But councils say they need long-term funding to do it.
Source: Electric Vehicle News

Ride1Up has just launched an electric commuter bike with an impressive list of specs compared to its price. The San Diego-based company’s new Ride1Up 700 Series e-bike looks like one to keep on your radar.

more…

---

Subscribe to Electrek on YouTube for exclusive videos and subscribe to the podcast.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1zk7Eb8r-s&list=PL_Qf0A10763mA7Byw9ncZqxjke6Gjz0Mt

The post Ride1Up debuts 27 MPH e-bike with higher-end specs well above its low price appeared first on Electrek.

Source: Charge Forward

Tesla has teased some of the first Model 3 made-in-China vehicles in a few images and a Model Y prototype has been rumored to be spotted at Gigafactory 3. more…

---

Subscribe to Electrek on YouTube for exclusive videos and subscribe to the podcast.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1zk7Eb8r-s&list=PL_Qf0A10763mA7Byw9ncZqxjke6Gjz0Mt

The post Tesla teases some of first Model 3 made-in-China, Model Y rumored to be at Gigafactory 3 appeared first on Electrek.

Source: Charge Forward

Robotaxis
Are Going To Be a Challenge for Tesla

Tesla’s plan to launch its own autonomous ride-hailing network appears to be
moving full speed ahead as Elon Musk revealed during the company’s third
quarter earnings call on October 23, 2019, that the company’s “robotaxi”
functionality should be ready by the end of next year. Musk speculated that the
value of Tesla vehicles could increase significantly, given that fully
self-driving cars will be far more valuable to owners who can earn money
deploying them on the Tesla Network.

On the surface Musk’s plan may seem like a
logical way for Tesla to capture additional value and improve its financial
performance. But Tesla isn’t likely to succeed in the ride-hailing market, and
fighting what is sure to be an uphill battle is an expensive proposition. Aside
from the technical challenges that remain to achieve autonomous driving,
engaging in direct competition with the industry heavyweights, Uber and Lyft,
may prove even more daunting.

Here are three reasons why:

1. AV tech will improve the service of Tesla’s soon-to-be competitors—Uber and Lyft

A common mistake among autonomous vehicle (AV)
industry watchers is to assume that AVs are disruptive, and therefore the
advent of AVs presents an opening for autonomous entrants to unseat Uber and
Lyft. While it is true that an autonomous ride-hailing service might
out-compete the ride-hailing giants on price if they do nothing, this scenario
is far-fetched given the powerful incentives these incumbents have to adopt AV
technology.

AVs are in fact a sustaining innovation to Uber and Lyft, meaning that they hold the
potential to improve their existing service and enhance their profitability.
AVs may help them offer safer rides at a lower cost, thereby strengthening
their value proposition to riders. A shift to AVs would also allow the
ride-hailing networks to save on the largest expense they incur—the cost of
human drivers. As operating losses continue to mount amid price wars and the
scramble for growth, Uber and Lyft will strongly gravitate towards innovations
that could improve their profitability.

2. Uber and Lyft’s business model can embrace AV technology

There are plenty of examples of new
technologies that bring about the downfall of incumbents because they are
unable to adopt them. For instance, Western Union failed to adopt voice-based
telephony and lost its leadership position to AT&T. But it isn’t the
radicalness of a technology that can prove fatal to incumbents; rather it’s
their inability to commercialize the technology inside their existing business
models. Western Union was unable to adopt voice-based telephony because the
technology could not be used over long distances at the outset, limiting the
initial market size and thus its financial attractiveness to a big company.
Western Union’s business model
rejected the new technology, not its engineers.

However, in the case of AVs, Uber and Lyft’s business models will welcome them with open arms since adopting AVs won’t fundamentally change the way the firms make money. Assuming that Uber and Lyft choose not to directly own vehicles, the transition to AVs for ride-hailing networks is one of the easier business model changes to make. It is simply swapping out one type of resource—human drivers—for another—autonomous “drivers.” Evidence of their attractiveness  to Uber and Lyft is the hundreds of millions of dollars per year the firms collectively spend on their in-house AV efforts.

