In the world of transportation, transparency is king. Collecting and interpreting fleet analytics are imperative to your operational success, but so is having a full understanding of the vehicles themselves–their history, standards and battery certifications.
Therefore, technologies continue to emerge in order to ensure proper e-mobility battery safety. Among them is Buy Safe and CREDZ, a new way to instantly verify whether a particular e-bike, e-scooter or battery is “safe”—meaning, whether it has passed legitimate safety testing and meets internationally recognized standards for battery and structural safety.
To gain a full understanding of what Buy Safe seeks to accomplish and what it means for fleet operators, we sat down with Krystyna Weston, Co-Founder of mobility insurance provider Zipidi and CEO of Buy Safe, to find out more. Check out our Q&A below:
Joyride: What exactly is Buy Safe, and what problem does it solve?
Krystyna Weston: Buy Safe is a trust mark and digital product passport specifically designed for e-mobility devices and batteries. The problem it addresses is the lack of transparency and verification when it comes to safety certifications for these devices. Right now, there’s a lot of confusion in the market, and many consumers, regulators and even fleet operators can’t easily know if their vehicles are up to standard before they are used.
So, how does Buy Safe ensure that a product is actually safe?
Buy Safe works by partnering with quality manufacturers, ensuring their devices and batteries have provable certifications from rigorous testing at independent laboratories. These labs test the products to make sure they meet international safety standards, like UL or EN certifications. Once a product passes, it is awarded a certification, which is then verified and stored in a digital product passport. This is where our second tool, CREDZ, comes into play.
Tell us more about CREDZ. What exactly is it, and how does it work with Buy Safe?
CREDZ is really the backbone of Buy Safe. It’s a smart connected labeling system powered by fraud-proof technology. Each product that passes safety certification is given a CREDZ label, which is essentially a unique digital fingerprint for that device or battery. This label allows users to instantly verify the product’s safety credentials through a quick scan or check—whether that’s the consumer, the fleet operator, or even regulators. The label carries essential information, such as test results, certification details and other critical safety data in real-time. This eliminates the need to rely on physical documentation, which is prone to fraud or manipulation.
Like a user-focused Rider App to rent vehicles, CREDZ labels can be scanned with any mobile phone, providing the user with customized information based on their exact location. It can provide regulatory information for their location and whether the device or battery complies with local regulations.
From a manufacturer’s perspective, a single CREDZ label can provide customized information relevant to the product’s location anywhere in the world. Manufacturers can do single production runs without printing different labels for countries, states or regions.
Sounds like CREDZ is more than just a label. What kind of information can it hold?
The CREDZ digital product passport holds a wealth of information. Beyond just the certification details, it can store current data about the device’s battery health, past maintenance records, and even real-time operational data. This makes it not only a tool for safety verification but also a comprehensive management system. For example, fleet operators can track whether their devices are up to date with safety checks and certifications, and insurers can use this data to assess risk more accurately.
How widespread is the issue of fraudulent certifications in the e-mobility industry?
Unfortunately, it’s more common than you think. With the massive surge in demand for e-mobility devices, particularly e-bikes and e-scooters, some unscrupulous manufacturers have taken shortcuts. We’ve seen cases where safety certifications are outright faked or certifications from dubious or non-accredited labs are used. This not only puts users at risk but also creates challenges for regulators and fleet operators trying to ensure that the devices they approve are genuinely safe. This is why a system like Buy Safe, powered by CREDZ, is so important—it takes the guesswork and potential fraud out of the equation.
Are there places where these safety issues have led to significant problems?
Absolutely, and it’s happening worldwide. One of the biggest concerns we’ve seen recently is the rise in lithium-ion battery fires, especially in cities that have embraced e-mobility. These fires often stem from poorly made or uncertified devices and batteries. As a result, some cities and institutions have implemented blanket bans on e-bikes and e-scooters, especially in areas like offices, apartment complexes and transport hubs. These bans, however, are a blunt instrument. They don’t differentiate between safe, certified devices and those that are unsafe. Products like Buy Safe help resolve this by offering a way to easily identify and verify safe products.
How does Buy Safe impact the regulatory landscape? Can it help with policy-making?
Definitely. In fact, that’s one of its key benefits. Regulators are often forced to make decisions with limited data or insights into the safety of e-mobility devices. Buy Safe, with its real-time verification capabilities through CREDZ, offers regulators a much-needed tool to ensure compliance without resorting to broad bans. It provides a simple, effective way for cities, universities and other institutions to enforce safety standards without stifling the growth of e-mobility. We’ve already started conversations with regulators in several regions, and there’s real enthusiasm for a solution like this.
You mentioned fleet operators earlier. How does Buy Safe and CREDZ benefit them specifically?
Fleet operators stand to gain a lot from this technology. First and foremost, it helps them ensure that their fleets are in compliance with safety standards, no matter where they operate. This is key to avoiding regulatory issues or bans. But beyond that, having a certified, verifiable safety system in place can actually lower their insurance premiums. We’ve been working with underwriters who are open to offering better rates for fleets using the CREDZ system because it demonstrates a commitment to safety and provides data that can help mitigate risks. For fleet operators, it’s a win-win: better safety, fewer operational headaches and potential cost savings.
What’s next for these technologies?
We believe the future is bright! Our immediate goal is to expand partnerships with manufacturers, fleet operators and regulators to make Buy Safe and CREDZ the industry standard for safety verification. As the e-mobility market continues to grow, so too will the need for transparent, trustworthy safety systems. We’re also exploring additional use cases for the CREDZ technology, such as applying it to other sectors like energy storage systems or even personal electronics. The possibilities are vast, and we’re excited to keep pushing the boundaries of what this technology can do.
Where can people get Buy Safe and CREDZ?
We are partnering with quality OEMs, distributors, importers and operators who want a provable mark of safety. In many countries the importer is held legally liable as if they were the manufacturer. It’s up to the importer to prove the devices have met all the regulations and specifications in every state or territory in which they operate.
For more information about digital data and e-mobility compliance, and how fleet-management software can enable risk mitigation for fleet operators, contact Joyride today to learn more.
