| Here is today's transportation briefing: - 🚄 Brightline West requested a waiver for its high-speed rail project. 🛤️
- First sodium-ion battery car is slated to debut on roads in 2024. 🚗🔋
- U.K. transport minister announced it plans a legal framework for autonomous vehicles by late 2025, paving the way for their integration.
Thanks for reading! Robel
p/Robel-Kelkile | |
| 1 | | Some shipping companies, including Hapag-Lloyd and Evergreen Line, have remained cautious about using the Red Sea despite a new U.S.-led security operation due to ongoing attacks by Houthi rebels. Other companies, like Maersk and CMA CGM, have resumed Red Sea transit with increased security measures. More: - Hapag-Lloyd and Evergreen Line are rerouting via Cape of Good Hope due to safety concerns.
- Across the globe, shipping companies have implemented new charges for Red Sea routes due to disruptions.
- Hapag-Lloyd announced an "Emergency Revenue Charge" applicable until month-end, adding $1,000 for a 20-foot container eastbound through the Suez Canal and $1,500 for westbound shipments via the Gulf of Aden.
- The move comes as higher shipping costs could impact consumer goods prices in the future, especially in Europe.
|     | |
| 2 | | The U.K. transport minister announced it anticipates a legal framework for automated vehicles by next year's end. The move suggests a gradual introduction of full self-driving capabilities from around 2026, emphasizing safety and gradual deployment. More: - Legislation in the U.K. parliament is progressing to establish a legal framework for automated vehicles by the end of the following year, aiming to shift liability for accidents from drivers to automakers to enhance consumer protection and safety.
- Currently, self-driving cars are not allowed in the U.K.
- Transport Minister Mark Harper noted he predicts the gradual rollout of full self-driving capabilities, with companies initiating limited deployments in specific areas, promoting a cautious introduction to the technology.
- Tesla's FSD beta, currently operational at Level 2 automation, relies on real-time driving data for continuous improvement, hinting at potential expansions into new markets beyond North America, including recent signs in Europe, China, Australia, and Spain.
- The move comes as across the globe China's testing road for Level 4 automated driving and Tesla's expected launch of FSD beta coincide.
| | | |
| A message from our sponsor, the Inside.com Team. |  | | Happy Holidays Inside Readers, Thank you to everyone who subscribes and reads our newsletters every week - we do our best to keep everything straight to the point. As Alex Medick, our President at Inside says, "We’re focused on cutting out all of that noise - giving you all signal, no noise, with no bullsh*t." Because of this, we have over 300,000+ business professionals like yourself that are founders, execs, and director-level+ decision makers at their respective companies. We've established partnerships with over 100 different companies this year including Google, Salesforce, Impact, Vanta, and Electric AI. If you want to learn more about how Inside can help your company's marketing and growth efforts, fill out this form to connect with our partnerships team. Get Started | |
|
| 3 | | Mexico's government relaunched Mexicana de Aviacion, planning a significant expansion by adding 10 additional aircraft next year. The state airline will be operated under the Defense Ministry. More: - Mexicana de Aviacion was showcased in a video taking off from Felipe Angeles International Airport and heading to Tulum with three operational planes and two on lease, aiming to add 10 more through leasing deals by 2024.
- Talks are underway with Boeing for a potential fleet expansion, although specific aircraft numbers remain undisclosed.
- The airline's resurgence aligns with Lopez Obrador's strategy of involving the armed forces in traditionally civilian-led sectors like airports, railways, and national parks, aiming for a strong state institution overseeing public works for national development.
| | | |
| 4 | | JAC Motors, backed by Volkswagen, announced it will introduce a mass-produced electric vehicle (EV) featuring a sodium-ion battery under its new Yiwei brand. Deliveries are slated for as early as January 2024. More: - The EV would be the first car powered by a sodium-based battery, as opposed to lithium.
- Yiwei, a 2023 debut brand by JAC under Volkswagen's 75% stake, unveiled the EV, leveraging sodium-ion batteries for their cost-effectiveness, abundant resources, and enhanced cold-weather performance.
- The EV, potentially a revamped Sehol E10X, boasts a 252 km range, a 25 kWh capacity, 120 Wh/kg energy density, 3C to 4C charging, and uses HiNa NaCR32140 cells.
- JAC's strategy involves rebranding vehicles to either JAC or Yiwei, discontinuing the Sehol label, leading to the unveiling of the new Yiwei EV.
| | | |
| 5 | | The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) announced it is considering a waiver of Buy America requirements for the Las Vegas-to-Rancho Cucamonga high-speed rail project, primarily for trainsets, signal systems, high-speed rail turnouts, and fire alarm systems, due to the lack of domestic availability. Brightline West was recently granted $3B to build out its high-speed rail project. More: - The waiver would exclude specific components required for the high-speed rail project, aiming to accommodate the use of non-domestic elements like Eurobalises, Euroloops, and specialized turnouts, deemed crucial for the safety and functionality of the system.
- Brightline West, under NVDOT's oversight, plans a fully grade-separated rail system along the I-15 right-of-way, connecting Las Vegas to Rancho Cucamonga, with stations in multiple locations.
- Siemens and Alstom are potential suppliers for trainsets and signaling systems, with plans for overseas production for some components before transitioning to U.S.-based manufacturing.
- The waiver request outlines a commitment to explore future domestic production possibilities for non-available components while ensuring compliance with FRA's safety standards for introducing proven high-speed rail technologies to the U.S. market.
| | | |
| 6 | | California is projected to have a $4.4B decrease in transportation funding within a decade. The move comes amid reduced fuel tax revenues due to the transition to electric vehicles. More: - A new report from the state's Legislative Analyst's Office (LAO) anticipates a substantial transportation funding decline of 31% in the next 10 years, mainly from reduced fuel tax revenues, which could impact highway maintenance funding.
- Notable projected revenue declines include $5B (64%) from gasoline excise taxes, $290M (20%) from diesel excise taxes, and $420M (20%) from diesel sales taxes.
- The LAO noted that a revenue decrease poses a risk of deteriorating highway conditions, necessitating proactive planning for long-term solutions.
- Proposed solutions could include potential increases in fuel taxes and vehicle fees or exploring alternative funding sources, such as road charges based on mileage driven.
- Road charge or mileage fee systems are used in states such as Oregon and Hawaii and are a possible solution as states move toward their green energy goals.
| | | |
| 7 | | QUICK HITS - 2024 is the year your startup gets funded. Make it happen with Foundersuite. Over 50k global startups have raised $15B+ with our investor DB, CRM, data room, and more.*
- A Texas transportation service provider broadened the adoption of Knightscope technologies.
- A new study found that the newly implemented bus lanes in St. Petersburg have had no adverse effects on car commuters.
- The depreciation rate of U.S. cars has reduced.
- Athens, Georgia, secured a federal grant of $240,000 from the U.S. Department of Transportation to revise its transportation plan.
- Frec Direct Indexing delivers the benefits of passive index investing with supercharged tax savings — up to 38% of your portfolio over 5 years in tax deductions.*
*This is a sponsored post. | | | |
| Upcoming Events | | JAN
30 | | Join TruEra for an expert discussion about the impact of the EU AI Act on US and Canadian firms | | | | | | * This is a sponsored event | | | |
 | Writer | | Born and raised in the Bay Area, Robel Kelkile is passionate about all things tech, venture, and financial education. He has previously served both universities and state governments in their engagement strategy and tracking legislation. | | This newsletter was edited by Aaron Crutchfield | |
| |
 | Exploring new ways to get in front of business decision makers? Fill out our form to speak with a member of our partnerships team. | |
|
| |
Comments
Post a Comment