The Macan EV: Porsche's Bet on High-End Electric SUVs | January 26th, 2024
Plus, Swiss e-scooter brand VMAX established its own production facility in China and Apple's electric car project faces a scaled-back vision.
Issue [#223] - Every week, we deliver analysis and curation of emerging mobility news - post a job listing here!
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Micromobility
Microtransit, the rising star in urban mobility, offers tailored transit solutions, transforming how we move and connecting communities like never before. As cities embrace this innovative approach, the question lingers: is it time for Europe to hop on board the microtransit revolution? | ZAGDaily
Swiss e-scooter brand VMAX established its own production facility in China to ensure top-notch quality, worker rights, and complete control over its products. Committed to excellence, VMAX's factory in Yongkang upholds rigorous standards, fosters community integration, and prioritizes environmental sustainability through battery recycling and CO2 offset initiatives | ZAGDaily
Micromobility is reshaping transportation in North America, offering low-commitment alternatives to private cars and transforming urban design. With the rise of shared micromobility programs and increased adoption of e-devices, cities are reimagining streetscapes, prioritizing dedicated infrastructure, and reducing the need for vehicle parking, leading to more sustainable and human-centric environments | Planetizen
In Chicago, a study reveals how technology embedded in e-scooters could transform urban mobility by keeping riders off sidewalks and guiding them to safer routes. With insights gleaned from GPS data and onboard cameras, cities can pave the way for smarter infrastructure, making streets safer and more accessible for everyone | StreetsBlog Chicago
Product Launches & Updates
Apple's electric car project, codenamed Titan, faces a scaled-back vision with a shift from a fully autonomous vehicle to an electric car featuring more basic driver-assistance features. The new design targets a Level 2+ autonomy system, akin to Tesla's Autopilot, with a release date expected around 2028, as Apple grapples with challenges and changing strategies in its decade-long pursuit of an electric vehicle | Bloomberg
Rivian seeks approval from Laguna Beach City Council to park six vehicles for an upcoming "R2 launch" event on March 7th, hinting at the official announcement of its more affordable electric SUV, the R2. The filing suggests an undisclosed worldwide launch, with details revealed in a city park, anticipating Rivian's strategy to expand its electric vehicle lineup | The Verge
Porsche unveils its long-awaited Macan EV, priced from $78,800, aiming to gauge consumer interest in high-end electric SUVs amidst a shifting automotive landscape. With two variants offering power and luxury, Porsche navigates a market where demand for costly EVs faces challenges, emphasizing customer choice and driving preferences | TechCrunch
Meet the Fucare Scorpio, an electric bike blending urban utility with off-road prowess, sporting a distinctive dual rear suspension setup. Priced at $1,399, it packs power, LED lights, and utility features but faces questions about the effectiveness of its dual rear shocks, challenging the notion that more suspension is always better | Electrek
Ridehailing, Carsharing & Delivery
San Francisco takes on Waymo and the CPUC in a legal battle, demanding stricter oversight of robotaxi operations. The city argues for a reevaluation of Waymo's round-the-clock commercial license, citing concerns over traffic disruption, and aims to exert more control over the autonomous vehicle landscape | The Last Driver License Holder
New York City gears up for a micromobility revolution with the creation of the Department of Sustainable Delivery. As electric bikes and scooters flood the streets, the city seeks to navigate safety challenges while keeping the convenience of 24/7 deliveries intact, signaling a crucial step in urban mobility evolution | Bloomberg
Aurora Innovation, a leading autonomous vehicle technology company, underwent a workforce reduction of about 3% as part of its organizational review, amidst its ambitious goals to deploy self-driving trucks commercially by the end of 2024. Despite economic challenges and costly development, Aurora remains focused on advancing its self-driving technology for commercial use | TechCrunch
XeroE and Varamis have formed a partnership to introduce eco-friendly rail freight services from Birmingham to Glasgow starting February 2024, marking a significant step in sustainable urban freight transport. By leveraging economic rail freight for the middle mile, XeroE aims to address sustainability challenges while maintaining cost-effectiveness for clients | ZAGDaily
Investment & Deals
JetBlue and Spirit are challenging the ruling by a judge that obstructs their proposed merger | CNBC
ArcTern, a Toronto-based venture firm, has closed its largest fund to date, amounting to $335 million (USD). They seek to invest in climate-focused startups with the potential for quick returns, focusing on practical technologies rather than theoretical concepts | TechCrunch
Monta, a startup based in Copenhagen that focuses on electric vehicles, has successfully raised €80 million in Series B funding. This brings their total funding to €130 million since late 2020, as they continue to strengthen the EV ecosystem | Tech.eu
To expedite its growth in 2024, Fin, a sustainable logistics operator based in the UK, has acquired Urb-it, its rival company. This strategic move comes after Urb-it, headquartered in Stockholm, filed for bankruptcy and was subsequently delisted from Nasdaq | ZAGDaily
Cities & Policy
Dolores Ortiz Sanchez, Director General of Mobility at Madrid City Council, discussed Madrid's sustainable urban mobility approach at the Transport Innovation Summit 2023, including electrifying buses and implementing smart mobility systems | Intelligent Transport
LA Metro's consideration of granting Lyft the contract to operate its bike share program for the next 11 years raises concerns about potential negative outcomes | VELO
Zag explores Urban Sharing's MaaS project, developed in partnership with MOVE21, which enables easy integration for mobility operators while ensuring privacy by eliminating the need for Personally Identifiable Information | ZAGDaily
Senator Scott Wiener of San Francisco proposes S.B. 961, a bill to limit speeds of new cars and require safety guard rails for trucks, alongside companion bill S.B. 960, which focuses on safety in Caltrans construction projects | StreetsBlog SF
New Products, Features, and Data Points
Ford introduces a 48-inch digital dashboard for its vehicles, starting with the 2024 Lincoln Nautilus, offering ample Android features while remaining compatible with CarPlay and Android Auto | The Verge
Bosch eBike Systems CEO Claus Fleischer discusses with Zag how their division is driving improvements in road safety through 'Bike-to-X' connectivity, raising battery standards, and fostering active mobility | ZAGDaily
The Skarper e-bike kit stands out by converting almost any bicycle into an electric bike using a unique disc brake-driven system. Its sleek 4 kg (8.8 lb) clip-on mount houses the motor, battery, and electronics | Electrek
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