45.000 fewer crashes. It starts with a signal.

2.3 million Volkswagen vehicles are produced with technology that can warn the driver in advance.

Technology

Volkswagen electric vehicle driving on a highway with Car2X communication technology, exchanging data with traffic signs and other cars to enable connected mobility and improve road safety.

Caution, breakdown ahead! Forest routes or roads with limited visibility can quickly become dangerous for drivers: if another car suddenly breaks down on the side of the road after a sharp curve, the driver often has only a few seconds to react. The Car2X technology can prevent accidents and warn the driver in advance, even if there is no danger in sight, yet. In 2024, there were around 45,000 rear-end collisions¹ in the same direction of travel with personal injury throughout Germany.

The traffic hazard alert assist system displays warnings in the digital cockpit using "local swarm intelligence". As a strategic partner, CARIAD supports the Volkswagen brand and the Brand Group Core in sustainably expanding and successfully maintaining their leading role in Car2X technology in Europe. With the WLANp wireless standard, cars can exchange warnings, position data, and other information in real time within a radius of up to 800 meters – across manufacturers and anonymously. According to a simulation study with real accident situations, 80 percent of these can be prevented by Vehicle-to-X partial braking². The transmission of information is free of charge as it does not run via the mobile network.

Milestone: 2.3 million Volkswagen vehicles in Europe produced with Car2X

Volkswagen recently reached a milestone: 2.3 million vehicles with Car2X technology have already been produced across Europe – an important step toward reducing accidents on the road. The traffic hazard alert assist system with Car2X technology is currently available as an option in the Golf, T-Roc, Tiguan, Tayron, Passat, ID.3, ID.4, and ID.5 models, and as standard in the ID.7. At Cupra, the Born, Tavascan, and Terramar feature Car2X, while Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles equips the Multivan and ID.Buzz with this technology. The driver must activate Car2X in the infotainment system. The technology can then provide information about traffic jams, accidents, roadworks, or approaching emergency vehicles in the immediate vicinity, helping to avoid critical situations.

Car2X technology can support driver assist systems

Car2X opens new possibilities for innovative assist systems, too. Car2X already functions as a virtual sensor that supplements the on-board vehicle sensors and can support driver assistance systems in the car. For example, the optional Travel Assist with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) can reduce speed within the system limits even when the end of a traffic jam is not visible. For assisted lane changes on motorways, Car2X information can be used to control acceleration in a more convenient manner. In the future, bicycles, motorcycles, and other road users such as trucks and buses could also be networked.

¹Source: Datenbank des Statistischen Bundesamtes (GENESIS). Statistischer Bericht Verkehrsunfälle 2024.

²Source: Zimmermann, et al. (2025): Analyzing the performance of a V2X-enhanced braking system in real-world crash situations.