Happy Sunday! This week in mobility... Waymo introduced a new safety methodology for autonomous vehicles, with hopes of becoming the standard for companies deploying self-driving technology, and more.

Need to Know

This week, Waymo released an extension of its previous safety frameworks, introducing a new methodology to examine the credibility of safety cases for autonomous vehicles. The company's new "Case Credibility Assessment" promotes a dynamic approach to safety, where methods evolve and adapt to the technical changes in the lifecycle of a system. Waymo hopes this methodology will become a standard for companies deploying self-driving technology.

While this is dense stuff for safety nerds, it's significant for the industry as Waymo is arguably the leading player in the self-driving space. The industry is still in its infancy, with safety concerns being a substantial roadblock to mass adoption. Waymo's safety cases have been considered the gold standard, and their latest methodology sets a benchmark for other companies to follow. While this is ultimately one step in a journey to market for companies like Waymo, Cruise, and Zoox, this framework could increase trust from regulators, the public, and other stakeholders.

In Other News

• 🏛 Regulatory. In the US, an electric bike tax credit bill was reintroduced, providing up to $1,500 off new e-bikes. An EPA waiver will allow California to accelerate its diesel truck ban. NHTSA is investigating 'sticky' Honda Civic steering. The US Department of Energy and Stellantis launched the Battery Workforce Challenge, encouraging interest in the EV and battery industries. And Cruise asked California regulators to amend their existing permit to allow for the testing of their autonomous vehicles throughout the state, expanding beyond their current restriction to specified areas of San Francisco. Abroad, Germany plans to issue contactless monthly passes for unlimited multi-modal travel on transport services nationwide. And India committed 1.7% of its GDP, equivalent to $122B, to invest in and upgrade the country’s transport infrastructure.

• 🚘 Vehicles. The Polestar 3 officially launched in China, seeing a $30K price cut off its initial MSRP amid an increasing EV price war. Honda unveiled its third-generation autonomous off-road work EV for construction. BMW confirmed that its latest EV models include i5 sedan and iX2 SUV. Deutsche Bank shared its belief that XPeng’s upcoming G6 will be the determining factor in making the automaker relevant again. Ford announced an Electric Explorer, but only for the European market. And Rollaway, a sustainable hospitality startup, partnered with GM’s BrightDrop to build a luxury electric van that it calls “the hotel room of tomorrow.”

• 🛞 Tech Development. Baidu's Kunlun Xin has self-driving ambitions for its AI chip. The Rivian EDV 500, the company’s smallest commercial electric van, was spotted on a public road ahead of its launch in the coming months. Apple is reported to have over 200 drivers testing their car system.

• ⚡ Mobility Ecosystem. Acer is building an electric bike with built-in AI. Forward Air and Kodiak announced a partnership to determine autonomous truck routes. Gogoro’s swappable batteries will power food delivery scooters in Singapore. Hyundai unveiled a robot that could ease EV charging and tackle mobility barriers. WiTricity and ABT e-Line plan to bring wireless EV charging to the streets of Europe.

• 🆕 Go-to-Market. Cupra shared that it’s testing in the US market ahead of a potential expansion. Kia is entering China's crowded EV market, with its first model expected to launch in August. Zevo launched an EV carsharing platform in Texas. Cruise ran into another issue with one of their vehicles driving through yellow caution tape into downed power lines in San Francisco. Aptera Motors announced it would use the open-source driver assistance system “openpilot” as its driver assistance system. And Goggo Network, an autonomous vehicle provider, will integrate Oxbotica’s autonomous driving system into its middle and last-mile delivery operations.

• 💼 Business. Ford and GM followed Tesla's lead, wading into the China EV price war. EVgo has partnered with Warner Brothers to promote EV charging in movies. After announcing its deal with Kroger, Gatik, an autonomous trucking company, announced plans to double its workforce this year. Tesla rolled out Safety Score 2.0 with new factors that will make your driving score more accurate, making insurance rates more aligned with driving behaviors. Ford appointed a new chief transformation officer, as the company further deploys its Ford+ plan for growth and value. VinFast lost three of its sales executives, marking another potential setback for the EV startup trying to ramp up deliveries to the US – its first overseas market.

• 💰 Investments. ARK Invest offloaded 130K Tesla shares. Bird received additional new funding, bringing their total to $33M this year.

Interesting Reads

• Chinese automakers are filling the gap left by the exodus of Western companies in Russia, forcing Russian consumers to overcome their reluctance to embrace Chinese brands and stomach higher prices.

• Foxconn is inching towards its ambitious goal of manufacturing half of the world’s EVs.

• A UK study found that charging EVs can cost $1,800 more annually in public than at home.

• A study found that nearly half of commuters avoid public transport over hygiene and cleanliness fears.