EU Data Act: Claim Your Right to Your Data
Did you know that as a vehicle user, you're entitled to access the data your vehicle produces—and that you should get that data for free?
The EU Data Act, which entered into force on 11 January 2024 and becomes applicable in September 2025, grants you—the user—unprecedented access to all data generated by your vehicles. This applies to any connected device you operate, whether it's a truck, van, or trailer. If it's connected and sending out data, you have the right to access it. At Way, we want to help you claim that access and unlock the benefits you're entitled to.
Your Vehicle Produces Data You Get for Free
The Data Act states that users of data-generating devices must be given access to that data—free of charge. Practically every modern vehicle is a computer on wheels, generating massive amounts of data from its systems:
- Engine metrics and performance
- Fuel consumption and efficiency
- Tire pressure and condition
- Ignition status
- Door and window operations
- Charging metrics (for electric vehicles)
- Location and speed data
- And much more
These vehicles are connected to the internet, and manufacturers (OEMs) collect all this data on their servers, making them the designated data holders.
The purpose of the Act is to ensure that users—the actual producers of the data—can access that data. OEMs are required to offer a way for users to retrieve this data so they can analyze it themselves or share it with third parties.
How Can I Get Access to This Data?
As the data holder, the OEM is responsible for enabling data sharing. There are two main ways to access your data:
- Direct Access (B2C): When the data is shared with you directly
- Third-Party Access (B2B): When you instruct the OEM to share your data with trusted third parties
The OEM must provide this data in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format—such as JSON. If that sounds too technical, don't worry—you're not alone. OEMs are also required to provide a way for you to authorize trusted third parties who can access, process, and help you make sense of the data on your behalf.
How Do I Utilize This Data?
If you have in-house data analysts or data scientists, you're already well-positioned to benefit. These experts can clean and structure your data to uncover valuable insights. For example:
- What's the utilization rate of your fleet?
- How energy efficient are your vehicles?
- Where should your charging stations be located?
- How can you optimize your routes?
- What's your fleet's environmental impact?
Way is a third-party data recipient service provider that helps you unlock these insights. With Way, you can:
- Access data from multiple OEMs in one place
- Create and manage data sharing policies
- Process and analyze your fleet data
- Make data-driven decisions for your operations
