The Electric Shift: Small EVs Fade as Giants Dominate | December 22nd, 2023
Plus, May Mobility is set to launch its fully driverless service, and Porsche and Aston Martin will feature next-generation CarPlay in their 2024 vehicles
Issue [#218] - Every week, we deliver analysis and curation of emerging mobility news - post a job listing here!
Micromobility
Check out this video from The Rideshare Guy of a Waymo cutting him off in LA - who's at fault?!
As Europe battles congestion and pollution, cities like Paris, Barcelona, and Brussels are revolutionizing urban living. From Paris' dramatic decline in car use with bike-friendly policies to Barcelona's innovative superblocks, and Brussels' efforts to cut traffic through bollards, these cities are reshaping their landscapes for a greener, more pedestrian-friendly future | The Guardian
In a year marked by the rise of supersized and costly electric vehicles, the demise of compact and budget-friendly EVs like ElectraMeccanica, Honda, and Sono highlights the challenges faced by smaller, eco-friendly options. As automakers lean towards bulkier models, questions arise about the environmental cost of overlooking efficient alternatives | TechCrunch
In a tragic incident, Hollywood producer Robert George lost his life to a "dooring" collision while cycling, underscoring the dangers faced by cyclists and the urgent need for enhanced safety measures. As cyclists advocate for greater awareness and improved infrastructure, the incident sheds light on the importance of creating bike-friendly urban spaces to prevent such heartbreaking accidents in the future | LA Times
In a dangerous trend dubbed "car bloat," the expanding size of American SUVs and trucks is wreaking havoc—leading to more pedestrian deaths, environmental harm, and increased costs for everyone. As automakers push for larger vehicles and consumers embrace them, the urgent need for government action to curb this automotive gigantism becomes evident | Slate
The cycling community mourns the loss of comedian Kenny DeForest, whose fatal crash on a Citi Bike in Brooklyn has comedians rallying for enhanced biking safety. Initially reported as a car incident, it was later clarified as a collision with a parked car, emphasizing the pressing need for protected bike lanes | StreetBlogs NYC
Product Launches & Updates
VanMoof is gearing up for a thrilling comeback under fresh leadership after a brief setback. With plans to roll out replacement parts, resume e-bike sales, and unveil a new VanMoof e-scooter in the first half of 2024, the company is poised to reclaim its status in the electric mobility scene | The Verge
Dutch startup Squad Mobility is introducing a solar-powered EV, the "Solar Buggy," for pre-order in the US, targeting the Low-Speed Vehicle (LSV) market with a federal speed limit of 25 mph. Emphasizing solar power, the compact EV features a roof-mounted solar panel providing up to 13.6 miles of extra range on sunny days, with plans for a 2025 US market entry | Electrek
Electric Bike Company (EBC) stands out with its customizable Model J electric moped-style bike, offering a broad spectrum of color options and accessories through its EBC Customizer. Assembled in Southern California, the Model J is characterized by its Super73-inspired design, comfort, and an extensive list of personalization choices, with the ability to add more features | Electrek
Toyota debuts the Toyota Crown Sport PHEV in Japan, a high-performance plug-in hybrid SUV boasting 301 hp and a remarkable 55 miles of electric range. What sets it apart is its innovative V2H feature, turning the vehicle into a backup power source during emergencies, providing a unique blend of performance and disaster support | Green Car Reports
Ridehailing, Carsharing & Delivery
Fairway and Instacart are revolutionizing NYC grocery runs with "Fairway Now" – a swift 30-minute delivery service for essentials. This collaboration involves in-store changes, including a dedicated Instacart aisle stocked with frequently purchased items, initially rolling out in Chelsea and the Upper East Side | Modern Delivery
Waymo claims that its Waymo Driver self-driving vehicles exhibit superior safety performance compared to human drivers, with a reported 57% reduction in police-reported crashes and an 85% reduction in crashes causing bodily injury. The data, covering 7.14 million rider-only miles in areas like San Francisco and Phoenix, emphasizes the safety superiority of autonomous driving over human-operated vehicles | Electrek
Microtransit, promising door-to-door on-demand mobility at the cost of regular buses, faces challenges in scaling without extensive subsidies. While initial programs like Wilson, North Carolina's RIDE saw success, the efficiency and affordability diminish as ridership grows, posing a dilemma for officials aiming to expand services | Bloomberg
Unlike its competitors, May Mobility, an autonomous vehicle operator, focuses on selling long-term transportation contracts to businesses and governments, emphasizing on-demand services in geofenced areas. The company is set to launch its fully driverless service in Sun City, Arizona, catering to a retirement community, highlighting its commitment to safe and strategic deployment | The Verge
Investment & Deals
South Korean VCs, Sunbo Angel Partners and Lighthouse Combined Investment, strategically invest in Lightyear's solarEV innovation. These investors have strong connections to South Korea's automotive industry and other manufacturing corporate alliances | Tech.eu
Bird has entered into a comprehensive restructuring support agreement with its first- and second-lien lenders, aiming to enhance its financial position | Bird
Munro Vehicles' 4x4 EVs receive a significant investment boost from Elbow Beach Capital, highlighting their ability to withstand challenging operating environments and optimize service life | Tech.eu
Following a substantial $2.2 billion funding infusion from CYVN Holdings in Abu Dhabi, Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer NIO (NIO) experiences a surge in popularity. NIO's stock rises over 5% on Monday, reflecting the positive impact of the investment | Electrek
Micromobility.com, the popular website, has recently faced the consequence of being delisted from the Nasdaq stock exchange, affecting its public trading status and visibility in the financial market | TechCrunch
Cities & Policy
Following a holiday meltdown that left millions of passengers stranded, Southwest Airlines has been hit with a substantial fine of $140 million. However, as part of the resolution, the airline will allocate a $90 million fund to provide compensation to affected travelers in case of future delays | The Verge
Tesla was informed by tens of thousands of customers about numerous part failures on low-mileage cars, including wheels falling off, suspensions collapsing, and axles breaking. Despite initially blaming drivers for vehicle "abuse," internal documents demonstrate that Tesla had been aware of these recurring issues for years | Reuters
Tesla is seeking a pause in a federal agency's lawsuit alleging racial bias against its Black workers at the Fremont assembly plant | TechCrunch
Concerns arise within the Biden administration regarding the upcoming influx of Chinese battery factories being established in Mexico, which has the potential to escalate the trade war between the United States and China | Electrek
New Products, Features, and Data Points
Porsche and Aston Martin will be the first high-end automakers to introduce Apple's immersive next-generation CarPlay in their 2024 vehicles. This new feature promises a seamless and integrated design experience that combines the best aspects of both the car and the iPhone | The Verge
At CES 2024, LG collaborated with Saint-Gobain Sekurit, a global leader in glazing solutions, to unveil their next-generation transparent antenna for vehicles. This innovative design aims to provide a seamless integration and improved telecommunications capabilities | LG Newsroom
Consumer Reports has labeled Tesla's solution for the Autopilot recall, affecting over 2 million vehicles, as "insufficient" based on their preliminary tests | TechCrunch
Chinese automaker NIO showcased the range potential of its 150 kWh solid-state batteries, while their manufacturer, WeLion, revealed plans for mass production. This advancement could revolutionize EV mobility with faster charging, extended driving range, and improved safety | Electrek
If you liked this post from Movements, why not share it? Forward it to a friend and we'll send you some sweet karma!