For more than 20 years, Webfleet, Bridgestone’s fleet management solution, has been offered to fleet managers, including installation hardware, to help them manage their fleets more efficiently – regardless of the manufacturer’s brand. Since 2020, Mercedes-Benz Connectivity Services has been part of Webfleet’s OEM.connect programme. What makes it unique is that the platform accesses the OEM's factory-installed OEM telematics hardware to obtain vehicle data.
But the development shows: more and more fleet operators worldwide are opting for electric vehicles. Their operation requires an optimized overview, especially of aspects such as battery status and charging options. The Webfleet fleet management solution for electric vehicles already offers a suitable solution, but so far only on the basis of the necessary retrofit hardware.
The new milestone: since September 2023, Mercedes-Benz electric vehicles can be connected to the Webfleet fleet management solution without the need for installation of additional hardware (retrofit solution). Thanks to the integration of our OEM vehicle diagnostics and vehicle status data.
Easier access to electric vehicle data without additional hardware installation? Webfleet’s Electric Vehicle Fleet Management Solution (FMS) now provides its customers with this convenience for Mercedes-Benz electric vehicles.
The new option of accessing data from electric vehicles via standard connectivity automatically expands the target group for Webfleet. Companies that cannot or do not want to take their Mercedes-Benz electric vehicles out of operation for a hardware installation can now also benefit. Nevertheless, Webfleet enables the parallel management of Mercedes-Benz electric vehicles with factory-fitted data interface and electric vehicles from other manufacturers that still require a retrofit solution.
Paul Verheijen, Vice President of Product Strategy & Partnerships at Webfleet: "Businesses across the world use Webfleet to help improve fleet efficiency, support drivers, boost safety, stay compliant and work more sustainably. Over the past year, Webfleet has seen significant growth in the number of EVs in our installed base. So, more business owners and fleet managers are embracing the major opportunity EVs offer. Together with Mercedes-Benz Connectivity Services, we are creating new value for these businesses, highlighting the importance of telematics data to making an effective transition to electric mobility and running a productive electric fleet."
In this context, data protection is a high priority for both Webfleet and for us, as we are aware that the secure and responsible handling of data is the basis for the acceptance of connected driving. Fleet operators always remain in control of their own data.
The ability to quickly and easily access near real-time OEM data by entering the vehicle identification number is a key benefit of the connect your business API.
Whether for ICEs, PHEVs or EVs, our flexible connect your business data packages available to partners such as Webfleet cover the following areas: driving behaviour, vehicle health, mileage, parking events, ignition status, door and window status, trip mileage, trip position, alarming and anti-theft, driving and speed, fuel and consumption, charging, position, tyres, and remote commands such as preconditioning. Within these data packages, partners can access the individual data points, signals and commands, which can then be integrated into their fleet management solutions.
For its Electric Vehicle FMS, Webfleet is now integrating data points from the charging and fuel and consumption data packages. These newly added data points for Mercedes-Benz electric vehicles provide an overview of the range, the remaining charging time, the current battery status and more - described in more detail in the following section.
In the future, Webfleet will be able to respond even more individually and flexibly to customer requests – for example, with data packages that contain only the data points that the customer wants. Imagine, for example, fleet operators who only want to keep an eye on the battery status and remaining range of their electric vehicles – without having to activate GPS tracking.
In short, the use of OEM vehicle data is developing rapidly but is far from complete. It remains exciting to see how the further advances will drive diverse and innovative fleet management offerings by telematics providers.
Whether for Mercedes-Benz electric vehicles – now without additional hardware installation – or for retrofitted vehicles from other manufacturers, the Webfleet Electric Vehicle FMS product gives fleet managers an overview of their electric vehicles from their desks.
Webfleet is Bridgestone’s globally trusted fleet management solution. Businesses across the world use it to improve fleet efficiency, support drivers, boost safety, stay compliant and work more sustainably. For more than 20 years it has been empowering fleet managers with data-driven insights that help them optimise their operations.
Webfleet embraces Bridgestone Mobility Solutions’ mission to move the world towards a sustainable future with data-driven mobility solutions and contributes towards the delivery of The Bridgestone E8 Commitment. This broad, global corporate commitment clearly defines the value Bridgestone is promising to deliver to society, customers and future generations in eight focus areas; Energy, Ecology, Efficiency, Extension, Economy, Emotion, Ease and Empowerment. These provide a compass to guide strategic priorities, decision-making and actions throughout every area of the business.