Fiat and Microsoft Introduce “EcoDrive”

11 September 2007

Fiat Group Automobiles and Microsoft unveiled “Eco Drive”, a data-collection and transmission system designed to gather vehicle efficiency data and analyze car performance and driver style.

EcoDrive collects all necessary data relating to vehicle efficiency and, through Blue&Me’s USB gate, transmits it into a standard USB key. The driver plugs this into a PC. The EcoDrive system presents the driver with detailed environmental performance of the car including the CO₂ emission level for each trip. It analyses the driver’s style and then provides tips and recommendations on how to modify style to achieve CO₂ reductions and save money on fuel.

EcoDrive will encourage the driver to set self-challenges such as CO2 reduction targets for specific journeys or over a set period of time. A community site will encourage all drivers to come together and pool their savings, working towards much bigger collective targets and showing that a lot of small contributions join to have a large impact.

EcoDrive will be available from 2008 in certain Fiat cars equipped with the Blue&Me system.  Blue&Me, first introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in 2006, is an automotive telematic solution based on Windows Mobile for Automotive.