London, UK / Mlada Boleslav, Czech Republic, December 5, 2024 – Škoda drivers will now receive helpful live notifications on their infotainment systems, informing them of available in-car parking and fuelling payment functionality at various locations. This new feature is part of the updated in-car payments service, available with fuel-powered Škoda models produced from Q2 2024 across Europe, as well as the Škoda Enyaq and upcoming all-electric Škoda Elroq, with additional EV models to follow.
The notifications are made possible through a collaboration between Parkopedia, a leading connected car services provider, and Škoda. The partnership also provides parking data and in-car payment platform functionality for Škoda drivers.
The new ‘nudging’ functionality aims to enhance the connected driver experience by helping drivers easily locate parking and fuelling sites. The notifications will appear on the vehicles’ infotainment screens, alerting them of locations where they can complete transactions. This feature builds upon Parkopedia’s extensive and accurate parking data, which is crucial for successful in-car transactions.
The new functionality will be launched with fuel-powered Škoda models, including the Fabia, Kamiq, Karoq, Kodiaq, Octavia, Scala, and Superb, from Q2 2024. Notifications for parking locations will also be added to the upcoming all-electric Škoda Elroq at launch, with the Enyaq and additional EV models gaining this functionality in 2025.
The service is aimed at reducing the stress and distractions associated with finding and paying for parking. According to the latest Parkopedia Global Driver Survey, 59% of European drivers prefer to pay for parking through their in-car media system. The survey also revealed that parking is the most requested in-car payment service, indicating that outdated payment methods can be a source of stress and time consumption for drivers.
Markus Dohl, VP of Sales & Business Development Europe at Parkopedia, highlighted the value of this new functionality, stating, “New cars are now packed with a host of useful features, so it can be difficult for drivers to find the connected services they want while focusing on driving. Our new feature developed with Škoda simplifies the payment process, intelligently informing drivers when convenient in-car payment services are available in their surrounding area or at their destination with onscreen notifications and prompts. This ensures that drivers can easily access Škoda’s valued connected services, bolstering its strong brand satisfaction and customer loyalty.”
Martin Handl, Škoda Technical Project Lead & Product Manager, also commented on the partnership, stating, “Škoda is proud to offer a range of user-friendly features that take the stress out of drivers’ everyday lives, and our latest feature with Parkopedia offers the same value. It enables drivers to get the most out of their Škoda whenever they need to make vehicle-based purchases behind the wheel. From our driver feedback, we know that paying for parking and fuel can be a tedious and stressful task for our drivers, which is why we’ve worked with Parkopedia to streamline this process for our drivers with this innovative and valuable solution.”
Škoda Pay to Park and Pay to Fuel are currently available in 16 European countries, including Czechia, Germany, Denmark, and Portugal. The service will also be continuously expanded.
About Parkopedia
Parkopedia is a leading connected car services provider used by automakers, organizations, and millions of drivers worldwide. The company offers services that help drivers find and pay for parking, EV charging, fuel, and tolls in 90 countries. Parkopedia is also developing detailed indoor maps and algorithms to assist drivers and self-driving vehicles in locating available parking spaces and EV chargers. For more information, visit business.parkopedia.com.
About Škoda
With 120 years of history, Škoda is one of the oldest automotive manufacturers globally and is now part of the Volkswagen Group. The brand has produced a wide range of products over the last 12 decades, from bicycles to racing cars, with the original factory in Mladá Boleslav, Czech Republic, always at the heart of operations.
Media Contacts:Adam CallandMarketing DirectorT: +44(0)7838219129E: adam.calland@parkopedia.com
Martin JežekSpokesperson for Digital TopicsT: +420 730 865 258E: Martin.Jezek4@skoda-auto.cz