3. Uber and Lyft can offer a more comprehensive service than Tesla (or any all-autonomous service)

Uber and Lyft’s network of human drivers will
continue to be important as the transition to autonomy unfolds. Early AV
deployments will likely be restricted to geo-fenced areas, meaning that
all-autonomous services will not be able to take customers outside those areas.
In contrast, the ride-hailing incumbents won’t face such a restriction; they’ll
simply deploy a human driver when routes extend beyond geo-fenced areas. Until
AVs can travel everywhere, this type of hybrid network will be a significant
competitive advantage over a fully autonomous service.

Not Impossible,
But Very Expensive

That’s not to say that Tesla will be unable to
get the Tesla Network off the ground. But the ensuing competition with
entrenched incumbents like Uber and Lyft will be intense and expensive. If
Tesla insists on barreling its way into the ride-hailing market, it will likely
require billions of dollars of red ink. For instance, matching Uber and Lyft’s
liquidity in areas where there aren’t enough customer-owned AVs will call for
supplementing the fleet with Tesla-owned AVs, which will entail a massive
balance sheet commitment. Also, Tesla will have to invest in the same type of
expensive customer acquisition and pricing strategies that have weighed down
Uber and Lyft.

At a time when Tesla is just turning the
corner on profitability, that may be a price too high to pay.

Source: Electric, Hybrid, Clean Diesel & High-MPG Vehicles

At a time when nearly every electric scooter company is pumping out 45 km/h (28 mph) scooters, the Super Soco CPx is going in a different direction. A faster direction. To the tune of 90 km/h (55 mph) fast.

more…

---

Subscribe to Electrek on YouTube for exclusive videos and subscribe to the podcast.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1zk7Eb8r-s&list=PL_Qf0A10763mA7Byw9ncZqxjke6Gjz0Mt

The post Super Soco unveils 55 MPH electric scooter set to destroy other scooters appeared first on Electrek.

Source: Charge Forward

Driving Fun in a Three-Row Crossover SUV

The second-generation 2019 Mazda CX-9 is a
driver-oriented midsize crossover SUV that can also hold seven passengers. This
would seem to be a contradiction in terms, but it is true. One thing you can
count on is a Mazda will handle great and, yes, that even includes a 4,383-pound
family hauler. And the fuel economy is a bonus.

Getting There

Eschewing a V6, the 2019 Mazda CX-9 is
powered by a smooth and responsive turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine,
producing either 227 horsepower (hp) with 87 octane fuel, or 250 hp running on
93 octane. The torque at 310 pounds-feet is the same regardless of the fuel
grade. The CX-9 is recommended to run on 87 octane; so, if you are feeling
extra sporty with a few extra coins in your pocket, go for the high test and
let her rip. Clean Fleet Report’s CX-9 was the all-wheel drive (AWD)
model (front-wheel drive is standard). Regardless, if it is two or four wheels
driving the CX-9, the six-speed automatic transmission, with manual shift and
Sport mode, provided smooth shifting.

The EPA rates the CX-9 AWD at 20 mpg city/26
highway/23 combined. In 531 miles driving throughout Southern California, we
averaged 25.1 mpg. We knew we could do better, and we did. Over a 180-mile, all-freeway
run with the adaptive cruise control set to 65 miles per hour, we averaged 30.1
mpg. Breaking the magic 30 mpg for a seven-passenger crossover SUV is a notable
achievement. If you opt for the front-wheel drive CX-9, the fuel economy is
about two mpg more than the AWD model.

Driving Experience: On the
Road

Out on the road, the CX-9
truly shows its mettle.

