‘Concerning’ over the air vehicle software updates questioned by AFP 

‘Concerning’ over the air (OTA) software updates that reduce the capabilities of company cars and vans are being questioned by the Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP).

At the most recent meeting of the industry body’s Megafleets Committee – consisting of some of the UK’s largest car and van operators – the legality and ethics of downgrading vehicles already in operation was discussed.

Paul Hollick, AFP chair, said: ‘There are, for example, reported cases where OTA updates have slowed the charging speeds of electric vehicles (EVs), sometimes quite substantially, and this obviously has a direct impact on their operational potential. If a fleet manager has allocated 30 minutes to charge a van midway through a carefully planned route and it suddenly takes 45 minutes instead, that has cost and service implications.

‘Manufacturers are no doubt making these changes for good reasons such as improved battery life or even safety but they are also reducing the capabilities of a vehicle long after the fleet has decided to buy or lease it, and that simply doesn’t seem right. It may even potentially be a breach of contract.’

The meeting discussed where fleets might feel the need to draw the line in terms of the extent of OTA modifications.

‘We are in a situation where car and van makers are using OTA technology to downgrade the capabilities of vehicles to a noticeable degree – usually without warning, consultation or explanation. That is concerning and needs to change.

‘The possible solutions to this are not clear but at the very least, we would like to see limits placed on the number and extent of changes that are made, and much more information provided about what is happening to fleet vehicles and why.’

An associated problem raised at the Megafleets’ meeting was the degree of control provided by vehicle apps and the absence of a central capability provided to fleet managers to change access rights.

‘It was pointed out that agency drivers often need manufacturer apps in order to access basic remote car or van functions but removing those rights once that person moves on is often difficult or impossible. Apps tend to be designed on a one user per vehicle basis but that’s not how fleets tend to work, especially van operators,’ said Paul.

‘Also, manufacturers often carry out updates to apps that alter their capabilities in a similar fashion to OTA software changes, and do not consult with the fleets who are their largest users. Our members feel, at the very least, they need to be kept in the loop when changes are made and given the opportunity to make any concerns known.’