General Motors (GM) stood out among the mobility sectors at the ‘2021 Consumer Electronics Show (CES)’ held online on the 11th. While Volkswagen, Toyota, and Hyundai Motors were absent due to a novel coronavirus infection (Corona 19), GM showed off four new electric cars through a keynote speech. Chevrolet Volt EUV, GMC Hummer, Cadillac Lyric and Celestic were all evaluated as having the quality to stand against Tesla. In addition, with the new electric truck, the last mile (delivery to the final destination) device, an electric cart (pallet), will be shown in video, and it will expand mobility through logistics and delivery.
FedEx’s electric freight vehicle using GM’s delivery platform’Brightdrop’. Photo GM Korea
The logistics and delivery platform, named BrightDrop, is reminiscent of an aircraft carrier that carries bombers to a suitable location and conducts operations. The EV600 electric truck with a single charge driving distance of 400 km unfolds an electric pallet EP1 carrying up to 90 kg near the destination. Moving at a speed of 4.8 km/h, EP1 delivers goods to its final destination, collects cargo, and returns to the truck. The EV600 has a loading capacity of about 17㎥, which is half that of a 20ft container.
Brightdrop, a new transport service from GM that combines autonomous pallets and electric trucks. Photo GM Korea
GM logistics and delivery platform Brightdrop’s EP1 electric pallet. Photo GM Korea
Earlier, startups Libian and Ford, which had partnered with Amazon, announced that they would launch electric vans, but GM is evaluated as leading in that it presented a blueprint for future logistics through a mobility platform. It is also threatening that the partner is FedEx, a global logistics and delivery company. FedEx Express CEO Richard Smith said, “We were able to increase delivery efficiency by 25% as a result of the trial operation of Brightdrop. The EP1 is easy to operate and reduces physical labor.”
The EV600 yen, which is the parent ship, has a motion sensor (motion recognition) function. In addition, the EP1 from the truck is manipulated by a person, but if left as it is, it shows movement by itself. In the future, if GM’s autonomous driving technology is added, it will be a much smarter device. For example, it could be developed into a delivery robot that follows a merchant carrying fish in a fishery market or a farmer picking tomatoes in a green house.
Logistics and delivery mobility is possible because of the Ultium battery jointly with LG Energy Solutions, GM explained. GM energy storage and materials manager Mei Kai explained, “Ultium, which reduces the dependence on cobalt and adds aluminum, is 60% more energy efficient than existing batteries.” GM said it will supply 600 electric trucks and electric pallets to FedEx later this year. After the announcement, GM stock price jumped 15% over the three trading days.
Tesla, Volkswagen, Toyota, Hyundai Motor, GM, etc.
GM’s future mobility strategy is like the last car among global automakers. Volkswagen, Toyota, and Hyundai Motors have already presented such a blueprint along with Tesla, which has secured a leading position in electric vehicles and autonomous driving.
Previously, Toyota introduced its self-driving car e-pallet in 2018. Last year, CES announced the construction of Woven City, a smart city that embodies future mobility and a hydrogen society. Construction of Woven City, which will be built under Mt. Fuji in Suzuoka Prefecture, will begin next month.
Hyundai Motor Company announced its entry into Urban Aviation Mobility (UAM) at CES last year. Since then, it has been making wide strides by establishing or taking over joint ventures with leading global companies in the hydrogen industry as well as autonomous driving, robots and electric vehicle platforms. Volkswagen also opened the door to Tesla in the second half of last year with new electric vehicles such as ID.4.
In addition, Tesla is investing in Solar City (solar power generation) and Starlink (Satellite Internet) and is planning a connection with mobility. On the other hand, Renault, Nissan, Mitsubishi and FCA and PSA alliances are still lagging behind in the field of future mobiles.
The automobile industry and experts believe that the joining of GM has set the stage for the’Top 5 Global Mobility’ in future mobility. Mobility expert Cha Doo-won, head of the Mobility Research Center Cha Doo-won, said, “GM has declared that it has been late, but through this CES, it has completely turned to electrification.”
Professor Seon Woo Myung-ho of Hanyang University’s Ace Lab (Automotive Electronic Control Lab) said, “It is a tremendous change that GM, which has been ranked No. 1 in the automotive field for more than 60 years, has joined hands with FedEx to declare electrification in the field of shipping and logistics.” The outlook is positive in that there is a lot of stock right now.” In addition, in this year’s electric car competition, he added, “Tesla has played a major role in the past, but this year, a large number of legacy makers will launch new cars, which will be a challenge.”
This is also seen in sales in the European market, an electric vehicle competition. According to EV Volumes, an electric vehicle research firm, the number of electric vehicles (including plug-in hybrids) sold in Europe last month was 9,4683 units (not aggregated in the UK market). The car model that sold the most was the Volkswagen ID.3 (23,448 units), which far outpaced Tesla Model 3 (17,521 units). In November of last year, Renault Joe was first. Hyundai and Kia’s Kona and Niro EVs were also in the top 10 last year. Competition is expected to intensify in the first half of this year with the appearance of low-cost models such as the Fiat 500e.
Where did Hyundai UAM come from?
The single-seater aircraft (left) and autonomous driving concept presented by GM at the 2021 CES. Photo GM keynote capture
At CES, GM unveiled the concept of an electric powered vertical take-off and landing (e-VTOL) aircraft. The ultra-lightweight single-person aircraft that looks like a massage chair can fly at a maximum speed of 90 km/h with a 90kW motor, Ultium battery pack, and 4 pairs of rotors (wings). “This is GM’s first entry into urban aviation,” said Michael Simco, GM’s vice president of global design. “We can get a glimpse of what autonomous driving and Cadillac’s luxury will look like in the near future.” Although the release date was not disclosed, it is impressive that some specifications such as batteries were disclosed.
The S-A1 for urban aviation unveiled by Hyundai Motor Company at last year’s CES. Photo hyundai car
Hyundai Motor Company unveiled a model of the e-VTOL S-A1 in Las Vegas last January. Equipped with eight large rotors, the S-A1 stood out at CES last year. The’flying taxi’ of the American airline Bell, the strongest in this field, was right next to it, but the S-A1, armed with a futuristic concept and design, was not at all daunting. However, although it has been more than a year since the release, the progress of UAM such as S-A1 is not known at all.
However, at the CEO Investor Day held last month, Shin Jae-won, president of Hyundai Motor’s UAM division, said, “We will launch cargo in 2026 ahead of the passenger model in 2028.” ‘2028’ is the timing of UAM commercialization, announced by Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Eui-sun Eui-sun at last year’s CES.
In the field of hydrogen electric vehicles, competition with Toyota is expected. Toyota launched the second-generation Mirai last month, and is expected to bring it to the US market this year. Professor Sunwoo Myung-ho said, “Hyundai Motor has technological leadership. However, the key is when the market opens in earnest.”
The future mobility race is now entering the execution stage, experts say. Go Tae-bong, head of Hi Investment & Securities Research Center, said, “GM drew a good picture this time, but 2021 is not the time to draw a picture for automakers.
Reporter Kim Young-joo [email protected]