by Grace Dawes | Nov 7, 2024 | Autos, Fleets, Popular, Smart Cities, Tech & Data |
California-based electric flight start-up Archer Aviation has agreed to bring advanced air mobility services to Japan with Soracle, a joint venture between Japan Airlines and Sumitomo Corporation.
The company will dispatch 100 of its Midnight electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft as part of the $500 million deal.
Soracle plans to use the air taxis “in cities where existing ground transportation is constrained by traffic or geographic barriers,” the company said in the announcement.
Route locations for the eVTOLs could include Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Hokkaido, Setouchi and Okinawa.
“Japan is widely respected for its forward thinking approach to transportation and this investment into advanced air mobility is yet another example of that,” said Andrew Cummins, Senior Director of Business Development at Archer. “We’re proud to stand with Soracle ahead of this new era of flight—together, we are committed to bringing an innovative, sustainable and convenient transportation alternative to the country.”
Archer’s electric aircraft, Midnight, can travel at speeds up to 150 mph, requires minimal charge time in between flights, is100x quieter than a helicopter at cruising altitudes and can carry up to four passengers.
by Grace Dawes | Nov 7, 2024 | Business, Energy & Charging, Popular, Smart Cities, Tech & Data |
Telecoms service giant AT&T has partnered with lamppost electric vehicle (EV) charging start-up Voltpost to provide IoT connectivity to EV charging posts across Michigan and the Metro-Detroit area.
Voltpost operates by retrofitting lampposts into a modular EV charging platform, providing connected charging infrastructure in cities and companies as well as scalable curbside and parking lot charging.
Use and deployment of curb side charging is rare in the States yet helpful for those incapable of charging EVs at home.
The collaboration with AT&T reportedly aims to “enhance charger uptime and help ensure reliable charging access for drivers”.
“We are dedicated to fostering innovation and supporting emerging tech that will shape the transportation sector. As cities move toward a more sustainable future, enabling cities to scale their charging networks with existing infrastructure and advanced connectivity is a game-changer,” said Joe Mosele, Vice President, AT&T Connected Solutions.
Voltpost has reported a pipeline of upcoming deployments, with chargers to be installed at several sites across Michigan, New York, and Illinois.
AT&T recently announced its gigaton goal to help businesses reduce 1 billion metric tons of CO2 by 2035 through connectivity backed solutions such as fiber, 5G and IoT.
by Grace Dawes | Nov 6, 2024 | Business, Fleets, Popular, Smart Cities |
Food delivery company DoorDash and ride-hailing giant Lyft have partnered to offer benefits on both rides and local deliveries.
DoorDash will enable its premium members – DashPass – to unlock monthly ride-share benefits at no additional cost, and eligible Lyft riders will receive a free trial of DashPass.
The partnership comes at the same time as DoorDash announced a recent 25% increase in revenue in its Q3 findings report.
Users of both platforms can now receive benefits on their respective services, including:
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5% off on-demand Lyft rides and 10% off scheduled airport rides (up to 4 per month combined)
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2 free Priority Pickup upgrades per month
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A 3-month free DashPass trial for new members
Plus, users who link their accounts by December 31 can receive an upgraded perk of 50% off up to 4 scheduled airport rides through the end of the year and 50% off one DoorDash order.
EVP of Rider Experience at Lyft, Audrey Liu, said:
“With DoorDash, we’re continuing to give riders more reasons to choose Lyft every time through partnerships that serve amazing value and savings on everything from local delivery, to travel, and more.”
In 2023, approximately 20% of the ride-hailing company’s journeys had a direct connection to a partner.
DashPass members and Lyft riders can link their accounts here to access these benefits. Find out more about eligibility and benefits here.
by Grace Dawes | Oct 31, 2024 | Autos, Fleets, Popular, Smart Cities |
The Indian government has announced plans to launch the ‘Bharat Urban Megabus Mission’ in 2025 with a goal of deploying 100,000 electric buses by March 2030.
Cities with a population of more than 1 million people will receive an electric bus fleet to encourage more use of public transport rather than private transport.
The government’s goal is for public transport to account for 60% of all motorised trips by 2030 and up to 80% by 2036.
The Bharat Urban Megabus Mission will be funded by an investment of 1.75 lakh crore Indian rupees (approximately 19.24 billion euros).
“The aim is to make public transport the preferred mode of transport and walking and cycling attractive for everyone,” a spokesperson from the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs told The Economic Times.
by Grace Dawes | Oct 29, 2024 | Events, Fleets, Interviews, MOVE America, Popular, Smart Cities |
Rail opportunities are expanding in Texas, particularly high-speed rail. At MOVE America 2024, Amtrak‘s SVP of High-Speed Rail, Andy Byford, discussed the significant potential for rail expansion in the southern states of the U.S.
