It’s ugly but it will get itself there…
The first self-driving prototypes based on the future Volkswagen ID. BUZZ will begin operations in Munich this summer. It marks a milestone in the Group’s international collaboration, part of which sees Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (VWCV) facilitating the development of Level 4-capable autonomous driving technology* for self-driving vans. ID. BUZZ, a VW Microbus-like EV, will arrive at dealerships after a compact four-door ID. model in 2022. Volkswagen is mainly targeting markets in North America, Europe and China with both the ID. BUZZ and the ID. family overall.
Current conventional automaker wisdom (wishdom?) has is that light commercial vehicles are the first, logical place for using autonomous transportation of people and goods. “Our aim with the self-driving version of the ID. BUZZ is to ease commercial deployment of transport and delivery services starting in 2025,” said divisional director Christian Senger during a digital press conference. VW Mobility service provider MOIA will first launch autonomous service in Hamburg, Germany. Continue reading
Equivalent Gas Tax or Fee on EVs to Offset Lost Revenue?
CBO said that if Congress were to levy an annual fee on EVs in an amount that is approximately proportionate with the amount paid in gasoline tax? Taking as a starting point an average driver of a light duty passenger vehicle with a gasoline engine, how much revenue could be raised during the next five years? Moreover, what percent of the anticipated shortfall in the Highway Trust Fund would that be? Continue reading →