Rideshare network Lyft has enlisted the help of self-driving and ADAS technology provider Mobileye to establish the widespread commercialization of autonomous vehicles to large fleet operators.
Lyft ($LYFT) remains a household name in rideshare services alongside that other company that starts with a “U.” Both competitors appear to be embracing electrification, but Lyft especially has vowed to go 100% electric by 2030.
To do so, the company has established several partnerships to incentivize and empower its network of drivers to adopt a BEV for their work. Alternatively, Lyft has solidified alliances with several other tech companies and OEMs to implement autonomous vehicles, including Hyundai.
Speaking of autonomous vehicles, Mobileye ($MBLY) is an ADAS specialist based in Israel with 25 years of experience in the segment. The company was wholly acquired by Intel in 2017 before beginning to develop autonomous robotaxis with Volkswagen Group.
Since then, automakers like Porsche have turned to Mobileye for its advanced driving technology. More recently, Polestar partnered with the tech company to help enable hands-free, eyes-off (Level 3 autonomous driving) in its upcoming 4 SUV.
Today, Mobileye announced a new alliance with Lyft to combine its autonomous driving technology with the latter’s fleet operators that contribute to its network of 40 million annual riders.
Lyft and Mobileye to deploy autonomous rideshare fleets
Mobileye shared details of its collaboration with Lyft today. In this collaboration, Mobileye intends to provide its proprietary autonomous vehicle (AV) technology to an ecosystem of purpose-built vehicle manufacturers, which will then become available for purchase by vehicle fleet operators and transportation service providers.
These “Mobileye Drive-based” autonomous fleets will help Lyft achieve its goal of bringing more robotaxi rides to cities in North America. They will also support operators who want to deploy and manage large-scale fleets in those metropolitan areas. As a result, those fleet operators will gain the opportunity to purchase Mobileye Drive-equipped, “Lyft-ready” vehicles from various OEMs building AV-ready EVs, like the Hyundai IONIQ 5, for example. Per Lyft CEO David Risher:
Mobileye’s full-stack technology is an important part of getting autonomous fleets Lyft-ready. As we make more AVs available to our 40 million annual riders, we’re laser-focused on building a platform where fleet owners will be proud to put their assets to work. We welcome Mobileye as an important strategic partner on the road to an autonomous future.
In addition to Mobileye Drive-equipped vehicles, Lyft intends to utilize the ADAS specialist’s new cloud-based AV demand technology, connecting those vehicles with AV fleet operators.
Through Mobileye’s turnkey autonomous vehicle ecosystem and Lyft’s current suite of AV Partner APIs, participating fleets are expected to be monetized while offering riders using the app a faster and broader availability of travel options. Mobileye president and CEO Prof. Amnon Shashua also spoke:
Cooperating with leading mobility providers and operators are essential steps to bring autonomous mobility services to reality. Enabling Mobileye Drive with Lyft’s network of 40 million annual riders in North America would allow our AV customers to reach new markets and geographies with autonomous services and provide the benefits of the technology through a sustainable business.
There are yet to be timelines on when or where we will see these Mobileye-equipped autonomous vehicles deployed by Lyft and its fleet operators, nor do we know what makes or models will see the technology first. This will be a story we will keep a (mobile) eye on and report back as we learn more,
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Leading yard operation 3PL YMX Logistics has announced plans to deploy fully twenty (20) of Orange EV’s fully electric Class 8 terminal trucks at a number of distribution and manufacturing sites across North America.
As the shipping and logistics industries increasingly move to embrace electrification, yard operations have proven to be an almost ideal use case for EVs, enabling companies like Orange EV, which specialize in yard hostlers or terminal tractors, to drive real, impactful change. To that end, companies like YMX are partnering with Orange EV.
“This relationship between YMX and Orange EV is a significant step forward in transforming yard operations across North America,” said Matt Yearling, CEO of YMX Logistics. “Besides the initial benefits of reduction in emissions and carbon footprint, our customers are also seeing improvements in the overall operational efficiency and seeking to expand. Our team members have also been sharing positive feedback about their new equipment and highlighting the positive impact on their health and day-to-day activities.”
This Orange looks good in blue
One of the most interesting aspects of this story – beyond the Orange EV HUSK-e XP’s almost unbelievable 180,000 lb. GCWR spec. – is that this isn’t a story about California’s ports, which mandate EVs. Instead, YMX is truly deploying these trucks throughout the country, with at least four currently in Chicago (and more on the way).
“Our collaboration with YMX Logistics represents a powerful stride in delivering sustainable yard solutions at scale for enterprise customers,” explains Wayne Mathisen, CEO of Orange EV. “With rising demand for electric yard trucks, our joint efforts ensure that more companies can access the environmental, financial, and operational benefits of electrification … this is a win for the planet, the workforce, and the bottom line of these organizations.”
We interviewed Orange EV founder Kurt Neutgens on The Heavy Equipment Podcast a few months back, but if you’re not familiar with these purpose-built trucks, it’s worth a listen.
On today’s thrilling episode of Quick Charge, we’ve got the all-new Hyundai IONIQ 9 and its “a “rolling living room” pivoting captain’s chairs, Kia gets a go-fast 7 passenger SUV and an updated EV6, while Honda announces plans to start producing solid-state batteries at its new facility in just a few weeks.
We’ve also got big news for American workers – a Minnesota power company is ditching coal for solar while ExxonMobil and LG Chem get to work extracting thousands of tons of lithium out of Tennessee’s soil.
Today’s episode is sponsored by BLUETTI, a leading provider of portable power stations, solar generators, and energy storage systems. For a limited time, save up to 52% during BLUETTI’s exclusive Black Friday sale, now through November 28, and be sure to use promo code BLUETTI5OFF for 5% off all power stations sitewide. Learn more by clicking here.
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Arevon Energy has kicked off operations at Vikings Solar-plus-Storage – one of the US’s first utility-scale solar peaker plants.
The $529 million project in Imperial County, California, near Holtville, features 157 megawatts of solar power paired with 150 megawatts/600 megawatt hours of battery storage.
Vikings Solar-plus-Storage is designed to take cheap daytime solar power and store it for use during more expensive peak demand times, like late afternoons and evenings. The battery storage system can quickly respond to changes in demand, helping tackle critical grid needs.
Vikings leverages provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act that support affordable clean energy, strengthen grid resilience, boost US manufacturing, and create good jobs.
The Vikings project has already brought significant benefits to the local area. It employed over 170 people during construction, many local workers, and boosted nearby businesses like restaurants, hotels, and stores. On top of that, Vikings will pay out more than $17 million to local governments over its lifespan.
“Vikings’ advanced design sets the standard for safe and reliable solar-plus-storage configurations,” said Arevon CEO Kevin Smith. “The project incorporates solar panels, trackers, and batteries that showcase the growing strength of US renewable energy manufacturing.”
The project includes Tesla Megapack battery systems made in California, First Solar’s thin-film solar panels, and smart solar trackers from Nextracker. San Diego-based SOLV Energy handled the engineering, procurement, and construction work.
San Diego Community Power (SDCP) will buy the energy from the Vikings project under a long-term deal, helping power nearly 1 million customer accounts. SDCP and Arevon have also signed an agreement for the 200 MW Avocet Energy Storage Project in Carson, California, which will start construction in early 2025.
Vikings is named after the Holtville High School mascot, and Arevon is giving back to the local community by funding scholarships for deserving Holtville High students.
Arevon is a major renewable energy developer across the US and a key player in California, with nearly 2,500 MW in operation and more than 1,250 MW under construction.
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