In the future, traffic will not only be electric, it will also be networked. Korean manufacturer Hyundai uses the example of the new Ioniq 5 to demonstrate the role that individual cars could play in this.
With the launch of the Tesla Model S electric sedan in 2012, California-based e-pioneer Tesla added a unique selling point to the vehicle: free refueling. Exclusively for the brand's drivers, Tesla built a network of Supercharger charging stations where only they could charge their cars. In addition to the money saved, the Superchargers had another unbeatable advantage for Tesla drivers: no hassle with membership cards, annual subscriptions and PIN codes, just plug in and go.
Free charging is now a thing of the past; buyers of the newer Tesla models have to pay for their electricity when using a Supercharger. However, the vehicle still takes care of the billing itself - after connecting the charging cable, the car identifies itself at the charging station, and the money for the charged electricity is automatically debited. Mercedes offers a similar technology for the new EQS when it is charged at an Ionity charging station.
Parking, charging, pizza
The car pays for its own electricity - interpreting this as a new payment trend would perhaps be a bit premature if it weren't for Hyundai. The Korean manufacturer has taken the subject of in-car payment a step further. The new Hyundai Ioniq 5, which is being launched these days, can not only pay its own electricity bill, but also other things that occur while driving, such as parking fees or a pizza at the drive-in counter.
The basis for the payment function is Hyundai's Bluelink system. Bluelink is a subscription service that enables car-related services, from remote air conditioning control to workshop contracts. Bluelink also provides the basis for sharing the car: owners can create virtual keys on their smartphone and forward them to others. They can then use them to open and drive the Ioniq 5.
The app is replaced by the car
Hyundai has already partnered with pizzeria chain Dominos, parking lot charging app Parkwhiz and startup Chargehub for the in-car payment features it plans to launch in the U.S. in fall 2021. Chargehub charges for electricity at a variety of charging stations.
By integrating these services into Hyundai's Bluelink, vendor apps are replaced, purchases are selected through the car's digital entertainment system, and billing is done via the credit card whose data the owner has stored in Bluelink.
In the case of company cars, the electricity for driving and the parking ticket for parking can be billed via the same account that is used to pay the garage bill.
For more information about this topic, read our blog article: The networked car has long been a reality: Smartstore and Connected Car Commerce: The new ecosystem