7 ways V2X connectivity transforms driving

Connected cars have gone mainstream – and the next step is fully autonomous vehicles. While this technology is very modern, the idea can be traced back centuries. 

In 1478, Leonardo da Vinci sketched a concept for a self-propelled cart – over 400 years before Carl Benz invented the automobile. Today, as we approach the quarter point of the 21st century, that vision is finally within reach. 

Like human drivers, autonomous vehicles must be “hyper-aware” of their surroundings to operate safely. This awareness is made possible through connectivity. More specifically, through Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) technology, which allows vehicles to communicate with other cars (V2V), road infrastructure (V2I), and even pedestrians (V2P), creating a connected network that ensures fully autonomous vehicles can operate on roads safely and efficiently.

“The connected car has moved far beyond just infotainment and navigation,” says Sönke Schröder, Director Global Go-to-Market Strategy & Innovations, G+D. “V2X is paving the way for fully autonomous vehicles, but this isn’t the only benefit – this technology is already making driving safer, smarter, more efficient, and ultimately more enjoyable for millions of people.” 

Let’s explore five ways automotive connectivity is transforming the driving experience today.

1. Life-saving safety features powered by eSIM

Saving lives is one of the most compelling and important use cases for any technology. Every year, 1.19 million people lose their lives in road accidents¹, with vulnerable road users – pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists – accounting for more than half. The United Nations aims to halve these numbers by 2030, and connectivity is playing a critical role in achieving this goal.

One lifesaving innovation already making a difference is eCall, a system introduced by the EU in 2018. Powered by eSIM technology, eCall automatically alerts emergency services of severe accidents, transmitting crucial data like location, impact severity, and direction of travel. According to the European Commission, this reduces response times by up to 50% and saves as many as 2,500 lives² annually in the EU alone.

The next leap forward is Next-Generation eCall (NG eCall). Leveraging 4G/5G connectivity, NG eCall enhances emergency response even more by transmitting advanced data, such as passenger count and vehicle telematics, to provide emergency responders with as much information as possible before they arrive at the scene. Meanwhile, safety beacons, such as V16 roadside lights, further enhance visibility during emergencies, reducing the risk of secondary accidents.

However, the ultimate goal is accident prevention, not faster response times. V2X technology supports this by enabling vehicles to communicate with each other (V2V), infrastructure (V2I), and vulnerable road users (V2P), helping drivers anticipate hazards like sudden braking or lane changes. 

2. Seamless connectivity with Dual SIM Dual Active technology

Once considered a luxury, in-vehicle connected services are now the established norm. By 2025, over 400 million connected cars are expected to be on the road – a figure projected to reach nearly 650 million by 2030³.

The increased ubiquity of 5G networks has been crucial to this surge, delivering fast, reliable data speeds to vast regions. Dual SIM Dual Active (DSDA) technology takes it further, ensuring uninterrupted in-car connectivity by using two independent eSIMs. One handles telematics functions like eCall, navigation, and over-the-air (OTA) updates. The other powers infotainment features, such as music streaming, and video calls, integrating seamlessly with drivers’ and passengers’ personal data plans.

Why does this matter? A single connection often struggles to balance safety-critical systems and consumer services, leading to delays or interruptions. DSDA solves this by assigning dedicated connections to each, ensuring simultaneous, seamless operation.

For drivers, this means uninterrupted telematics services – like real time navigation and eCall – keeping vital safety systems active. For passengers, high-speed connectivity supports streaming and calls without draining their device batteries. 

Looking ahead, DSDA is ready to support autonomous driving and IoT services, providing the bandwidth and reliability for real-time communication with other vehicles, infrastructure, and the cloud.

3. Bridging coverage gaps with satellite connectivity

However, such services are only as effective as the connectivity infrastructure that powers them. While urban and densely populated areas typically enjoy broad network coverage, remote roads and rural regions often lack reliable connectivity. Expanding terrestrial 5G networks to these areas is often too expensive and technically challenging to be feasible. 

For drivers, limited connectivity is a frustrating inconvenience in the best case and potentially life-threatening in the worst case, especially if critical services like eCall are unavailable in emergencies. Fortunately, advancements in satellite-based connectivity offer a practical solution, bridging coverage gaps even in the most isolated locations.

Although current satellite-based systems cannot yet deliver broadband speeds required for infotainment, they are fully capable of supporting essential telematics functions and safety features like eCall when terrestrial networks are unavailable. Once a vehicle is back within range of a terrestrial 5G network, the in-built eSIM will automatically switch to the best available network without requiring driver intervention, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity and peace of mind for drivers, no matter where their journey takes them.

