Tesla Cybertruck Explosion Near Trump Hotel Leaves One Dead, Seven Injured | January 3rd, 2025
Volocopter seeks restructuring after insolvency, Solaris enters the U.S. with electric buses, and Volkswagen’s JV boosts EV sales in China.
Issue [#270] - Every week, we deliver analysis and curation of emerging mobility news - post a job listing here!
Cities & Policy
The Colorado Safe Parking Initiative, which helped unhoused individuals park safely and access services, is ending in 2024 due to lack of funding. Despite its success, including partnerships with local organizations, federal and local funds dried up. While the need for safe parking remains high, with over 800 people identified as living in vehicles in Denver, the program's closure highlights the urgent need for sustainable solutions to address homelessness | CBS News
A Tesla Cybertruck exploded outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on New Year's Day, causing one death and injuring seven others. Authorities found fireworks and fuel canisters in the vehicle, linking the explosion to a detonation system controlled by the driver. While no further threats were found, the incident highlighted safety concerns. Tesla confirmed the explosion was unrelated to the vehicle’s design, as external explosives were involved | The Verge
California's new law, effective January 1, 2025, clarifies which electric bikes are street-legal. E-bikes that can exceed 20 mph on motor power alone or have over 750 watts of power, or lack operable pedals, are no longer classified as electric bicycles. These vehicles can still be used on private property or, if registered, as mopeds. This aims to regulate high-power e-bikes and ensure safety while promoting efficient transportation alternatives | Electrek
Sen. Linda Coleman-Madison proposes a $5 annual vehicle registration fee to fund Alabama’s Public Transportation Trust Fund, potentially generating $26 million annually. The funds would expand transit access, enabling job connectivity and boosting the economy, with every $1 million invested creating 40 jobs. Rural and urban counties would benefit. The bill faces challenges in the Republican-controlled legislature, but advocates highlight its transformative impact on jobs, healthcare access, and education for underserved communities | Alabama Reflector
A New Year’s resolution to use public transit could benefit personal finances, health, and the environment. While only 3.1% of Americans currently commute via transit, experts highlight its advantages, including reduced costs, exercise, and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Behavioral studies suggest habit changes, like trying transit, can improve life satisfaction. Encouraging experimentation with commuting methods could help shift reliance from cars, promoting sustainable practices and boosting satisfaction for urban residents | Bloomberg
Micromobility
California-based SUPER73 faces a lawsuit over its e-bikes' app-enabled speed settings, allegedly violating state laws. The bikes, advertised as legal Class 2 e-bikes, can be unlocked to exceed legal speed limits, raising safety and regulatory concerns. The company has updated its app to comply with 2025 regulations, restricting bikes to Class 2 mode. This case highlights challenges in balancing innovation, user flexibility, and adherence to evolving e-bike laws and safety standards | Bike Mag
Bike Durham activists created a temporary "present-protected" bike lane with gift-wrapped boxes to promote safer cycling during Christmas. This act of tactical urbanism highlighted the need for better bike infrastructure in Durham, where progress lags behind cities like Raleigh and Charlotte. Despite challenges, including restrictive state laws, Bike Durham continues to push for safer streets, bolstered by recent voter approval of a $115-million bond for street and sidewalk improvements | StreetsBlog USA
Product Launches & Updates
Tesla's Cybertruck, its first new model since 2020, failed to boost 2024 sales as annual deliveries dropped 2.2% to 1.77 million vehicles. Despite price cuts, only 85,133 "other models," including the Cybertruck, were delivered. Tesla faces challenges reaching new buyers and missed its 50% growth goal. With plans for cheaper vehicles uncertain and layoffs restructuring the company, Tesla is in a transition between growth phases | TechCrunch
Hyundai unveiled the Creta Electric SUV, its first localized EV in India, with a range of up to 293 miles. Borrowing IONIQ-inspired design elements, it features Active Air Flaps, Aero Alloy Wheels, and fast charging capabilities (10% to 80% in 58 minutes). Available in four models and various colors, it offers advanced features like vehicle-to-load technology and a digital key. Pricing starts around $25,000, with an official launch on January 17, 2025 | Electrek
ONYX Motorbikes has relaunched with the limited edition RCR LTD electric moped, featuring a 15 kW motor, 120-mile Eco mode range, and a top speed of 55+ mph. Priced at $4,299, it boasts a 3,240 Wh battery, unique holographic design, and smartphone monitoring. Only 100 units are available, making it a collector’s item. Standard production models are expected in spring, marking ONYX’s return after a year of challenges and setbacks | Electrek
