In Europe and in the US, hail a car need to go completely electric as soon as possible. Otherwise, it adds to the problems of local pollution and global warming.
However, the needs of ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft are quite different from the needs of normal personal use. They are basically the new generation of taxis. And it looks like UK-based Arrival last week realized exactly that — with an early driving prototype focused on what really best serves that need.
Arrival says the car, which looks like a tall convertible hatchback, has “exceptional visibility and comfort,” with twice as much legroom as other models, about the same as the VW Golf. The company says the priorities for the vehicle are uptime, driver comfort, safety and convenience. The enhanced driving position and forward-cabin layout help with urban visibility, while rear-seat space and a sense of separation are top priorities. Ample legroom allows for bag space near the legs in the cabin, and the front passenger seat can be flipped forward if needed.
Prototype car arrives
No powertrain or charging specs have been revealed for the EV, which it claims was developed in conjunction with real Uber drivers. The incoming vehicle will enter the design and testing phase as it moves into the production version.
The project has announced earlier this yearwith confirmation that Arrival and Uber will “explore strategic relationships in key markets”, including the US, UK and the European Union.
Arrival notes that the vehicle meets global demand and estimates that there are around 30 million drivers in the ride-hailing industry worldwide. The United States was not mentioned as a potential market for this vehicle at the time, and Green car report reached out to Arrival to see if the model’s range has changed since then.
So far, Arrival’s focus on the US market is larger commercial vehicles, and it plans to deliver an electric truck by the end of 2022, when it also plans to start producing electric buses. domestic at a South Carolina “micro.”
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The reveal of the Uber-focused electric vehicle keeps on schedule with an announcement in May in which the company said the vehicle would be revealed by the end of 2021, with the goal of starting production in the first quarter of 2020. 3 year 2023.
What’s missing from these announcements is the financial model. Uber currently bases its business model around drivers providing their own cars. While Uber does not have a commitment to buy a car from Arrival, it can be assumed that there will be some degree of incentive.
Prototype car arrives
Focusing back on the US, California is planning entrust electric cars to hitchhike by 2030, and they plan to do so with a regulatory and credit system unlike the ZEV mandate that requires electric vehicles — potentially leading to subsidies from ride-service companies to lower prices. electric car rental.
In fact, the EV mandate for ride-hailing doesn’t go far beyond state government plans to shift all new light vehicle sales to electricity in 2035. But it is more urgent to stamp out urban emissions and help offset “dead miles” when only drivers are on board.
Does Car Arrival meet the needs of an Uber or Lyft ride better than a regular Corolla or Camry? Check out the video and let us know in your comments section below.
