Happy Sunday! This week in mobility... Uber is working with car manufacturers to design EVs with ridesharing and deliveries in mind, and more.
Need to Know
This week, Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi announced that the company is working with car manufacturers to design EVs specifically for ridesharing and delivery services. They want to create ridesharing vehicles with lower top speeds and seating where passengers can face each other and smaller two or three-wheeled delivery vehicles. This move aligns with Uber's plan to go fully electric by 2030 in many markets, with some places like London by 2025. Khosrowshahi did not disclose which car manufacturers the company is working with.
The news is interesting as it supports Uber's commitment to electrification. It could vastly improve the ridesharing experience for passengers and may lower the cost of entry for its drivers. This move could also help the company to stay competitive as governments in North America, Europe, and the UK will ban the sales of combustion engine cars as early as 2035. Definitely, a development to watch as the company shares more.
In Other News
🏛 Regulatory. California is blocking diesel big rigs with pre-2010 engines.
🚘 Vehicles. Kate, a French micro-car company, showcased its tiny car you can use for your daily commute and errands. Vayve Mobility, an Indian automotive startup, unveiled a prototype of Eva, the nation’s first solar-powered electric vehicle. Tata Motors unveiled a range of safer, smarter, and greener vehicles and concepts designed to transform personal, passenger, and freight mobility. DEVOT Motors, an Indian EV startup, unveiled its electric bike with a 200km range.
🛞 Tech Development. WeRide's L4 self-driving minibus received Beijing’s first road test license.
⚡ Mobility Ecosystem. Stellantis launches Mobilisights to grow its data-as-a-service business. Kia launched an EV charging rewards program with &Charge.
📍Go to Market. Over 40% of Lincoln dealers have said no to Ford’s electrification plan for its North American franchises. Ottonomy launched its new Ottobot YETI autonomous delivery robot. HVS (Hydrogen Vehicle Systems) has designed a fully working zero-emission technology demonstrator as a precursor to a full-sized hydrogen-electric HGV to be launched early in 2023. Baidu kicked off its paid robotaxi service in Shenzhen.
💼 Business. VinFast plans promotions in response to Tesla price cuts. Plans for a fourth electric vehicle battery plant from the GM and LG Energy Solution partnership are on hold “indefinitely” after executives ended discussions without agreeing to move forward. Honda announced it would form a joint venture with LG Energy Solution to produce lithium-ion EV batteries.
💰 Investments. Shell signed a definitive agreement to acquire Volta, an EV charging network provider, for approximately $169 million. Volvo Group Venture Capital invested in Waabi Innovation, a Canadian company developing the next generation of autonomous trucking technology. Impel, a provider of digital automotive engagement software and data for dealers, auto marketplaces, and OEMs, announced a $104 million growth investment. Outrider Technologies, a startup developing autonomous yard trucks equipped with robotic arms, announced that it secured $73 million in new funding. Hesai, an autonomous driving tech firm, has filed its application for a US IPO.
Interesting Reads
While the US car market may have shrunk in 2022, EV sales increased by two-thirds.
An article examining how automated driving zones could restrict autonomous driving to where it is safe.
Citroen’s CEO shared his belief that SUVs will see their demise to EVs, even though cold, hard sales numbers contradict this.