Recharge Wrap-up: Storm Pulse EV touring motorcycle, Elio COO launches YoYo car subscription service
Wed, Jun 8 2016
Chile is generating so much solar power that it is giving it away for free. Thanks to its well-developed solar infrastructure – which includes 29 solar farms with 15 more in the works – feeding its central grid (as well as problems distributing it to other parts of the country), the surplus means energy prices have dropped to zero in certain locales for well over a hundred days of the year. Chile is now trying to improve its transmission networks, though lack of revenue could slow future investment in solar power. Read more at Green Car Reports.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) is reportedly talking to Uber Technologies about a possible partnership regarding driverless cars. Anonymous sources close to the matter have said that a venture could be announced by the end of 2016. Uber is also in talks with other automakers, according to one source. Having access to Uber's massive fleet of vehicles around the world provides large opportunities for gathering data and improving systems. Sources say Fiat has also been in contact with Amazon about autonomous delivery vehicles. Read more at Automotive News Europe.
Former Elio Motors COO Hari Iyer is launching the YoYo car subscription service as its CEO. YoYo will offer cars on-demand with a concierge service, using a pay-per-mile model. Iyer will maintain a relationship with Elio as a member of its Board of Directors, and as a strategic advisor to CEO Paul Elio. "I am proud of our team's accomplishments [at Elio] and the progress we've made to date and will look on with pride when I see an Elio on the road," says Iyer. He adds, "My work at YoYo is continuing our shared mission to usher in a new era of affordable access to cars." Read more in the press release below.
Former COO of Elio Motors Launches Car Subscription Service YoYo
Iyer to remain on Elio Motors' Board of Directors, and will serve as advisor on key projects
PHOENIX, June 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Elio Motors, Inc. (OTCQX: ELIO), the start-up vehicle manufacturer planning to launch a three-wheeled vehicle that will get up to 84 mpg with a targeted base price of $6,800, today announced that Hari Iyer, Chief Operating Officer, will take the role of CEO with YoYo (http://joinyoyo.com), a pay-per-mile, on-demand car subscription service he helped found.
Iyer will remain on Elio Motors' Board of Directors and will remain a strategic advisor to founder and CEO Paul Elio, for the company's Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing (ATVM) loan program application. His day-to-day role with Elio Motors ended May 31.
"Hari Iyer has been an important part of the vision and execution in the early stages of Elio Motors, and history will show that he helped change transportation in the United States," Elio said. "He has provided leadership and automotive expertise and has put together a team of industry rock stars that will help us complete this quest. We wish Hari and YoYo continued success in the future."
Iyer worked with Paul Elio as a partner and co-founder at ESG Engineering in Phoenix. He was instrumental in the initial Elio vehicle design, and he has helped the company in its strategic operations and engineering.
"The opportunity to help create Elio Motors from the beginning has been a true honor. I am proud of our team's accomplishments and the progress we've made to date and will look on with pride when I see an Elio on the road," Iyer said. "I truly believe that Paul's vision of mobility for the masses will change the world. My work at YoYo is continuing our shared mission to usher in a new era of affordable access to cars."
YoYo's on-demand car subscription model with concierge service is expected to be a much less-expensive and hassle-free alternative to traditional car ownership. Members can order any vehicle from their YoYo app at any time with concierge delivery to their location. Once finished with that vehicle, members can either request a YoYo agent pick it up or swap for another vehicle as their needs change.
According to consulting firm McKinsey, ride sharing and vehicle subscription services could add another $1.5 trillion to the auto industry by 2030. In addition, McKinsey predicts that 1 in 10 vehicles sold in 2030 will potentially be a shared vehicle.
Iyer to remain on Elio Motors' Board of Directors, and will serve as advisor on key projects
PHOENIX, June 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Elio Motors, Inc. (OTCQX: ELIO), the start-up vehicle manufacturer planning to launch a three-wheeled vehicle that will get up to 84 mpg with a targeted base price of $6,800, today announced that Hari Iyer, Chief Operating Officer, will take the role of CEO with YoYo (http://joinyoyo.com), a pay-per-mile, on-demand car subscription service he helped found.
Iyer will remain on Elio Motors' Board of Directors and will remain a strategic advisor to founder and CEO Paul Elio, for the company's Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing (ATVM) loan program application. His day-to-day role with Elio Motors ended May 31.
"Hari Iyer has been an important part of the vision and execution in the early stages of Elio Motors, and history will show that he helped change transportation in the United States," Elio said. "He has provided leadership and automotive expertise and has put together a team of industry rock stars that will help us complete this quest. We wish Hari and YoYo continued success in the future."
Iyer worked with Paul Elio as a partner and co-founder at ESG Engineering in Phoenix. He was instrumental in the initial Elio vehicle design, and he has helped the company in its strategic operations and engineering.
"The opportunity to help create Elio Motors from the beginning has been a true honor. I am proud of our team's accomplishments and the progress we've made to date and will look on with pride when I see an Elio on the road," Iyer said. "I truly believe that Paul's vision of mobility for the masses will change the world. My work at YoYo is continuing our shared mission to usher in a new era of affordable access to cars."
YoYo's on-demand car subscription model with concierge service is expected to be a much less-expensive and hassle-free alternative to traditional car ownership. Members can order any vehicle from their YoYo app at any time with concierge delivery to their location. Once finished with that vehicle, members can either request a YoYo agent pick it up or swap for another vehicle as their needs change.
According to consulting firm McKinsey, ride sharing and vehicle subscription services could add another $1.5 trillion to the auto industry by 2030. In addition, McKinsey predicts that 1 in 10 vehicles sold in 2030 will potentially be a shared vehicle.
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- News Source: Technologic Vehicles, YouTube: STORM Eindhoven, Green Car Reports, Automotive News Europe, Elio Motors
By John Beltz Snyder
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