C-V2X Toll Payments: How Indra, Audi, and Qualcomm Are Redefining Connected Mobility
The transportation sector is on the brink of a revolution, and toll payments are at the forefront of this transformation. In a landmark collaboration, Indra, Audi, and Qualcomm have unveiled a Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) toll payment system that promises to eliminate the inefficiencies of traditional toll collection. This breakthrough, demonstrated at the OmniAir Consortium Plugfest on May 9, 2025, at Florida’s SunTrax Test Facility, is set to redefine how drivers interact with toll infrastructure—making payments seamless, secure, and entirely automated.
The Problem with Traditional Tolling
Today’s tolling systems are fragmented and cumbersome. Drivers rely on a patchwork of transponders, mobile apps, and license plate recognition, leading to:
- Incompatibility issues(e.g., E-ZPass not working in Texas)
- Congestion at toll plazasdue to slowdowns for gantry scans
- Billing errorsfrom misreads or outdated systems.
For toll operators, the challenges are equally daunting. Maintaining roadside gantries, transponder inventory, and video tolling systems is costly, while manual exception processing (e.g., unpaid tolls) adds administrative burdens.
How C-V2X Solves These Challenges
The SAE J3217 C-V2X standard—backed by Indra, Audi, and Qualcomm—enables direct, real-time communication between vehicles and toll infrastructure. Here’s how it works:
- Precise Vehicle Identification
- Unlike RFID transponders or cameras, C-V2X pinpoints a vehicle’s location at the lane level, reducing misbilling.
- Vehicles broadcast a secure identifier, ensuring only authorized users are charged.
- Seamless In-Car Payments
- As drivers approach a toll zone, their dashboard displays real-time toll rates, payment options, and confirmation prompts.
- Transactions are processed automatically, eliminating the need for physical stops or manual app inputs.
- Nationwide Interoperability
- The system is designed to work across all U.S. toll roads, ending the era of region-specific transponders.
Beyond Tolling: The Future of In-Car Payments
While tolling is the first application, the implications are far broader:
- Parking:Vehicles could auto-pay for parking via geofenced zones.
- Road Usage Charges:Mileage-based fees could replace gas taxes.
- Drive-Through & Fuel Payments:Cars could become digital wallets, paying for services without driver intervention.
Raul Ripio, Indra’s SVP of Mobility & Technology, envisions a future where “cars become motorists’ wallets”, handling everything from tolls to coffee purchases.
Benefits for Toll Operators
The shift to C-V2X offers agencies significant advantages:
- Lower Operational Costs:Reduced reliance on gantries, cameras, and transponders slashes infrastructure expenses.
- Fewer Errors:Lane-level accuracy minimizes billing disputes.
- Scalability:The system supports dynamic pricing models (e.g., congestion-based tolls).
The Technology Behind the Breakthrough
This collaboration leverages the strengths of three industry leaders:
- Indra– Provides the tolling backend and infrastructure expertise.
- Audi– Integrates C-V2X into production vehicles, ensuring a seamless driver experience.
- Qualcomm– Supplies advanced C-V2X chipsets for secure, low-latency communication.
The OmniAir Plugfest demo showcased these capabilities in action, with live tests confirming:
- Instant toll confirmations
- Accurate vehicle identification
- Robust performance in real-world conditions.
Regulatory and Industry Adoption
For C-V2X tolling to go mainstream, two hurdles remain:
- Regulatory Alignment:Federal and state agencies must endorse the SAE J3217 standard.
- Automaker Buy-In:More manufacturers need to embed C-V2X in vehicles.
However, the U.S. is well-positioned to lead this shift, with pilot programs already underway in Florida and Texas.
What’s Next?
The SunTrax demonstration was just the beginning. Indra, Audi, and Qualcomm plan to:
- Expand trials to major U.S. toll corridors(e.g., I-95, SR 400).
- Integrate with smart city initiatives, enabling broader V2X applications like emergency vehicle alerts.
Conclusion: A Connected Mobility Revolution
The Indra-Audi-Qualcomm partnership marks a turning point in transportation. By merging tolling, payments, and vehicle connectivity, they’re paving the way for a future where roads are smarter, safer, and frictionless.
As Rodrigo Castiñeira, Indra’s Head of Mobility Innovation, noted during the Plugfest:
“This isn’t just about tolls—it’s about reimagining how vehicles interact with the world.”.
With real-world validation now complete, the race is on to deploy C-V2X at scale. For drivers, toll operators, and smart cities alike, the connected future is arriving—one seamless payment at a time.