Emphasising the growing demand for efficient transportation solutions, Byford detailed the railroad company’s vision for rail in Texas.
Amtrak is currently exploring projects such as the proposed rail line between Dallas and Houston, while also considering the potential for high-intensity commuter services connecting San Antonio to Austin.
“There are huge opportunities right now to expand rail in Texas,” Byford stated, underlining the widespread sentiment among stakeholders that more rail options are essential. “Without question, it’s the right thing to do,” he said.
Watch the full interview below to find out how Amtrak’s vision for high-speed rail can play in transforming transportation in Texas and beyond.
by Grace Dawes | Oct 29, 2024 | Autos, Business, Fleets, Popular, Smart Cities |
Waymo has closed an investment round of $5.6 billion, led by Alphabet, and contributed to by Andreessen Horowitz, Fidelity, Perry Creek, Silver Lake, Tiger Global, and T. Rowe Price.
Waymo has promised to utilise this funding to “welcome more riders […] in San Francisco, Phoenix, and Los Angeles, and in Austin and Atlanta,” and to continue advancing their AI-powered autonomous driving system, Waymo Driver.
Waymo declined to report how much investment each company contributed to the 10-digit total.
“While AI is only just beginning to capture the public imagination, Waymo has been working to bring its endless possibilities to the world of physical transportation for years,” said Egon Durban, Co-CEO, Silver Lake. “The Waymo Driver leads in earning trust by safely actualizing the value and potential of AI through cutting-edge research, practical solutions, and a vastly expanding scope and scale of real world experience.”
Through their partnership with Uber, Waymo has promised to begin to serve riders in Austin and in 2025.
The ride-hailing giant has also begun fully autonomous freeway operations in Phoenix and San Francisco, enabling them to provide over 100,000 paid weekly trips—a tenfold increase from last year.
The company notes they are broadening horizons by testing their systems in more complex environments through road trips to cities like Buffalo, New York, and Washington, D.C.
by Grace Dawes | Oct 24, 2024 | Business, Fleets, Popular, Smart Cities |
London private taxi hire giant Addison Lee has been bought by ComfortDelGro Corporation Limited’s wholly-owned subsidiary CityFleet Networks for £269.1 million.
CityFleet Networks will acquire the operator’s 7,500 drivers and 5,000 vehicle fleet and will expand the service into other UK cities including Liverpool, the Wirral, Chester and Aberdeen under the buyer’s ownership.
ComfortDelGro’s Managing Director & Group CEO, Cheng Siak Kian said:
“Beyond expanding our footprint in the UK, this acquisition will enable us to use Addison Lee’s expertise to deepen and scale our premium point-to-point capability globally. It will also strengthen our overall point-to-point proposition, creating strong synergy with our existing businesses.”
The Group also owns and operates Metroline buses and Westbus coaches in London, Adventure Travel buses and coaches in Wales, as well as the Megabus, Scottish Citylink and Irish Citylink inter-city coach services.
The CEO of Addison Lee, Liam Griffin, said:
“This, alongside the strength and heritage of the Addison Lee brand, has positioned us perfectly for further expansion into the premium segment. ComfortDelGro is a perfect complementary fit for us. They share our philosophy, vision, and ambition for the Addison Lee brand and bring significant international industry expertise to the business.”
The addition of Addison Lee will grow the Group’s taxi and private hire network to more than 34,000 vehicles globally.
by Grace Dawes | Oct 23, 2024 | Autos, Popular, Smart Cities |
Waymo riders can now earn $3 credit on their account for use on future rides when they choose use transit stations in San Francisco and the Peninsula.
Credits will be applied to riders’ Waymo accounts when they use Waymo’s fully autonomous ride-hailing service “Waymo One” to or from eligible Bay Area transit stations.
The pilot program will run from November 15 and credits will be available for use until December 31, 2024.
The pilot is reportedly the first of its kind in the U.S and launched after Waymo found that 36% of their San Francisco riders use Waymo One to connect to transit stations.
Only a handful of stations are valid for the deal, including but not limited to:
- BART: Colma, Daly City
- BART/Muni: Balboa Park, Glen Park
- Muni: West Portal, Revere / Shafter (T Third Street line)
- Caltrain: 4th & King Street, 22nd Street
Photo: Waymo
The credits will automatically be added to a rider’s account if they go to or from one of those stations with no proof needed of transit use – however only one $3 credit is issued per day, regardless of the number of rides to and/or from these stations.