The engine is quiet with no
turbo lag, providing plenty of acceleration with zero-to-60 times in just over seven
seconds. The ride was smooth, even on grooved-concrete SoCal freeways. The
handling, with accurate steering, belied this was a large crossover, as the
firm suspension kept the body roll to a minimum when pushed hard around
corners. The Falken ZIEX 255/50 touring all-season tires were mounted on
20-inch alloy wheels; the short sidewall and large wheels enhanced the 2019
Mazda CX-9’s looks. The tires provided good grip when pushed hard on sunny and
dry Southern California roads. The CX-9 isn’t supposed to handle like the MX-5 Miata, but it sure was planted and solid in
anything we threw at it.

The power-assisted vented,
front and rear discs, and the four-wheel ABS with electronic brake distribution
provided sure and confident stops. The braking system includes dynamic
stability control, traction control and the very handy G-Vectoring Control. The
latter happens when cornering, on initial turn-in and throughout a corner. The
system works seamlessly by adjusting power delivery, shifting vehicle weight
front-to-rear and side-to-side. Mazda says G-Vectoring Control “Elevates your
confidence and state of being through a heightened driving experience.” Yup, it
works just as promised.

Driving
Experience: Exterior

Following its “Kodo – Soul Of Motion” design language, Mazda says the CX-9 with its “fluid exterior lines gives an appearance of movement even while standing still,” and it has “aesthetically pleasing emotions that entices the CX-9 to be driven.” That was fun, but how does that translate in an actual design?

Design cues include a long
hood, laid-back windshield, short overhangs front and rear, and a raked window
on the power rear lift gate with an integrated spoiler. The narrow LED head and
taillights allowed the designers to take up as little real estate as possible,
and the grille does not suffer from being overly large. On the Signature trim, the
front grille has LED accent lighting. The color-keyed shark fin antenna and the
dual, bright exhaust tips complete the package. The result is a graceful and
attractive design.

Driving Experience: Interior

At first impression, the up-market interior
on the 2019 Mazda CX-9 Signature has a luxury feel that usually is found in a
more premium crossover SUV. The two-tone auburn and black color scheme, with
aluminum accents and Santos Rosewood trim, was more elegant than was expected.

Up front, the dash has a logical layout is simple and
clean. The three round gauges, with black faces and white letters, were easy-to-read,
with the round automatic HVAC knobs conveniently placed at the bottom of the
center stack. The seats were firm and comfortable, and the tilt and telescopic
steering wheel with cruise and audio controls made a comfortable driver seating
position easy to find.

The 8.0-inch color touch-screen display erupts from the
dashboard, home to the Bose premium audio system. The Bose system delivers deep
bass and crisp treble through 12 speakers for the AM/FM/CD/MP3/AUX HD radio,
SiriusXM (three-month subscription), Aha, Pandora and Stitcher internet radio
integration. The Mazda Connect connectivity system includes
navigation and Bluetooth.

Regarding the audio system interface, we found it
cumbersome to make band and channel changes. It required multiple steps to
control a single function, and the need to use the center console-mounted
selector knob resulted in diverting the driver’s eyes from the road. Maybe in
time it becomes an easy operation that can all be done by touch, but we’ve used
many simpler systems. With the excellence of the Mazda line-up, its engineers
could easily design a more user-friendly interface.

Most people will buy this-size car to
accommodate up to seven people. The 2019 Mazda CX-9 does this, but please
reserve the third row for children or those small of stature. Access to the
third row is tight, and without a Captain’s Chair option for the second row,
being an alumni of Cirque du Soleil might be helpful.

The seats throughout the CX-9 Signature are trimmed in
soft Nappa leather; the fronts and outboard second-row seats are heated. The
driver and passenger seats are ventilated, and have power adjustments with the
driver also getting memory and lumbar. The second-row bench seat spilts 60/40
and reclines, with the third row splitting 50/50. These multiple configurations
provide flexible seating and cargo stowing options.

