Goodyear in EV ride-sharing pilot programme

Akron, Ohio – Goodyear is collaborating on a pilot programme with Envoy Technologies, an electric-vehicle car-sharing service, aiming to minimise operational downtime for vehicle fleets.

Culver City, California-based Envoy is using Goodyear's predictive tire-servicing programme to forecast and schedule tire maintenance and replacement.

Goodyear gathers data from Envoy's connected vehicles and will use its proprietary artificial intelligence technology to predict maintenance.

Then the system automatically schedules service, which is done through Goodyear’s outlets and mobile vans.

Envoy's fleet managers can see its fleet's status, schedule maintenance and update appointments with Goodyear's on-demand scheduling programme, Goodyear said.

The goal is to minimise operational downtime for Envoy's fleet, the tire maker added.

Envoy, founded two years ago, offers on-demand, community-based electric vehicles and says a significant portion of its fleet is in disadvantaged communities.

The company has more than 100 vehicles on the roads, with 1,800 vehicles expected to launch soon in major metropolitan areas.

"Goodyear is extending its fleet services business model to shared mobility providers to improve urban fleet operations," Chris Helsel, Goodyear's chief technology officer, said.

A key point in this project, Helsel said, is that it links the tire maker's work in fleet management and intelligent products with its service network.