GM Shifts Gears: Cruise Robotaxi Plans Halted Amid Broader AV Strategy Overhaul | December 13th, 2024
Plus, NYC delivery workers face a wage battle as Instacart and other companies oppose minimum wage expansion and Uber and WeRide launch a robotaxi service in Abu Dhabi.
Issue [#267] - Every week, we deliver analysis and curation of emerging mobility news - post a job listing here!
Ridehailing, Carsharing & Delivery
GM is pivoting from its robotaxi plans, halting Cruise’s commercial development to integrate it into GM’s broader autonomous vehicle strategy. | TechCrunch
NYC delivery workers face a wage battle. Instacart and others oppose minimum wage expansion, claiming it hurts the poor. Council members disagree, backed by experts who say companies can absorb costs. Groups like the Muslim Community Network support the expansion, seeking equal pay for all delivery workers. The Department of Consumer and Worker Protection fights app company misinformation and supports the legislation | StreetsBlog NYC
Vulog launched a carsharing management service for OEMs and car rental companies, combining a software platform with operational expertise to overcome challenges and scale fleets. Trusted globally for scalability and user experience, Vulog bridges the gap between technology and profitable service management, addressing inefficiencies seen in the industry. Europe’s carsharing fleets grew 14% in 2023, with Germany leading | ZAGDaily
Uber and WeRide launched a robotaxi service in Abu Dhabi, Uber's first international AV offering. The service, initially with human safety operators, will expand to full autonomy by 2025. Investors are wary of Uber's competitiveness against AV pioneers like Waymo and Tesla, despite Uber's aggressive partnerships with AV companies like Wayve, Serve Robotics, Aurora Innovation, and Waabi. Local partner Tawasul Transport will handle fleet operations | TechCrunch
Waymo’s driverless vehicles can detect emergency vehicles, respond to traffic cop hand signals, and be manually disabled. An independent review by Tüv Süd confirmed the company’s First Responder Program meets SAE standards. Waymo trains 15,000 responders and releases guides. Despite this, incidents in San Francisco, Phoenix, and Austin highlight ongoing challenges | The Verge
RYTLE, a German OEM, and H2Range are teaming up to launch hydrogen-powered cargo bikes for food delivery in early 2025. These bikes, capable of temperature control and heavy loads, could revolutionize urban logistics. Delivery Mates, a logistics partner, is already deploying RYTLE's MovR3 cargo bike in cities like London, Amsterdam, and Paris. This collaboration aims to make food transportation more sustainable and efficient, reducing reliance on polluting trucks | ZAGDaily
Micromobility
Tartu’s bike share scheme, powered by Qucit, ranks 4th in Europe for daily trips, with over 20 trips per 1,000 residents. The city operates 850 bikes, 660 of which are e-bikes, and 100 docking stations. Since 2019, Qucit has optimized fleet management, supporting Tartu’s goal for 50% of commutes to be by bike or walking by 2040. | ZAGDaily
Stromer, a Swiss e-bike maker, is ditching the US and Canada due to a slow market and high prices. Their $10K+ bikes are a tough sell in a market dominated by budget brands like Lectric Ebikes. American riders often use e-bikes sporadically, unlike Europeans who treat them as primary vehicles. This cultural divide, coupled with economic challenges, is squeezing high-end e-bike makers | Electrek
Washington leads the US in bike-friendliness, while Mississippi trails. Cycling deaths surge, and states lack bike-use data. Despite increased federal funding, bike and pedestrian infrastructure spending declines. Advocates urge states to prioritize active transportation and implement safety measures like slower speed limits | StreetsBlog USA
Priscilla’s Law, introduced by NYC Councilmember Bob Holden, would impose car-like registration on e-bikes in response to a fatal accident in Chinatown. Critics argue it targets marginalized groups, particularly immigrant delivery workers, while ignoring the far greater pedestrian threat from cars, which cause significantly more deaths and injuries | Electrek
Cyclists, often progressive urbanites, face a hostile backlash from rural and suburban car-dependent populations. This culture war, fueled by urban-rural divides, environmental concerns, and economic implications, pits cyclists against motorists. The debate over public space allocation further exacerbates tensions, with cyclists demanding safer infrastructure and motorists resisting change. This clash highlights the complex social and political dimensions of cycling, revealing deep-seated cultural and ideological differences | Momentum Magazine
Product Launches & Updates
Lucid Motors began manufacturing its Gravity SUV last week at its Arizona factory. The EPA confirmed its range at 450 miles, surpassing the initial 440-mile estimate. CEO Peter Rawlinson emphasized the SUV’s resource efficiency, using half the resources of competitors. The Gravity features three rows of seating and is Lucid's first vehicle with a native NACS port for Tesla Superchargers | The Verge