Ridehailing, Carsharing & Delivery
The Drivers Cooperative challenges Uber and Lyft by offering drivers 80% of fares and equity stakes for as little as $200. Launched in Colorado with over 4,000 drivers, the co-op emphasizes transparency, better pay, and improved insurance coverage. Expanding nationally, it aims to empower drivers and counter low wages and safety issues in ridesharing. Despite financial hurdles, the cooperative seeks to redefine fair treatment for rideshare workers worldwide | Jacobin
Elon Musk's 2024 promises for Tesla include launching autonomous Cybercabs by 2025–2026, with production goals of 2 million units annually. He also envisions an unsupervised ride-hailing service using Tesla vehicles by 2025 and limited production of the humanoid Optimus robot. Despite Tesla’s history of missed deadlines, Musk continues to push ambitious goals, aiming to revolutionize autonomy and expand Tesla’s influence across the ride-hailing and robotics sectors | TechCrunch
Hertz is offering EV renters the option to purchase their rental vehicles, like Teslas and Chevy Bolts, at competitive prices. This strategy, confirmed by Hertz, aims to boost car sales while addressing reduced rental demand for EVs. Buyers receive a limited 12-month warranty and a buy-back option. Hertz’s shift follows challenges with EV repairs and maintenance, highlighting the evolving dynamics in electrifying rental fleets and the push for sustainable mobility solutions | The Verge
A Waymo robotaxi collided with a Serve delivery robot at a Los Angeles intersection on December 27. The Serve bot, under remote supervision, entered the vehicle lane as the Waymo turned, resulting in minor contact. Neither vehicle was damaged, and no passengers were involved. Both companies are collaborating to prevent similar incidents, highlighting the growing need to address liability and safety concerns as autonomous vehicles increasingly share public roads | TechCrunch
Lyft is suing San Francisco, claiming the city overcharged $100 million in taxes by misclassifying driver earnings as company revenue. The dispute stems from how the city calculated taxes from 2019 to 2023, based on passenger payments. Lyft argues that drivers are its customers, not employees, and the issue reflects broader concerns about gig economy firms and worker classification, highlighting ongoing regulatory challenges in the sector | Bloomberg
Investment & Deals
Volocopter filed for insolvency, seeking restructuring to secure funding for its 2025 market entry. Despite raising $544.4 million from investors like Daimler, Geely, and Sumitomo Corp, recent fundraising fell short. The company’s provisional insolvency proceedings aim to attract new investment, guided by administrator Tobias Wahl. Known for pioneering eVTOL aircraft, Volocopter plans to continue operations and remains optimistic about its market leadership, despite financial challenges and uncertainty in the European eVTOL industry | Tech.eu
Solaris signed its first U.S. contract with King County Metro in Seattle for the delivery of four battery-electric buses, with an option for 12 more. This deal marks Solaris’ entry into the North American market, aligning with its 2026 Strategic Plan. The buses, featuring advanced zero-emission technology, will arrive in late 2026. This partnership supports King County’s zero-emission goals and expands sustainable transit options in North America | Electric Car Reports
Volkswagen’s joint venture with SAIC Motor sold over 130,000 ID electric vehicles in China in 2024, marking a 24% increase from 2023 and securing the title of best-selling joint venture EV series. The ID.3 led as the top A-class hatchback. SAIC-VW plans to launch 18 new models in China by 2030, including EVs and hybrids, supporting Volkswagen’s "In China, for China" strategy to compete in the growing EV market | Electrek
New Products, Features, and Data Points
Apple's promised next-gen CarPlay, announced in 2022 and slated for 2024, remains absent in vehicles. While some automakers, like Porsche and Aston Martin, hinted at adoption, no clear timelines have emerged. Resistance from companies like GM, prioritizing control over their systems, adds to delays. Despite limited updates, such as map integration in instrument clusters, Apple's vision for dashboard-wide functionality faces uncertain implementation, leaving its future in question | The Verge
Volkswagen Group’s Cariad software unit exposed sensitive data from around 800,000 vehicles, including precise location details for 460,000 cars, for months. The leak affected electric Audi, Seat, Skoda, and Volkswagen models across Europe. The issue, revealed by researchers at a Chaos Computer Club event, has since been resolved, with no evidence of unauthorized access. Cariad continues to face challenges, including delays and restructuring efforts | TechCrunch
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