Blockchain trial brings hybrid-drive Transits to Cologne
The London trials have already shown how PHEVs offer a compelling solution for commercial vehicle owners in cities with low-emission zones. Now, in Cologne, Ford will also be investigating how innovative geofencing and blockchain technology could help to accurately track – and increase – the number of electric-only “green miles” driven by the vehicles.
In the trial, nine Ford Transit Custom Plug-In Hybrid vans and one Tourneo Custom Plug-In Hybrid people mover will work across five of the City of Cologne’s municipal fleets and be put to the test in a variety of real-world use cases.
Gunnar Herrmann, chairman of the management board, Ford-Werke GmbH.
“The blockchain technology we are testing here in Cologne enables secure, tamper-proof tracking and logging of vehicle emissions records, which makes it ideal for the PHEV pilot.”
In cities across Europe low-emission zones are being introduced to address air quality challenges by discouraging the most polluting vehicles from driving through them. These zones can present difficulties to the cities administering them, and to vehicle owners driving through them. That’s where Ford’s geofencing and blockchain technology pilot could help.
Each of the trial vehicles features a FordPass Connect on-board cellular modem and a plug-in device that enables the geofencing and blockchain capabilities. Blockchain is a data security technology that can be used to record permanent, time-stamped records that are saved across multiple computers; a geofence is virtual geographic boundary defined by GPS locations.
Whenever one of the trial vehicles enters a controlled zone its electric-drive mode is triggered and the zero-emission green miles driven are documented. The emissions mode and time that vehicles enter or leave a controlled zone are recorded to the blockchain, ensuring emissions data is safely stored and shared among relevant parties.
The first Ford commercial vehicle in its class to offer plug-in hybrid capabilities, the Ford Transit Custom is available to order now with first deliveries before the end of the year.
Each of the trial vehicles features a FordPass Connect on-board cellular modem and a plug-in device that enables the geofencing and blockchain capabilities. Blockchain is a data security technology that can be used to record permanent, time-stamped records that are saved across multiple computers; a geofence is virtual geographic boundary defined by GPS locations.
Whenever one of the trial vehicles enters a controlled zone its electric-drive mode is triggered and the zero-emission green miles driven are documented. The emissions mode and time that vehicles enter or leave a controlled zone are recorded to the blockchain, ensuring emissions data is safely stored and shared among relevant parties.
The first Ford commercial vehicle in its class to offer plug-in hybrid capabilities, the Ford Transit Custom is available to order now with first deliveries before the end of the year.
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