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Alpha Motor launches, announces line of EVs
Alpha Motor announced its official launch from its Irvine, CA, headquarters. The company’s vision is to transform the automotive industry with an innovative offering of electric mobility, offering a range of pure EVs that address various mobility needs in three categories: Commute, Business, Recreation. The launch was spearheaded by a presentation of pure EVs built on a proprietary modular platform led by the EUV (Electric Utility Vehicle). (See lead image.) “Our purpose-driven mission is straightforward: ‘Accelerate Innovation for Humanity’,” said Alpha Motor Corp. CEO Michael Smith. The company will design, engineer, and manufacture EVs with mobility technologies that support renewability and build a sustainable future that attracts empowered consumers, that yields an efficient and profitable operating cost model, and upholds green responsibility in the process. Alpha aims to deliver EVs beginning as early as 2023, with a significant product unveiling in early 2021. For more info, visit https://www.alphamotorinc.com/.
FCC modernizes 5.9-GHz band ‘for Wi-Fi and auto safety’
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has adopted new rules for the 5.9-GHz band (technically 5.850-5.925 GHz) to make new spectrum available for unlicensed uses, such as Wi-Fi, and improve automotive safety. Specifically, the new band plan designates the lower 45 MHz (5.850-5.895 GHz) for unlicensed uses and the upper 30 MHz (5.895-5.925 GHz) for enhanced automobile safety using cellular vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X) technology. The FCC says that increasing the amount of spectrum available for unlicensed operations is critical for meeting U.S. connectivity needs. It says that Wi-Fi carries more than half of the Internet’s traffic, and during the COVID-19 pandemic Wi-Fi connectivity has grown in importance for connecting to videoconferencing, telehealth, and other critical applications and services. Offloading mobile data traffic to Wi-Fi has also helped keep America’s cellular networks from being overwhelmed and will continue to do so in the future. By one estimate, the economic value created by Wi-Fi in the United States is projected to double by 2023—reaching nearly $1 trillion. The new rules also will improve automotive safety by reserving the upper 30 MHz of the band for Intelligent Transportation System services and designating C-V2X as the technology standard for safety-related transportation and vehicular communications. For more info from the FCC, visit https://bit.ly/38Vn1PN.
UK government to end ICE car sales by 2030
The UK Prime Minister, Transport Secretary, and Business Secretary announced the end of the sale of new petrol (gasoline) and diesel cars in the UK by 2030. The UK Government says it is another historic step on the road to ending its contribution to climate change, while boosting jobs in the process. It will put the UK on course to be the fastest G7 country to decarbonize cars and vans. Following consultations with stakeholders, a two-phased approach to the process was announced. Step 1 will see the phase-out date for the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans brought forward to 2030. Step 2 will see all new cars and vans be fully zero emission at the tailpipe from 2035. Between 2030 and 2035, new cars and vans can be sold if they have the capability to drive a significant distance with zero emissions (for example, plug-in hybrids); this will be defined through further consultations. The move is backed by over £1.8 billion to support greater uptake of zero emission vehicles, with new measures including more charge points and innovation for new clean technologies. For more on the story, visit https://bit.ly/2IPYiBz.
Startup commercial EV maker Arrival to list on NASDAQ
Arrival has entered into an agreement to merge with CIIG Merger Corp., with the newly combined company to be listed on the NASDAQ under ticker symbol ARVL. The transaction values the combined company at $5.4 billion and is expected to provide about $660 million in gross cash proceeds to the company. Arrival says it is producing EVs competitive in price with fossil fuel alternatives and substantially lower than comparable EVs. The company has developed new methods of designing and producing zero-emission vehicles using its proprietary hardware, software, and robotics technologies–and low cost microfactories. Some of the high-profile companies investing in Arrival have been Hyundai, Kia, Winter Capital, United Parcel Service (UPS), and funds and accounts managed by BlackRock. Hyundai and Kia are also exploring opportunities to codevelop zero-emission vehicles with the company. In early 2020, UPS announced a commitment to purchase 10,000 electric vans, and has the additional option to order more. Arrival has signed contracts valued at up to $1.2 billion, and its first products are planned for production in Q4 2021.
GM aims to transform auto insurance industry with OnStar
General Motors’ OnStar brand, which has offered telematics services for more than 20 years, is now planning to offer insurance and services. The new insurance agency, OnStar Insurance Services, will be the exclusive agent for OnStar Insurance, leveraging vehicle data to offer a secure, fair, personalized, and easy-to-use digital insurance experience for drivers. According to Andrew Rose, President of OnStar Insurance Services, GM customers who have subscribed to OnStar and connected services will be eligible to receive insurance discounts and fully integrated services. Starting with Arizona residents, OnStar Insurance Services will initially offer OnStar Insurance to GM employees in Q4 2020, expanding to additional customers, including the general public, in early 2021. To learn more, visit http://www.OnStarInsurance.com.
