Honda's Zero Series: Is 'Thin,' 'Light,' and 'Wise' the Key to Electric Revolution? | January 12th, 2024
Honda's Zero Series: Is 'Thin,' 'Light,' and 'Wise' the Key to Electric Revolution? | January 12th, 2024
Plus, Segway launches two new electric two-wheelers, the Xafari electric bicycle and the Xyber electric motorcycle, and Waymo is set to introduce freeway driving in Phoenix.
Issue [#221] - Every week, we deliver analysis and curation of emerging mobility news - post a job listing here!
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Micromobility
Contrary to popular belief, a Danish study reveals that just 4.9% of cyclists break traffic laws on designated paths, while 66% of drivers flout rules. The research highlights the critical role of bike paths in reducing violations and challenges the perception that cyclists are the main road offenders—turns out, it's the drivers we should be keeping an eye on! | Electrek
While e-scooters often receive criticism, e-scooters play a crucial role in reducing car journeys and making cities greener. Overbearing regulations and market challenges now jeopardize their future, calling for a rethink and perhaps even taxpayer support to keep these zippy alternatives on the streets | FastCompany
Beyond Paris, a league of European cities is reshaping urban mobility post-pandemic. Milan swaps parking for public spaces, Seville pedals into the lead as a cycling haven, and Brussels rejects mid-century auto madness. These cities are not just talking green—they're walking, cycling, and scooting into a sustainable future | StreetsBlog USA
VROEGH Design is sparking a revolution in e-motorcycles, with a sleek portfolio crafted on a shared electrical platform. As the e-motorcycle market accelerates towards a $110 billion future, VROEGH's user-focused design, market-savvy approach, and commitment to accessibility are steering the ride into a new era of electric mobility | ZAGDaily
Product Launches & Updates
Segway unveils two new electric two-wheelers, the Xafari electric bicycle and the Xyber electric motorcycle, both positioned as major entries into the micromobility market. Equipped with smart features like "active scene perception," connectivity with mobile apps, and anti-theft measures, these bikes showcase Segway's commitment to innovation in electric bike technology | Electrek
Honda introduces the Honda Zero electric vehicle (EV) series, focusing on a "thin," "light," and "wise" approach to counter the trend of heavy EVs. The series will debut with the Saloon, a sleek sedan, and the Space-Hub, a boxier van-like concept. Both EVs emphasize aerodynamics, autonomy, and Honda's commitment to a new era of electric mobility | The Verge
Vietnamese EV startup VinFast unveils the VF Wild electric pickup truck concept at CES 2024, featuring mid-size dimensions and a folding midgate for versatile cargo space. The company also announces plans to globally sell its compact EV, the VF3, with an affordable price tag, with various details still under wraps | TechCrunch
Verge Motorcycles unveils the TS Ultra, an electric motorcycle with a hubless ring motor design and 201 horsepower. The standout feature is the Starmatter Vision sensor package, incorporating six cameras and two radar units for full 360 sensing, providing riders with advanced warning systems displayed on high-end graphics screens and connected audio systems | The Verge
Mullen Automotive's latest creation, the Five RS, storms onto the electric car scene with 1000bhp, aiming for speeds over 200mph and a jaw-dropping 0-60mph time under 2 seconds. Packed with cutting-edge tech, from rapid 800V charging to an AI-powered assistant, the RS is poised to rival the elite in the EV super-crossover arena | AutoCar
Ridehailing, Carsharing & Delivery
In a move impacting gig giants Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash, the Biden administration introduces a labor rule combating worker misclassification as contractors. While major app-based platforms express confidence, business groups highlight uncertainty, emphasizing the pivotal role of the Labor Department's enforcement in reshaping the gig economy landscape | MarketWatch
Kia and Uber have entered into a memorandum of understanding to utilize Kia's PBV (Platform Beyond Vehicle) modular electric vehicles for ride-hailing purposes. Uber aims to include the PV5, a mid-sized electric van designed for ride-hailing, in its options for drivers, aligning with its commitment to achieving an all-electric fleet globally by 2040 | The Verge