“Connecting people with sustainable transportation is at the heart of Waymo’s mission to build the world’s most trusted driver,” said Adam Lenz, Head of Sustainability and Environment at Waymo. “By offering electric rides on demand and improving access to public transit, Waymo One is making daily travel more sustainable and convenient. Our riders consistently tell us they value sustainability, and we’re proud to offer it as a core benefit to the communities we serve.”
If you would like to start earning transit credits in San Francisco and the Peninsula, simply download the Waymo One app to start hailing rides to eligible stations today.
by Grace Dawes | Oct 22, 2024 | Business, Energy & Charging, Fleets, Popular, Smart Cities |
New York City (NYC) has announced an agreement with Atlantic Aviation to prepare for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft operations in the City.
Atlantic Aviation has extended its concession agreement with New York City’s Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) and the City of New York for operations at the East 34th Street Heliport for the next five years.
Atlantic plans to soon begin a project to upgrade utility infrastructure and install charging stations at the heliport to support the eVTOL operations.
The East 34th Street Heliport facility provides support for helicopter operations in and around NYC and serves as a key facility to handle flights for the adjacent NYU Langone Health Center.
Atlantic is actively working with partners BETA Technologies, Joby Aviation, Archer Aviation, and others to understand aircraft needs and adapt the site for eVTOL operations.
NYCEDC President & CEO Andrew Kimball stated the department’s ambition for the eVTOL operations to become a “true asset for New Yorkers.”
NYC is reportedly poised to be a key market for early eVTOL operations, and Atlantic’s project at the 34th Street Heliport will play a critical role in the region’s introduction of these innovative aircraft.
“Atlantic Aviation is firmly committed to continuing our position as the leader in innovation and sustainability within the business aviation industry,” said John Redcay, chief commercial and sustainability officer at Atlantic Aviation. “Maintaining our presence at the East 34th Street Heliport and expanding infrastructure there to support eVTOL operations aligns with our commitment to community-beneficial transportation solutions and will support New York City on its journey to facilitating quiet and sustainable aviation operations.
by Grace Dawes | Oct 18, 2024 | Autos, Energy & Charging, Popular, Smart Cities |
Michèle Dix, CBE and Commissioner at the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC), outlined a clear vision for the future of UK roads by 2050 during her address at the Highways UK event, with a central focus on decarbonisation.
She emphasised that achieving the UK’s climate targets will require a transformation of the road network to accommodate electric fleets and build a national charging infrastructure.
Dix highlighted the NIC’s recommendation for rapid expansion of the charging network, which must grow by 30% annually to support 100% electric vehicle sales by 2030.
“Encouraging the take-up of electric vehicles and charging infrastructure is crucial to decarbonisation,” she said, stressing the importance of keeping pace with demand to reduce emissions from road transport.
Touching on autonomous vehicles, Dix noted that while self-driving technology holds promise, its widespread public use remains uncertain due to high costs.
Dix suggested: “Self-driving cars are more expensive, so we recommend that self-driving vehicles are deployed in the commercial sector before the public sector.”
With 2050 fast approaching, Dix made it clear that a comprehensive strategy is essential for the UK to meet its net-zero targets and maintain a competitive edge in the evolving mobility sector.
by Grace Dawes | Oct 17, 2024 | Energy & Charging, Popular, Smart Cities |
Last night, North Lanarkshire council near Glasgow, Scotland received the Net-Zero award at the Highways UK Excellence Awards.
The council was granted the award for their partnership with decarbonisation solutions provider Amey and their joint pothole repair project, dubbed ADEPT Live Labs 2.
British television present Matt Baker presented the award, stating:
“Through ADEPT Live Labs 2, Amey and North Lanarkshire Council have developed a trusted, repeatable trial methodology to accuratley measure the whole lifecycle carbon of different pothole and patch repair materials through a live testing environment, enabling the sector to identify and share best practice to achieve net-zero.”
The ADEPT Live Labs 2 project is a three-year, UK-wide, £30 million programme funded by the Department for Transport that aims to decarbonise local roads and highways infrastructure.
Baker granted many other awards during the ceremony, including the Innovation Award – won by Connect Plus Services – and the Collaborative Partnership Award – won by Oxfordshire County Council & Milestone Infrastructure.
by Grace Dawes | Oct 16, 2024 | Business, Popular, Smart Cities |
This morning Lillian Greenwood MP, Minister for the Future of Roads, for the Department for Transport has highlighted the pressing need for long-term investment in the UK’s road infrastructure at the Highways UK event in Birmingham.
