What We’re Reading

July 20, 2022

• Hyundai officially launches IONIQ 6 electric vehicle (EV) (Electric Drives, July 14, 2022)

  Hyundai has officially launched the IONIQ 6 sedan, its second EV following the IONIQ 5 crossover. Anticipated features include:

  • An estimated range per charge of over 380 miles.

  • Superior energy-efficency.

  • Next level ADAS courtesy of Hyundai’s SmartSense.

    • Smart Cruise Control (SCC) “learns the driver’s driving style” when inactive and then applies that learning when it is active to mimic the driver’s style

    • Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) helps avoid collisions with objects such as slowing vehicles, cyclists, or oncoming vehicles turning at intersections by first providing a warning and then applying emergency braking.

    • The “Junction Crossing, Lane-Changing Oncoming and Lane-Changing Side along with Evasive Steering Assist” features automatically assist with “avoidance steering” to avoid collisions at intersections or with traffic in adjacent lanes.

  According to Car and Driver, actual U.S. market specifications for the IONIQ 6 are expected in November, with U.S. sales to begin in early 2023.  By the (very sleek) looks of it, we expect this new EV to give other market players some steep competition.

• GM unveils Chevy Blazer EV to challenge Tesla Model Y (TechCrunch, July 18, 2022)

  GM also upped the EV ante with its reveal of the new Chevy Blazer EV, which will launch in 2023 with model year 2024. GM hopes the electrified Blazer will “supercharge” its goal of surpassing Tesla in domestic EV sales by 2025 and “kick-start” other sales, including of new EVs under the Cadillac and Chevy brands.

  The Blazer EV will be offered with five trim options including one customized for police forces. Pricing starts at $44,995 (estimated range of 247 miles) and goes up to $65,995 (estimated range of 290 miles).

  “There’s no start button on the Blazer; all you have to do is push the brake pedal after closing the door, and the Blazer EV will wake. Chevy also says that through the MyChevy app, owners can plot and locate charging stations along a set route. The Blazer EV will also get GM’s Ulitifi technology, which will allow for over-the-air updates and further customization for apps and services that customers want.” Some trims will include Super Cruise, GM’s hands-free driver assist system.

  Recognizing that access to public charging stations will continue to be a challenge to the growth of the EV market, GM will install chargers at its dealers and also “announced a partnership with Pilot, and Flying J, to collaborate on a nationwide fast-charging network.” Read more here.

• Sony making sensors for autonomous vehicles (The Robot Report, July 19, 2022)

  While some EV manufacturers are increasing battery capacity to support their vehicles, “Sony Group is developing a sensor for self-driving vehicles that uses 70% less electricity” by employing “AI-equipped sensors and software on the vehicle itself, instead of transmitting that information to an external network.” Sony believes this development will also increase safety by reducing communication lags between the vehicle and a server.

  “Autonomous vehicles use large amounts of power because of all of the added technology on board, which can result in at least a 35% smaller range for electric vehicles (EVs), according to Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. If Sony reaches its goals, it could limit this impact to just around 10%.”

  Sony plans to provide the sensors for this project, while the software will be contributed by Sompo-backed Tier IV.