development with heavyweights UBS and IBM – so it looks a serious play.
Car eWallet can make and accept payments easily and safely while drivers are on the go. For example, charging up an electric vehicle.
ZF is also investigating its potential in autonomously driven vehicles which will need to make on-the-go payments themselves.
The beauty of Car eWallet, though, lies in the fact that is based on IBM blockchain technology. This makes it possible to synchronize the information of each user in a network in a reliable and unchangeable data record. At the same time, it ensures that users only have access to the information that they are permitted to see and use.
Clever, eh?
So you can start to see how blockchain technology can play a part in future fleet. Partly because it allows for portional management of assets. So, your pool car could be shared with a number of other companies – and blockchain technology would record time of use and the amount to be charged to your fleet’s mobility account. Securely. With a time stamp.
Indeed, ZF is one of the founding partners of something called MOBI – or Mobility Open Blockchain Initiative – that was formed in the first week of May at the Future Blockchain Summit, held in Dubai.
It’s a serious operation. BMW, Ford, General Motors, Groupe Renault and Bosch are all involved.
The aim of MOBI is to encourage the development of an ecosystem where businesses and consumers have security and sovereignty over their driving data, particularly in areas such as managing ride share and car sharing.
It makes for a fascinating glimpse of how fleet mobility will work in the future.
Ford’s VP of Mobility Product Solutions reckons that “blockchain will transform the way people and businesses interact, creating new opportunities in mobility.” Who am I to disagree.
It’s a glimpse of fleet’s future – and I like it.
It might sound fanciful, but it’s true: blockchain technology may well underpin your fleet and your future mobility requirements. Now, don’t back because this sounds too technical. Because as you know, me and technology are not always the best bedfellows. So let me explain. Blockchain is essentially a highly secure form of ledgers – blocks … Continued
I know I tend to talk about cars and car-fleet related issues in this blog. But that doesn’t mean I’m not keen on light commercial vehicles too. I am. We lease and fleet manage plenty of vans. In fact, they are becoming an increasingly significant part of our fleet. Their role is critical, something to … Continued
I won’t go too hard on you. But WLTP. Yes, more autospeak. However, you need to get used to it I’m afraid. The reason for this is all good – it’s to give you a much clearer and more realistic view of what the fuel consumption may be of your chosen car. After all, … Continued
Making that leap into the electric world of motoring is daunting. Of that I have no doubt. There’s much to consider, particularly for fleets: recharging infrastructure both at work and at home; range – is an electric vehicle (EV) viable and fit for purpose; and what about vehicle availability? These are not inconsiderable questions. And … Continued
I know there’s much talk about Artificial Intelligence (AI) at the moment. About how AI will supplant humans, blue and white collar alike. But, as so often is the case, this is only so much scaremongering. As ‘Flippy’, the AI robot – introduced by a fast food burger chain – found out, reality doesn’t always … Continued
We do charity BIG here at Fleet Alliance. It’s fundamental to the way we do business as a company. ‘Fleet Alliance loves’ is what we call it, and the manifestations are varied and wonderful. Last year, the Fleet Alliance people were, typically, unstinting in their charitable efforts. The staff raised an awe-inspiring £100,204. Which tore … Continued
So, here’s a conundrum. The CO2 emissions from new cars are better (ie lower) than those that they replace. On average, new and updated models in 2017 emitted -12.6% less CO2 than those that they replaced. Turning to new vans, the CO2 emissions of these were lower as well – by -4.8% – reaching a … Continued
The latest official stats from the SMMT on January new car sales make for thoughtful reading. No doubt you’ve read the media headlines – plunging car sales and diesel in decline with a 25% fall. SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes admitted that the drop in new diesel car registrations was concerning, but he believed consumers … Continued
You really know the world is changing when one of London’s black cab drivers swaps out of his iconic diesel cab into an all-new green cab. David Harris is the green convert, collecting the keys to the first LEVC (London EV Company) TX electric taxi to hit London’s streets. The TX is a range extender … Continued
Welcome to the New Year! I trust you all had an excellent festive break and are feeling refreshed and ready to tackle whatever the New Year of 2018 may bring. For fleets I think there are some certainties about what we can expect. Here’s my five for the future in 2018. Low emission goes … Continued