Segway is electrifying the US e-bike market with its long-range Xafari and Xyber models, launching in early 2025. These tech-packed bikes, led by industry veteran Nick Howe, aim to bridge the gap between budget and premium e-bikes. Segway’s strategic US expansion includes a dedicated team, a nationwide dealer network, and a focus on seamless customer experiences | Electrek
Vessev, a New Zealand company, launched the electric hydrofoil ferry VS-9, the first certified for tourism. Using America’s Cup yacht technology, it carries 10 passengers at 25 knots, slashing operational costs by 90%. Approved by Maritime New Zealand and added to Fullers360’s fleet, it offers experiences and private charters. Vessev plans a 100-passenger commuter version, foreseeing widespread adoption of electric hydrofoils | ZAGDaily
Toyota's Urban Cruiser, a compact EV sharing Suzuki's platform, debuts in Europe in 2025. It offers AWD with 135kW and 300Nm, competing with Ford Puma Gen-E and Hyundai Inster. Despite past hybrid and hydrogen focus, Toyota plans 15 EVs by 2026, including a US-bound three-row SUV, signaling a shift towards electrification | The Verge
Investment & Deals
GM’s decision to shut down its Cruise robotaxi program has caused ripple effects for minority investors, including Microsoft, which will absorb an $800 million impairment charge, impacting second-quarter earnings. GM plans to increase its Cruise stake to over 97%, buying back shares from Microsoft, Walmart, Softbank, and Honda, which also halts funding for a Japan robotaxi venture | TechCrunch
Joby Aviation, raising up to $522 million through a public offering and previous funds, plans a 2025 launch of air taxis in NYC, LA, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi, with partners Delta and Uber. The company has a $131 million DoD contract, a $500 million investment from Toyota, and has raised $2.6 billion total | TechCrunch
Toyota's Kentucky plant, its largest globally, is gearing up for EV production. A $922M investment will build a new paint shop, supporting the delayed 2026 launch of its first US-made three-row electric SUV. This follows a $1.3B investment in February. Meanwhile, Toyota introduces the Land Cruiser EV, a European-market electric crossover built on Suzuki's platform | Electrek
Nikola Corp., reeling from founder Trevor Milton’s fraud conviction, is seeking to strengthen its finances with a $100 million stock sale and reselling 34.2 million convertible note shares. Despite shipping a record 203 trucks in 2024, it faces a $481 million loss and $656 million in liabilities, reducing some debt via $39.4 million in Series B-1 Notes repayment | TechCrunch
Defense tech funding surged in 2024 amid geopolitical tensions. Archer Aviation, backed by Stellantis, United, Wellington Management, and 2PointZero, raised $430M, partnering with Anduril to develop hybrid gas-electric VTOLs for defense. Built at Archer's Georgia factory, these aircraft leverage Anduril’s AI-powered Lattice platform. Archer targets a DOD contract, surpassing its $142M U.S. Air Force deal | TechCrunch
Cities & Policy
San Francisco tops the Urban Mobility Readiness Index by Oliver Wyman Forum and UC Berkeley, excelling in EV adoption despite car reliance. Singapore ranks third with EV tax rebates and safe roads. U.S. cities like New York, Boston, and Los Angeles rise due to tech-driven projects. Recommendations include transit and cycling upgrades | Bloomberg
Washington's outgoing transportation chief, Roger Millar, warns of a looming transportation crisis. A $3.1B budget gap and a focus on expansion over maintenance threaten the state's infrastructure. WSDOT faces a $980M annual shortfall, and 33% of transportation funds go to expansion, while only 11% is allocated for maintenance. The state's 3,400+ bridges need urgent repair, and a majority of WSDOT buildings are in poor condition. Millar urges a shift in priorities towards safety, maintenance, and active transportation | The Urbanist
New York City Council’s Intro 606, led by Robert Holden, mandates electric bike registration under a costly Department of Transportation system. The NYPD’s inconsistent enforcement and existing traffic laws complicate implementation. Cautionary tales include Perth Amboy’s botched bike crackdown and Los Angeles’ scrapped program. Critics warn of selective policing, bureaucratic expansion, and counterproductive public safety outcomes | StreetsBlog NYC
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey secured federal approval for its $10 billion Midtown Manhattan bus terminal overhaul, replacing the 70-year-old facility with a 2.1 million-square-foot terminal, staging area, and new Lincoln Tunnel ramps. Construction begins next year, funded by capital, federal aid, and $2 billion in future tax revenue | Bloomberg
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