Waymo, Alphabet's autonomous vehicle subsidiary, plans to introduce freeway driving in Phoenix, potentially halving commutes for employees. The cautious approach to self-driving, prioritizing safety over speed, distinguishes Waymo from rivals like Tesla and Cruise, contributing to its success and positioning "Waymoing" as a potential term in the evolving language of ride-hailing | Bloomberg
Mobinn, a spinoff from Hyundai, has unveiled a delivery bot with flexible wheels designed to climb stairs effortlessly. Unlike many delivery bots that avoid stairs and curbs, Mobinn's robot uses an innovative set of wheels and an articulating frame to navigate inclines, making it suitable for delivering to locations with elevation changes | TechCrunch
Investment & Deals
Tier and Dott, two prominent micromobility operators in Europe, are merging to become the leading force in the industry. With a combined revenue of €250 million and over 125 million trips per year in 20+ countries, their goal is to support the transition to sustainable transport and achieve profitability | ZAGDaily
The Biden-Harris Administration has announced the allocation of $623 million in grants to further develop and expand the electric vehicle charging network | US DOT
Lordstown Motors, the bankrupt electric vehicle startup, may face a potential liability of $45 million for its violation of federal securities laws | TechCrunch
Munich's car subscription provider, FINN, successfully raises €100 million in Series C funding to expand its fleet of electric vehicles | Tech.eu
Securing Seed funding, FLEXeCHARGE strengthens its load and energy management services. With their open platform, customers gain the flexibility to connect with any software or hardware, leading to enhanced energy purchasing decisions and increased operational efficiencies | Tech.eu
Spanish mobility firm Cabify advances its sustainable mobility objectives by securing a €15 million loan from BBVA Spark. With a target to achieve 100 percent zero-emission trips in Spain by 2025, Cabify is actively accelerating its efforts towards environmental sustainability | Tech.eu
Cities & Policy
Seamless Bay Area, the chief transit advocacy group, pushes for a regional network manager to unify and streamline transit. A new bill proposes full consolidation of the 27 transit agencies, and Seamless Bay Area shares its perspective | StreetsBlog SF
Following an investigation by Streetsblog, several car dealerships have been shut down temporarily due to license plate fraud. Furthermore, officials have announced that seven dealerships, previously identified by Streetsblog as potential sellers of temporary tags, are now the subject of a criminal investigation | StreetsBlog NY
Bike Share Toronto has taken a step towards inclusivity by offering discounts to low-income users, and there are potential plans to expand these discounts in the future. Additionally, individuals who currently qualify for discounted TTC passes may also be eligible for Bike Share discounts later this year | CBC News
By reducing traffic speed limits, cities have the opportunity to expedite climate action. Embracing lower speed limits, like 30 km/h, on a wider range of roads is a clear and effective method for cities to prioritize the decarbonization of their transportation infrastructure | Policy Options
New Products, Features, and Data Points
Will.i.am's latest startup, Sound Drive, is on a mission to redefine the music industry and bring innovation to your car | TechCrunch
The term "software-defined vehicle" (commonly abbreviated as "SDV") has been around for some time, emerging in the mid-to-late 2010s to describe the transition of cars from primarily mechanical devices to predominantly software-controlled systems. This evolution is often compared to the transformative journey of smartphones, drawing parallels between the two industries, as noted by automakers and industry experts | TechCrunch
Bosch believes that in-car eye-tracking technology has the potential to be utilized for more than just safety measures. They envision its application in various other areas as well | TechCrunch
Google is bringing its Chrome browser to cars equipped with native Android apps, starting with Volvo and Polestar. Moreover, Android Auto will introduce innovative functionalities for electric vehicle owners to easily share battery information | The Verge
Sony introduces an exciting feature for its upcoming Afeela EV: the integration of Fortnite into the car's bumper. In a recent video, the company showcased several features of the vehicle, including the innovative capability to transform the bumper into a dynamic mobile billboard, displaying games and movies | The Verge
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