Ford is first car manufacturer to offer digital license plates
“Modern licensing for modern living,” is the motto for Reviver, the California company that offers digital license plates. And now comes word that Ford is the first manufacturer to embrace Reviver’s “world’s first” digital plates, legal in Michigan, California, and Arizona for all users. They are also legal in Texas, but just for commercial fleet vehicles.
Under the agreement with Ford dealers in the legal states, the RPlate, which is what Reviver calls the plate, will be assigned a Ford part number. Drivers will be able to purchase the RPlate via catalog or in person at a dealership.
“To be associated with a landmark brand in the automotive industry such as Ford is truly gratifying,” said Reviver founder and chief strategy officer Neville Boston. “We are very proud to have met the rigorous requirements for the company’s evaluation of potential suppliers and look forward to adding the innovations of digital license plate technology to their offerings.”
Count digital license plates as something you never knew you needed. “Everything about the driving experience has evolved in the last 100 years,” Reviver says, “except license plates.” Yes, well …
“Reviver’s digital license plates are not just a cosmetic upgrade; they are a testament to progress. Depending on the model, key features include personalized displays with custom messaging, location tracking, effortless registration renewal through a user-friendly mobile app, real-time alerts when the vehicle is moved, tamper-proof mounting, and robust anti-theft measures.”
The plates, says Reviver, also mean metal plates won’t clog landfills, assuming that’s an issue somewhere, thus leading the automotive world “into a greener future.”
Reviver offers both a user-installable model, with a replaceable battery, and a hard-wired, professionally installed version, meaning there are two ways to go: The Battery RPlate, with a five-year battery and with no location tracking, or the Wired RPlate, which does include location tracking and requires installation by a pro.
The price starts at $599, plus the service plan, something you never thought you would need for a license plate. Your RPlate does not need an active service plan to display your license plate number. “However, you will not be able to utilize any personalization or compliance features as listed above. Without its connection to our platform, the registration year on the plate will not update.”
Sixty days of service are included with purchase. After that period is up, you will pay $8 a month or $75 a year for battery-powered RPlates, and $10 a month or $95 a year for wired RPlates.
Unfortunately for Reviver, the photos of digital license plates on its website pretty much look like regular metal plates; they don’t do a lot of tricks. But for those Jeep Wrangler buyers who insist on putting every accessory that exists on the vehicle, well, this is one more thing.
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I saw this product and company at an investor opportunity briefing. I passed. I still don’t understand the need / value / benefit of the product. The concept and product had a bunch of hyperbole about convenience and safety, but don’t think saving a few minutes once a year to replace a sticker is worth anything, certainly not hundreds. And a subscription fee? Put this idea in a landfill, there’s room.
Metal plates can be recycled. Plastic devices with electronics cost money to dispose of properly. Most of it probably is shipped to 3rd world for 5 year old children to “recycle” after some shady, hard to trace transactions.
This appears to be a very expensive item, way above the annual license fees here. Thieves will find a way to easily disable the security and slap a “old fashion” stolen plate over it to steal your car anyway.
States probably will not reduce registration costs because you purchased it, so what is advantage?
Having something their neighbor doesn’t have!
Anything to help prevent having extra money for emergencies. They want to keep us broke and poor. A metal license plate last the life of the car. Now here we are making something to cost more and have issues and easier to damage. I love the USA but darn it’s getting sucky.
” A metal plate will last the life of the car”. I have had the same “FOP” plate for over 40 years, it has been on 5 different vehicles, and it still works.
This is just another idea to separate the motoring public from their hard earned income. Like others have said a way to grab another subscription fee from people. And the BS about land fill disposal of old plates, the ones that are not for sell by the hundreds of thousands at flee markets are recycled into Chinese appliances. Not to mention that big brother will be the one tracking the owner. No Thanks
$599!!! Yeah no thanks, I’ll keep my old “metal” plates instead for far cheaper.
This is a HARD pass. Another thing crooks will figure out how to hack and steal all your information.
What a stupid idea. What’s next, a can opener that posts my peaches to SnapFace?
This comment is priceless, “Everything about the driving experience has evolved in the last 100 years,” Reviver says, “except license plates.”
No. 100 years ago, someone solved a problem cheaply, reliably, definitively, and with longevity.
For the record, I fully embrace our tech future and look forward to everyone paying monthly fees for remaining in compliance with all new ordinances and insurance. As long as you don’t break any rules, you have nothing to fear! With the tracking feature, our leaders will know exactly where we drive and bill us accordingly. That’s what I call equitable, fair and green!
You lost me at “location tracking”….. Big Brother can stuff it.
Everyone I know who works for 3M either are laughing or Flipping the Bird at that license plates haven’t evolved in 100 years marketing wank line.
10 comments and nothing positive – there is still hope for common sense.
I still see cars with plates 30 or mor years old. I don’t think digital ones will ever be able make that claim. How does this fit into a green future?
That was 10 comments that make total sense.
Just more useless “see what I have” status symbol bling.
I am sure Hagerty (and the other insurance companies) will be just SO happy to pay $600 for a license plate which was damaged by a wayward shopping cart. Besides, if the electronic license plate’s display is damaged now you get to explain to the nice officer why your license plate is blank, and later you can also tell it to the judge. This thing is a bad idea on so many levels it boggles the mind.