Half of Uber passengers reject self-driving cars, and Tesla Cybertruck becomes a police vehicle in the Bay Area of the United States | Overseas Daily
"Top 3 News"
Uber Investigation Reveals: Half of Passengers Refuse to Use Self-Driving Cars, Trust Issues Remain Unsolved
Key Points:
According to Uber's recent investigation, in areas where self-driving services are provided, approximately 50% of passengers decline to use self-driving cars. Uber has been involved in the field of self-driving since its early stages and has collaborated with several companies such as Waymo to launch self-driving fleets. Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi stated that the main concern of passengers currently is safety, and the company will focus on enhancing the safety performance of self-driving technology in the next few years before considering its economic benefits. Uber plans to gradually promote the development of self-driving services in the next few years. The CEO believes that within 3 to 7 years, self-driving will become a long-term benefit, not only benefiting Uber's business but also having a positive impact on society. However, the trust issue of passengers is still one of the greatest obstacles to the promotion of self-driving technology.
WAYMO and Uber (Source: electrek)
Opinions:
Uber's investigation results expose a significant challenge that self-driving technology encounters in the implementation process - the lack of trust. Although the concept of self-driving has become widely known, consumers still have profound concerns when facing this driverless technology, especially in terms of safety. This unease not only stems from doubts about the reliability of the technology but is also influenced by the negative reports of past self-driving accidents. Despite companies such as Waymo and Tesla continuously promoting self-driving technology, for the public to truly accept this technology, enterprises need to make more efforts in transparency and safety. The "safety first" mentioned by Uber's CEO is the key to solving the problem. Passengers' trust in self-driving will directly affect the promotion speed of this technology. In the next few years, the performance of self-driving technology in improving safety and reducing the accident rate will determine whether it can gain more people's recognition.
General Motors Sells More Electric Vehicles and Hybrid Vehicles in China for the First Time, Surpassing Fuel Vehicle Sales
Key Points:
General Motors (GM) achieved a major breakthrough in the Chinese market in the third quarter of 2024. The sales of electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles exceeded those of fuel vehicles for the first time, accounting for 53% of the total sales. GM delivered more than 224,000 new energy vehicle models in this quarter, an increase of 60.7% compared to the same period last year. This growth is mainly attributed to the compact electric vehicles of its joint venture SAIC-GM-Wuling, such as the Wuling Hongguang MINI EV. Despite the increase in new energy vehicle sales, the decline in fuel vehicle sales led to a 21% reduction in GM's overall sales compared to last year.
Dorango (Source: GM China)
Opinions:
With the implementation of China's new energy vehicle policies and the enhancement of consumers' demands for environmental protection and energy conservation, traditional fuel vehicles are gradually losing market share. The hot sales of economical electric vehicles such as the Wuling Hongguang MINI EV indicate that Chinese consumers have a huge demand for affordable and practical vehicle models. However, although the sales of new energy vehicles are growing rapidly, GM still faces fierce competition from local Chinese brands, especially companies like BYD that dominate the market with highly price-competitive vehicle models. GM's future development strategy will need to consider more local needs and product innovation to further increase its market share. In addition, although the popularization trend of new energy vehicles is irreversible, how to maintain long-term competitiveness in the rapidly growing market is a challenge for GM.
THK Will Debut LSR-05 Electric Prototype at the Paris Motor Show
Key Points:
The Japanese technology company THK announced that it will showcase its new electric prototype vehicle LSR-05 at the 2024 Paris Motor Show, marking the company's first appearance of an electric vehicle on an international stage outside of Japan. This vehicle integrates several of THK's cutting-edge technologies, including a silent seat sliding system, in-wheel motors with four-wheel steering system, active suspension, and contactless charging technology. The design of the LSR-05 emphasizes luxury, sportiness, and revolution, and the interior adopts an innovative seat layout to provide a spacious and comfortable driving and riding experience. It is expected that THK will use this model as a foundation to continue developing the next-generation LSR-07 prototype vehicle.
THK LSR-05 (Source: THK Japan)
Opinions:
THK's launch of the LSR-05 demonstrates its innovation ability in the field of electric vehicles. Several technologies of this model, especially the silent seat sliding system and contactless charging, are catering to the growing consumer demand for comfort and convenience. In the future, with the promotion and application of more such technologies, the user experience of electric vehicles will be greatly improved. In addition, the debut of the LSR-05 also indicates the technological leadership of the Japanese automotive industry in the global electric vehicle market, and it may open up a new market pattern in the high-end electric vehicle field in the future.
"Big Events"
NIO Will Release the Ultra-Economical Electric Vehicle Brand "Firefly" at NIO Day 2024
NIO Firefly (Source: electrek)
NIO Automobile announced that it will officially release its ultra-economical electric vehicle sub-brand with the code name "Firefly" at NIO Day on December 21, 2024. This new vehicle is priced between RMB 100,000 and 200,000 and is designed to meet the needs of the entry-level electric vehicle market. Firefly will not only be launched in China but also plans to enter the European market in 2025. This model will share NIO's existing battery swap technology and services and meet the European five-star safety crash standards, aiming to provide consumers with a cost-effective electric travel option.
