California-based clean technology company Oxygen Initiative announced that it is kicking off its second year of partnership with innogy SE, a German energy company, by introducing the U.S. market to adopt blockchain technology in electronic wallets for drivers.

Oxygen Initiative will offer drivers of plug-in electric vehicles with the ability to pay quickly on-the-go for highway toll booths, parking fee, fees for electric charging as well as collect fees for car-sharing. With the help of electronic wallet, Share&Charge enables people to share their charging stations with the other drivers who pay for usage, through blockchain technology.

With the successful testing in Germany, Oxygen Initiative is now adapting Share&Charge for the American market and additionally, it will also test other use cases for mobility services.

“E-mobility technologies are ushering in advancements in transportation that could foster the adoption of clean-tech autonomous vehicles (AVs) and electric vehicles (EVs), which could bring the dream of less congestion and pollution, shorter commutes and lower operating costs into reality. We're excited to do our part by introducing blockchain technology for the mobility space to the United States, starting with access and payment solutions for electric charging stations,” Stephen G. Davis, founder and CEO, Oxygen Initiative, stated.

The blockchain technology enables seamless payments for charging stations when customers are out and wants to charge their cars. The blockchain payment system supports emerging e-mobility solutions, that are connected, electric and shared (ACES) and fleets of autonomous vehicles, electric and shared (FAVES) technologies.

With blockchain, the EV drivers can help utilities manage the power grid and the electric utilities will compensate drivers for agreeing to delay charging sessions, thus minimizing strain on power grids during times of peak demand.

This announcement marks the one-year anniversary of the partnership between Oxygen Initiative and innogy SE. Last year, innogy SE invested in Oxygen Initiative and tapped the startup to serve as the exclusive licensee of RWE's eMobility platform in North America.

“Following successful tests in Germany, we are very happy to roll out our mobility blockchain products in the United States with our partner Oxygen Initiative," Thomas Birr, senior vice president, innovation and business transformation, innogy SE, said. "We believe the future of personal mobility will be autonomous, connected, electric and shared. Blockchain technology can be a catalyst for this, facilitating secure, simple and efficient transactions among all stakeholders of the mobility sector.”