While Tesla is thinking about a utopian future populated by a self driving van and shuttle bus, autonomous software company Oxa has fully electric Ford E-Transit vans and shuttles that are operating on UK and US roads today.

“Great to see Tesla’s Robotaxi unveiled … including the Robovan. But why wait?” Those are the words of Oxa’s VP of Director Strategic Partnerships & Universal Vehicle Autonomy, Paul Reynolds, on LinkedIn – and it’s hard to argue against the idea that if a self-driving van is a good idea five years from now, it’s a good idea today.

And Oxa says it has a self driving van today that’s ready to deliver on that idea’s promise.

Oxa’s autonomous-capable hardware is designed to fit snugly on the outside of the popular Ford E-Transit commercial van without encroaching on the van’s interior. That means fleets will be able to integrate the self-driving vans into existing fleets without the need to redesign their existing upfit solutions – a critical piece of the overall puzzle for fleet managers.

That also means that the self-driving version of the Oxa-powered Ford E-Transit can be configured to do everything the conventional ICE Transits can do, and serve logistics (delivery van), trades (work van), and passenger/shuttle services (up to 10 seats in passenger E-Transit trim – which we don’t yet get here in the US).

“Making the Ford E-Transit available for autonomous operations is the next step on our journey to deliver safe, scalable, and sustainable autonomous solutions,” explains Gavin Jackson, CEO of Oxa. “This vehicle represents an important milestone in our mission to reshape the future of passenger transportation and logistics.”

The Oxa E-Tranist self driving van is equipped with a full suite of sensing equipment to “take in the road,” including high-definition cameras, lidar, and radar sensors. The Oxa hardware sends a full 360-degrees’ worth of perception and long-range detection to the system’s processors, enabling autonomous operation at electronically-limited speeds of up to 35 mph in mixed traffic. The Transit’s manual controls are fully preserved, too, enabling a seamless transition to human operation in adverse/edge case conditions.

Electrek’s Take

There are a dozen ways an autonomous electric van like this can make life better for students, seniors, and people with limited mobility right now – and, given the ethereal nature (and horrible track record) of that other company when it comes to delivering on its own robotic taxi promises, it seems smart to give the Oxa solution a look.

Check out the video, above, and let us know how you think it compares to last month’s Hollywood launch party in the comments.

SOURCE | IMAGES: Oxa.

Yamaha has announced to its dealers that it will be pulling its e-bikes out of the North American market at the end of this year. In the meantime, the brand says that it will offer sales of up to 60% off for its remaining inventory and continue to support its e-bikes already sold in the US for at least five more years.

Yamaha’s electric bikes have been well-received in global markets and have also received rave reviews in the US. However, the company’s higher prices make it harder to compete in the North American market, which is dominated by value-oriented models with significantly lower price points.

Yamaha’s various electric bikes designed for commuting, fitness, and mountain biking all feature higher-end components, which has resulted in the company competing more directly with premium bicycle shops. The company’s elaborate frames and in-house motors have added value to their models, yet have also contributed to a more premium price range.

Meanwhile, Yamaha hasn’t been immune to the same sales slowdown and overstocking issues that have plagued the e-bike industry over the last few years, as the company explained to its dealers in the letter seen below.

“Dear Yamaha eBike Dealer,

We want to thank you for your partnership and for your business in purchasing and retailing Yamaha eBikes, and for proudly representing the Yamaha brand. However, as you know, the combination of a post-COVID oversupply within the entire bicycle industry, coupled with a significant softening of the market, has resulted in a particularly challenging business environment where it is extremely difficult to achieve a sustainable business model. Given these market conditions, we regret to inform you that Yamaha has made the difficult decision to withdraw from the U.S. eBike business and cease wholesaling units effective the end of this year.

Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. (YMUS) entered the U.S. eBike market in 2018, and we have enjoyed the opportunity to partner with you these past six years to sell exciting, high-quality, all-road, mountain, and fitness/lifestyle eBikes.

We will continue to support your dealership in the sell down of your inventory by extending the current “Fan Promotion” program where customers may receive up to 60% off their purchase of a new Yamaha eBike. This “Fan Promotion” program will be offered on all units retailed and warranty registered through June 30, 2025. YMUS will continue to provide parts, service, and customer support in the United States both now and in support of our limited 5-year warranty.

Finally, we wish to express our sincere appreciation and gratitude to you and your staff for your dedication and support of the Yamaha eBike business.

Thank you for your understanding and support.”

Enbridge, a Canadian energy company, just announced it’s moving forward with an 815-megawatt (MW) solar project called Sequoia in Texas. When it’s done, it’ll be one of the largest solar farms in North America. The project’s price tag is a hefty $1.1 billion.

Enbridge’s Sequoia, around 150 miles west of Dallas, has already landed long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) with AT&T and Toyota, ensuring most of its output is sold for years to come. This deal was highlighted in Enbridge’s third-quarter report on Friday.

Sequoia will be built in two phases, with power expected to start flowing in 2025 and 2026. Enbridge says it’s taken steps to reduce risks by securing equipment and procurement contracts in advance. Permits and purchase orders are also locked down.

Toyota’s PPA with Enbridge’s Texas solar project is part of Toyota’s broader push toward sustainability, as the automaker aims to achieve net zero by 2035 and match 45% of its purchased power with renewable electricity by 2026 as it still clings to its “diverse powertrain strategy.”

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