Introducing the Highways Sector Council’s “Ways of Life” campaign, the minister emphasised how essential to British roads are to its economy and daily life, but made warning of the significant financial commitments needed to maintain and modernise the network.
Greenwood called the strategic road network the “backbone of Britain.”
However, she acknowledged the substantial carbon footprint of road transport that could underscore the importance of innovative, sustainable road design.
The government’s Third Road Investment Strategy (RIS3) is set to outline a multi-year approach to ensure long-term stability, safety, and environmental responsibility.
Greenwood assured that while the government is committed to investing, it must balance priorities with fiscal constraints.
“We can’t afford to make all the investments we’d like to immediately,” she noted, with more clarity expected after the government’s budget review.
She reiterated the need for sustained funding, particularly for essential maintenance like fixing potholes, as well as for future-proofing infrastructure to meet growing demands.
“We want to rebuild Britain with the modern transport infrastructure that the public deserves,” Greenwood affirmed, stressing that investment is key the government’s vision.
by Grace Dawes | Oct 15, 2024 | Autos, Popular, Smart Cities |
Yamato, Japan’s largest delivery company, has announced a partnership and £2 million investment in all-electric delivery start-up – HIVED – to advance sustainable and tech-driven logistics across both the UK and Japan.
The delivery giant, which commands 47% of Japan’s logistics market and handles over 2.3 billion parcels annually, is recognised globally for its innovative use of technology to enhance efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Murvah Iqbal, CEO and co-founder of HIVED said: “As a world-leader in logistics, Yamato brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that will accelerate our growth and improve our operations.
The collaboration also aligns with the goals of the Hiroshima Accord between the UK and Japan, signed in 2023, which focuses on greater collaboration and investment across key strategic sectors, such as technology and sustainability.
Yasuhiro Saito, Head of Innovation and Investment at Yamato Holdings said: “We believe HIVED’s model will offer customers new value and a transformative delivery experience. As partners, we aim to collaborate closely, exchanging business insights to drive growth together.”
by Grace Dawes | Oct 10, 2024 | Autos, Fleets, Popular, Smart Cities, Tech & Data |
Renault’s urban mobility unit Mobilize has just unveiled two mini electric utility vehicles that are being dubbed as quadricycles made from 40% recycled materials.
The uniquely-designed vehicles come in two models – Duo and Bento. The Duo model is a two-seater yet boasts a central driver position that can be driven without a license and is 100% electric.
The Bento version is similar with the same butterfly-style doors and also being entirely emission-free. However, the Bento model is instead described as a “micro van” and does require a driver’s license to be driven. This version is also fitted with a cargo box and no rear seat, remaining ultra-compact.
Gianluca De Ficchy, CEO of Mobilize, said: “Responding to the challenges of mobility in and around cities, Duo and Bento reflect the vision of Mobilize: to bring retail and business customers mobility solutions that are safer, simpler, more eco-friendly and closely aligned with the major issues facing cities today.”
The two models are expected to start rolling out in 2025 and will be available through the Renault network.
by Grace Dawes | Oct 9, 2024 | Fleets, Popular, Smart Cities |
Madrid has announced a ban on the use of rental e-scooters as operators will have until October 25 to remove all their scooters from the Spanish capital’s streets.
Lime, Dott and Tier Mobility all had their licenses withdrawing as they reportedly failed to implement limits following an outcry against unsafe driving and reckless parking from their rental users.
According to Mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida, the three micro-mobility operators failed to meet “the requirements set by the mayor’s office to ensure the highest level of safety for citizens,” in Madrid.
The providers were also reportedly criticised for failing to control where the e-scooters could be driven or parked on public roads.
Since May 2023, the Madrid city council had authorised Dott, Tier Mobility and Lime to rent 2,000 scooters each in the city.
Madrid is not the first city to make this move, as last year in April Paris also announced the eradication of rental e-scooters from public roads.
by Billie Harrison | Oct 8, 2024 | Fleets, Popular, Smart Cities, Tech & Data |
Google has teamed up with a North American parking reservation start-up SpotHero to its offering into Google Maps and and Google Search.
This partnership will open up availability to over 8,000 location in the U.S. and Canada for nearby drivers to reserve.
SpotHero will integrate directly into Google Maps and Search to enable users to find parking options and availability near their destination and to expand access to its digital parking solutions for drivers across North America.
To access this feature, Google Search and Google Maps users will be able to search for parking near their destination and reserve it using the “Book Online” button, which will direct them to the SpotHero website where they can complete their reservation using SpotHero’s secure payment options.
