September 25, 2020

　It has been revealed that Mitsubishi Motors will discontinue production of the “i-MiEV,” which it launched in 2009 as the world’s first mass-produced electric vehicle (EV), as early as fiscal year 2020. Although the vehicle has been sold in more than 50 countries worldwide, the company plans to end production without a full model overhaul.

　Toyota Motor Corporation announced that it will jointly develop a fuel cell power vehicle (FC power vehicle) with Denyo, a manufacturer of portable generators, with the aim of bringing the vehicle into practical use through demonstration tests. The demonstration tests will begin in September 2020.

　TheCityofYokohama, Sotetsu Bus, Gunma University, and Japan Mobility have announced that they will conduct Japan’s first demonstration of autonomous driving using driverless large buses with remote monitoring and control during commercial operations. As part of the “I·TOP Yokohama” initiative, which aims to promote the creation of new businesses through IoT and other technologies, the buses will operate on a course of approximately 900 meters near the Yokohama Zoo.

　Eight companies, includingIbaraki Kotsuand Michinori Holdings,along with Hitachi City and Ibaraki Prefecture, will conduct a demonstration experiment using autonomous buses on the Hitachi BRT public bus route starting in October 2020. The experiment, which will utilize sensors installed on the road surface and remote monitoring equipment, aims for full-scale implementation beginning in 2022.

　It has been reported that the startup AZAPA plans to develop a two-seater, ultra-compact fuel cell vehicle (FCV) capable of traveling approximately 100 km on a single charge in fiscal year 2021.

　Overseas, Germany’s Volkswagen (VW) has unveiled the new “ID.4” EV, which it positions as a strategic model for its global expansion. It has a range of 520 km on a full charge, with prices starting at approximately 4.2 million yen. The vehicle utilizes the “MEB” platform—a dedicated EV platform developed by VW—and will be produced not only in Europe but also in the U.S. and China.

　In addition, VW’s commercial vehicle division, the Traton Group, has partnered with TuSimple, a U.S.-based company developing autonomous truck technology. The two companies aim to develop trucks equipped with Level 4 autonomous driving technology and will conduct demonstration tests in Europe.

　In the United States, California has announced that it will become the first state in the country to mandate that all new cars sold within the state be “zero-emission vehicles” by 2035. As part of its efforts to combat global warming, the state will phase out the sale of new gasoline-powered cars.

　Tesla held an event called "Battery Day" to announce its battery technology, stating that it plans to launch an electric vehicle priced at $25,000 (approximately 2.6 million yen) within three years by keeping battery costs down through innovations in battery materials and in-house cell production.

　U.S.-based Nikola, a startup electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer partnered with General Motors (GM), saw its stock price plummet after allegations arose that it had exaggerated its technological capabilities and its founder resigned as chairman.

　Zoox, a U.S.-based autonomous driving technology developeracquired by Amazon.com, has obtained a permit to operate driverless vehicles in California. It is the fourth company to do so, following Waymo and others.

　In China, the Chinese government announced that it will introduce a program to provide incentives to companies developing core technologies for fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) in order to promote the adoption of FCVs, where technological development has lagged behind.