Fleet briefs: Latest news from ABAX, Mina, Thinkware and Goodyear

ABAX £1m software update released

ABAX has announced the launch of its new next-generation software.

The company said the new software is ‘intuitive’ and has a ‘user-friendly’ interface and the frontend will allow ABAX to develop process-driven applications with user-centric business workflows, the company said.

Over the past three years, ABAX has hired 25 new developers and invested around £1 million to launch the update.

Paul Walsh, chief technology officer at ABAX, said: “We are committed to giving our customers access to the best experiences possible, with our focus being on solving actual problems our customers are facing and providing real value to them. We believe that investing in our technology is crucial to match our company strategy.”

The new architecture is part of ABAX’s growth strategy making the application more maintainable and ready for future growth, it said.

“As ABAX expands into new verticals, our new architecture enables us to easily expand our product offering. There are several exciting SaaS launches to come within 2022,” Walsh said.

Mina expands Chargepass network in partnership with InstaVolt

Mina have entered a partnership with InstaVolt to include the Chargepass fleet offering.

The network is expected to grow by a further 500 charge points in the next 12 months, as part of the partnership.

The company also has plans to introduce higher powered chargers into its network later this year, capable of charging at speeds up to 160kW.

Ashley Tate, chief executive officer (CEO) and co-founder at Mina, said: “Minimising downtime while charging in public is the number one priority for fleet operators.

"Our partnership with InstaVolt now gives our Chargepass customers access to the most liked and most reliable network in the UK and further reduces the risk of drivers not being able to charge during busy periods.”

Thinkware launches fleet management system

Thinkware has announced the launch of its new fleet management system (FMS), Thinkware Connected Service. 

Launching at the UK’s Commercial Vehicle Show, the Connected Service is available on the Q1000 and T700 dash cams.

Features of the system include Thinkware Remote Live View which enables users to view real-time footage of their vehicles in both ‘continuous recording mode’ and ‘parking mode’.

In the event of an accident, the SOS emergency contact messaging feature will automatically communicate with the registered emergency contact number via SMS.

The SMS contains the vehicle location on Google maps and a short video clip of the event.

Real-Time Parking Impact detection notifies the driver via the app of any impact while parked. The dash cam will save footage 10 seconds before and after impact that can be accessed remotely via the mobile and PC applications.

Thinkware Vehicle Status and Driving History monitors the vehicle’s motion status, including vehicle battery voltage check. It also monitors driving history, with data analytics on driving behaviour and travel history with date, time, and distance of journeys.

Other features include photo transmission of the last parking location through the dash cam’s front and rear-view cameras, multi-device location tracking, the possibility to remotely share a driving route, safe driving data updates that alert the driver to potential forward collisions, vehicle departure and lane departures and alerts of the UK safety camera locations, using a database provided by its partner Cyclops.

Goodyear enhances Total Mobility solution

Goodyear is integrating its technologies within its Total Mobility solution to help ease the digital transformation of fleets.

Both FleetHub and TechHub are connecting data points from different systems, presenting available tyre health data in one place.

TechHub is an integrated solution and installation app for Goodyear tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) and Goodyear DrivePoint.

Goodyear said the new app supports technicians on the installation of the smart tyre monitoring system set-up while implementing standards facilitating the correct working of the system.

Goodyear is also updating its fleet manager platform which integrates all available tyre health data in an online and mobile overview.

Within the advanced FleetHub, customers access data from Goodyear TPMS, Goodyear Checkpoint (Drive-Over-Reader) and Goodyear DrivePoint.

For CheckPoint users, FleetHub brings an online user interface including mobile applications available to operators.

Piotr Czyzyk, MD proactive solutions and fleet Europe at Goodyear, said: “With data intelligence becoming an increasingly important component of business, having a single hub and integrated data overview will further accelerate fleet efficiency and create direct added value for managers using the service.

“As a trusted mobility partner, Goodyear is at the forefront of developing integrated systems that simplify the user experience and ease our customers’ digital transformation process.”

Element 2 and Electra Commercial Vehicles announce partnership

Element 2, the hydrogen refuelling business, has signed a partnership agreement with zero-emission vehicle provider Electra Commercial Vehicles (Electra), to provide a supply of hydrogen gas and the associated refuelling infrastructure to Electra and its Fuel Cell vehicle customers.

In addition to offering a turnkey solution for hydrogen supply, Element 2 will also provide technical and logistical support to both Electra, and its current and prospective clients, as they plan and/or scope out hydrogen refuelling solutions.

While the letter of intent (LOI) covers Electra’s operations in the UK and Ireland initially, it may be extended to other geographic regions as and when Electra expands in the future.

Tim Harper, CEO of Element 2, said: “The partnership announcement marks an important step towards decarbonising the UK’s road transport with hydrogen, as we blend our supply and refuelling expertise with Electra’s market-leading vehicles.

“Our collaboration is designed to grow and develop the British hydrogen market further and faster, and we firmly believe that only by working together can we reach those vital net-zero targets.”

Sid Sadique, chairman at Electra Commercial Vehicles, added: “The strategic partnership with Element 2 enables Electra to supply clean hydrogen to any site in the UK, removing barriers to entry and helping our clients transition to zero-emission Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles.

“We are excited to partner with Element 2. Together, we are the first in the UK to deliver a complete and holistic hydrogen transport solution.”