Volkswagen Releases Tayron Crossover Model, Offering Two Plug-in Hybrid Options
Volkswagen Tayron (Source: Volkswagen)
In October 2024, Volkswagen released the new Tayron crossover SUV. This vehicle is positioned between the Touareg and Tiguan and offers two plug-in hybrid models with an electric range of more than 100 kilometers and a combined range of up to 850 kilometers. The Tayron highlights a simple design, rich technological configuration, and a strong towing capacity (up to 2.5 tons), making it suitable for daily driving and long-distance travel. Its luxurious interior uses high-end materials and offers three different equipment levels. It is expected that this vehicle will become a new favorite in the hybrid vehicle market, meeting consumers' dual demands for energy efficiency and luxurious driving experience.
Tesla Cybertruck Officially Joins the Irvine Police Department as a New Member of the Patrol Fleet
Tesla Cybertruck Irvine Police Department (Source: Tesla)
Tesla Cybertruck has officially joined the patrol fleet of the Irvine Police Department in California, USA, becoming the city's first electric police vehicle. The equipped Cybertruck has undergone special modifications, equipped with an advanced emergency light system, police communication equipment, and a remotely operated searchlight required for night patrols. In addition, the high-strength stainless steel body of the Cybertruck and the HEPA air filtration system further enhance the safety protection of police officers. Irvine is known for its support for sustainable development and innovative technologies. The introduction of the Cybertruck as a patrol vehicle further reflects the city's commitment to clean energy and public safety.
EVgo and Delta Electronics Join Hands to Develop the Next Generation Electric Vehicle Charging Architecture
In October 2024, EVgo and Delta Electronics announced a collaboration to jointly develop the next generation electric vehicle charging architecture to further promote the popularization of electric vehicles. This project plans to develop a 400kW ultra-high power charger and introduce dynamic power sharing technology to enable more flexible management of energy demand for multiple charging piles. This new architecture is expected to be available in 2026 and will support fast charging for a variety of electric vehicle models, reducing the construction cost of charging infrastructure and helping the electric vehicle industry to accelerate its expansion globally. At the same time, this project solves the efficiency bottleneck problem of traditional charging stations by introducing advanced software technology. Higher charging power means that vehicles can be charged in a shorter time, and dynamic power sharing will further optimize resource allocation and avoid inefficiency caused by excessive use of a single charging pile. In addition, this architecture will also strengthen the integration with the existing power grid, reduce the pressure on energy supply, and improve the overall reliability.
EVgo and Delta Electronics (Source: ElectricCarsReport)
EVgo is one of the largest public electric vehicle fast charging networks in the United States. As of 2024, it has more than 1 million registered user accounts and has deployed more than 1,000 fast charging stations in 65 metropolitan areas in 35 states in the United States. These charging stations support all major electric vehicle models and use multiple connector types, such as CCS, CHAdeMO, and Tesla adapters.
The company emphasizes sustainability, and its charging network uses only renewable energy. EVgo's charging stations are usually located in convenience stores and retail locations, allowing drivers to shop or handle daily affairs while charging. In addition, EVgo offers a variety of charging plans to meet different needs, and some plans have a monthly fee as low as $0.99.
"Cool Products"
Renault's Sub-brand Mobilize Duo
"Mobilize" is Renault's sub-brand focused on electric vehicles and has now launched its own models. The first is the "Duo" with a driving range of up to 100 miles, and its sister model "Bento" with a 649-liter cargo capacity.
Mobilize Duo (Source: TopGear)
These two models are very similar in appearance to Renault's "Twizy", but some significant technological advancements have occurred since the original two-seater model was launched 12 years ago.
Mobilize Duo (Source: TopGear)
The "Duo" is an electric four-wheel lightweight vehicle equipped with a 48V 10.3kWh battery used in the Renault Austral. This vehicle is 2.43 meters long and 1.3 meters wide, and is made of a series of environmentally friendly recycled plastics and materials. It is charged using a Type 2 socket, and it takes approximately three and a half hours to charge from 20% to 80%.
Mobilize stated that energy is recovered every time the accelerator is released, and they have also adjusted the suspension system to deal with the challenges of urban unpaved roads, so that the rear passengers will not feel bumps during the driving journey.
Mobilize Duo Interior (Source: TopGear)
In terms of interior configuration, the Duo provides more comfort facilities compared to the original Twizy model. For example, it is standard equipped with a driver's airbag (the first in a four-wheel lightweight vehicle), a heated driver's seat and windshield for winter use, and a washable fabric and a "boombox".