Users will also be able to reserve their parking spot in advance using SpotHero’s date and time filters and choose a facility that offers EV charging, wheelchair accessibility, valet services, and more.
by Grace Dawes | Oct 8, 2024 | Autos, Energy & Charging, Fleets, Popular, Smart Cities, Tech & Data |
Uber Technologies has announced it will be rolling out an artificial intelligence (AI) assistant system from early 2025 to help answer driver’s questions about electric vehicles (EVs).
The ride-hailing giant announced the update at its Go-Get Zero event in London on Tuesday in a bid to encourage greater EV adoption.
“Uber drivers are adopting EVs five times faster than the average motorist in the U.S., Canada and Europe. In London, nearly 30% of all miles driven on Uber are now electric,” CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said.
According to Uber, the AI assistant – powered by Open AI’s flagship GPT-4o model – will reportedly answer questions about electric vehicles exclusively to begin with.
Questions such as where to charge EVs or which one to buy, but the integration will reportedly span into other use cases in the future, according to Tech Crunch.
The chatbox will launch in the United States and is expected to span to other locations over time.
by Grace Dawes | Oct 2, 2024 | Autos, Fleets, Popular, Smart Cities, Tech & Data |
Toyota Motor Corporation has announced it will be investing $500 million in California-based electric flying air taxi company Joby Aviation.
The investment, which will bring Toyota’s total investment in Joby to $894 million, will be partially funded later this year and the remaining amount in 2025.
Joby recently rolled out its third aircraft off its pilot production line in Marina, California, and is developing an expanded facility in California that will more than double the Company’s manufacturing footprint.
Tetsuo “Ted” Ogawa, who signed the agreement as the Operating Officer on behalf of Toyota Motor Corporation said, “With this additional investment, we are excited to see Joby certify their aircraft and shift to commercial production. We share Joby’s view that sustainable flight will be central to alleviating today’s persistent mobility challenges.”
Toyota’s relationship with Joby began through an initial investment made by Toyota Ventures, the early-stage venture capital arm of the automaker. Toyota Motor Corporation subsequently completed investments totalling $394 million.
by Ranju Singh | Oct 1, 2024 | Energy & Charging, Fleets, Popular, Smart Cities, Tech & Data |
Autonomous robot company Serve Robotics, that delivers food for Uber Eats using self-driven sidewalk robots, has said it will be partnering with Alphabet-owned company Wing Aviation in order to pilot drone deliveries.
The pilot will reportedly take place in Dallas, Texas and will conduct a trial of Serve’s robots picking up food from restaurants and transfering it to Wing drones for aerial delivery.
Serve’s CEO, Ali Kashani, has claimed the new multi-modal delivery service will expand the company’s reach, enabling 30-minute autonomous deliveries citywide.
Up until the announcement, Serve’s operations have thus far been active in Los Angeles, where its deliveries consist of food and groceries from brands such as 7-Eleven and Shake Shack.
Serve Robotics was originally spun out of the delivery company Postmates in 2021 and claims its services are a safer alternative to cars and can help reduce traffic congestion as their operations are primarily on sidewalks.
The drone pilot is expected to begin in Dallas, TX within the next few months.
by Ranju Singh | Sep 30, 2024 | Fleets, Popular, Press Releases, Smart Cities, Tech & Data |
According to a consumer survey conducted by Verra Mobility of 2,000 Americans who currently own or lease a vehicle manufactured in 2019 or newer, 51% of Americans find the idea of a vehicle being a “digital wallet” appealing and 54% would enable this feature if available.
In 2020, 91% of new vehicles sold in the U.S. were considered connected, and this number is projected to grow. The U.S is the largest market for connected vehicles. According to Statista, it is projected that by 2025, more than 400 million connected cars will be in operation worldwide, up from approximately 237 million in 2021.
Here’s a quick look at just some of the surprising findings:
- 57% of Americans said connected vehicle services are a reason they would spend more on a vehicle.
- Nearly 50% were using at least one service, such as FordPass®, Subaru STARLINK®, HondaLink®, NissanConnect®, Stellantis UConnect®, etc.
- 70% of survey respondents said they would prefer to not connect their smartphone to their vehicle to enable digital services.
- 40% had paid for or renewed a subscription, such as a vehicle manufacturer’s app.
- 39% reported signing up for a connected vehicle service using the vehicle’s infotainment system.
According to vice president of innovation, Cathi Chinn, “When it comes to connected vehicles, we are just getting started and I believe the number of Americans opting in to these types of services and seeing value from them will continue to grow exponentially in the coming years.”
Download the full report here.