4. Reduced congestion and emissions

Imagine a world without traffic jams. How much happier would commuters be, arriving at work or home an hour earlier each day? Traffic congestion wastes countless hours, strains economies, and contributes to global carbon emissions. In 2023, U.S. drivers spent more than 42 hours sitting in traffic, resulting in economic losses of $70 billion⁴.

By connecting vehicles to each other (V2V) and to infrastructure (V2I) like traffic lights and sensors, V2X creates an ecosystem that optimizes routes, synchronizes traffic light signals, and sends hazard alerts in real-time. This reduces delays, cuts idle times, and improves traffic flow – all of which have a positive impact on the environment. Studies show that V2X can improve travel times by up to 80%⁵ and reduce emissions by 15%⁶.

It’s not just commuters who benefit. Freight transportation and logistics, a major contributor to congestion and emissions, are also reaping the rewards of smart systems. Logistics platforms like G+D’s Track-Fleet optimize delivery schedules and reduce fleet sizes with real-time tracking. Their Track-Solar GPS trackers are self-sustaining devices with a lifespan of up to ten years, ensuring efficient fleet management without added environmental strain. 

Fewer trucks on the road mean less congestion and lower emissions – a win for commuters, businesses, and the environment alike.

5. Digital keys: combining convenience with security

The adoption of keyless solutions has risen exponentially in recent years – and for good reason. In the UK, nearly two million drivers reported having permanently misplaced their keys, with replacements costing an average of £176 each⁷. Even for those who don’t lose them outright, 43% admit to regularly forgetting where they left them – wasting nearly 14 hours a year searching, or two minutes and ten seconds per day. 

Digital car keys solve this problem. Replacing physical keys and fobs, digital key solutions use secure smartphones or wearable devices to store access credentials. These connectivity-enabled systems securely store access credentials within the device, leveraging protocols like NFC, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), or ultra-wideband (UWB) to ensure reliable offline functionality. Car owners and rental companies can even share temporary digital keys, making access flexible and hassle-free.

But it’s not just about convenience – security is also a driver. Digital keys are far more resistant to relay attacks and cloning compared to traditional keyless solutions. Advanced encryption and secure hardware ensure that only authorized users can access the vehicle, providing a higher level of protection. Of course, no system is foolproof. Car makers and tech providers must stay ahead of evolving threats to maintain this edge.

6. Proactive maintenance to keep cars on the road for longer

A well-maintained car can last for over a decade – the average age of modern cars has reached 12.5 years in the U.S.⁸. 

But while common advice suggests you should service your vehicle every year, many people often wait until it’s too late and problems have escalated before taking their car to the garage. This leads to costly and avoidable repairs. 

Automotive connectivity takes all the guesswork out of routine upkeep and repairs by enhancing a vehicle’s predictive maintenance capabilities. Remote vehicle diagnostics enable drivers to monitor a car’s health and performance and identify potential issues – such as low tire pressure or an overdue oil change – before they become costly or disruptive. 

And there is a clear appetite for this among consumers. In a 2023 survey, 63% of respondents willing to pay for connected car apps cited maintenance alerts and diagnostics as the most desired feature⁹. The appeal is clear: peace of mind and potential savings on repairs are driving the adoption of this technology.

7. Personalized insurance premiums based on driver habits

Connectivity is changing the way car insurance companies determine premiums – for the better. 

Traditionally, insurance companies relied on static data such as age, no-claims history, and estimated annual mileage to set annual premiums. Then once a year, drivers would receive a letter in the post demanding higher fees, leaving them feeling short-changed. 

Then came black boxes. Often targeted at young drivers, these devices incentivized safer driving in return for more affordable premiums. However, the boxes are costly to have fitted and are limited in terms of the data they transmit. 

Connected cars have made these redundant in modern cars. With built-in telematics, new models like pay-how-you-drive (PHYD) premiums have emerged, offering a fairer and more transparent approach. These systems track mileage and driving habits – such as braking, acceleration, and cornering – to calculate a driving score. This model allows drivers to track their scores in real time through a mobile app, incentivizing them to adopt safer driving habits. A higher score means a lower premium. On a macro scale, this shift not only benefits drivers, but could contribute to reducing accidents and making roads safer for everyone.

However, concerns about data privacy and transparency remain. In 2022, a connected car driver reported only being made aware that his vehicle was tracking and sharing his driving habits when his insurance premium shot up by 21%¹⁰. Such practices highlight the need for transparency; giving drivers the tools to monitor their driving behavior and see how it impacts the premiums will encourage them to improve their scores. Additionally, shifting from the framing of telematic tracking from punishing poor driving towards one where safe driving is rewarded will help build consumer trust in PHYD insurance premiums.