An appreciated safety feature is the 360º
View Monitor that provides a birds eye view of the CX-9. The
security this adds for the driver cannot be stressed enough.

Convenience comes your way with remote keyless door locks,
power windows with one-touch down, cargo area storage boxes, Homelink
auto-dimming mirror, rain-sensing windshield wipers with de-icers, power and
heated side mirrors, push button ignition, three-zone automatic HVAC and a
power moonroof.

Safety

The 2019 Mazda CX-9 comes with an extensive list of
standard and optional safety features including six airbags, four-wheel power
disc ABS braking system, dynamic stability control, traction control, a tire
pressure monitoring system, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning and
lane keep assist, rear cross traffic alert, rear parking sensors and an
anti-theft alarm and engine immobilizer.

The 2019 CX-9 has been tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA) and received 5 Stars, its highest safety rating. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)
awarded the CX-9 its Top Safety Pick.

Pricing and Warranties

The 2019 Mazda CX-9 comes in four trim
levels, with these base prices, excluding the delivery, processing and handling
fee of $1,045. Clean Fleet Report’s CX-9 Signature had a final
MSRP of $47,385.

Sport  – $32,280

Touring – $35,330

Grand Touring – $40,840

Signature – $45,365

The 2019 CX-9 comes
with these warranties:

•
Powertrain – Five years/60,000 miles

•
New Vehicle – Three years/36,000 miles

•
Roadside Assistance – Three years/36,000 miles

Observations: 2019 Mazda CX-9 Signature AWD

The 2019 Mazda CX-9 Signature, the company’s flagship
seven-passenger midsize crossover SUV, has benefited in recent years from
refinements and improvements. These include a retuned suspension for a smoother
and quieter ride that results in a superb handling vehicle. The cabin has
benefited from sound suppression through a thicker headliner and floor mats.
The complete suite of driver safety systems offer confidence and security.

There are several quality competitors to the CX-9, so it
is important you do some serious cross shopping. However, if you value exterior
style, interior plushness, good power with equally good fuel economy in a seven-passenger
midsize crossover SUV than handles with elan and esprit, then the CX-9 just may
be for you.

Whatever
you buy, Happy Driving!

Make sure to opt-in to the Clean Fleet Report newsletter (top right of
page) to be notified of all new stories and vehicle reviews.

Related
Stories You Might Enjoy—Seven-Passenger Alternatives

Road
Test: 2019
Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

Flash
Drive: 2020
Ford Explorer Hybrid

Road
Test: 2019
Hyundai Santa Fe

Comparison
Test: 2018
Volkswagen Atlas V6 vs. 2.0T

Road
Test: 2018
Toyota Highlander Hybrid

5
Things to Know About the 2018
Toyota Sienna

7
Things to Know About the 2019
Subaru Ascent

Road
Test: 2016
Kia Sorento

Road
Test: 2020
Kia Telluride

Road
Test: 2014
Honda Odyssey

Disclosure:

Clean Fleet Report is loaned free test vehicles
from automakers to evaluate, typically for a week at a time. Our road tests are
based on this one-week drive of a new vehicle. Because of this we don’t address
issues such as long-term reliability or total cost of ownership. In addition,
we are often invited to manufacturer events highlighting new vehicles or
technology. As part of these events we may be offered free transportation,
lodging or meals. We do our best to present our unvarnished evaluations of
vehicles and news irrespective of these inducements.

Our focus is on vehicles that offer the best fuel economy in
their class, which leads us to emphasize electric cars, plug-in hybrids,
hybrids and diesels. We also feature those efficient gas-powered vehicles that
are among the top mpg vehicles in their class. In addition, we aim to offer
reviews and news on advanced technology and the alternative fuel vehicle
market. We welcome any feedback from vehicle owners and are dedicated to
providing a forum for alternative viewpoints. Please let us know your views at publisher@cleanfleetreport.com.

Source: Electric, Hybrid, Clean Diesel & High-MPG Vehicles