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In this blog series, we’ll unpack the latest smart mobility news in a little more detail. Each week we’ll focus on fresh topics, covering emerging stories and research that has caught our attention.

Following on from the third and final episode of our partnered podcast series with New Statesman, we’re back on the topic of AVs – specifically, the challenges facing widespread adoption, and how Wejo’s technology enables us to overcome them. We’ll also explore the journey to building a national EV charging network with the help of smart mobility insights.

Ars Technica: Plan to make EV chargers every 50 miles possible

The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program will spend almost $5 billion over the next couple of years to create a national network of and fast-charging stations along federal interstate highways. Conditions for the funding include federal standards for installing, maintaining, and operating DC fast-charging stations. Initially, there will be at least four charging ports every 50 miles on every recognized charging corridor – each with a minimum power level of 150 kW per port, or 600 kW for the station.

Understanding the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

The $5 billion NEVI program is part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) – passed by the Biden-Harris administration in November 2021. Designed to rebuild the nation’s crumbling infrastructure, IIJA funding presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for state and local Departments of Transportation and engineering funds to apply for grants and bid on government projects that will bankroll new roads, bridges, and more. To stay up to date with the details of the IIJA and available funding, watch our webinar series at the link above.

POC Network: Subway to build new locations with EV charging stations   

Fast-food giant Subway has announced plans for an “EV Charging Oasis” – a place for EV drivers to relax while charging their vehicles. Set to be introduced at new or newly renovated Subways, the spots will include charging canopies with multiple ports, picnic tables, WiFi, restrooms, green spaces, and even playgrounds to keep children entertained. The stations won’t be free to use, but customers will have access to exclusive restaurant promotions throughout their visit.

Using connected vehicle data to hit EV charging targets

While there’s an immediate need for EV charging expansion to allow for the transition from internal combustion engines to electric vehicles, building out the infrastructure isn’t going to happen overnight. Fortunately, $7.5 billion of Biden’s IIJA funding has been allocated to developing a national network of reliable EV chargers. State and local governments can apply for funding, but grants are competitive and there’s a lot to consider as a result. For instance, calculating the level of grid demand, strategic charger placement, and future-proofing setups. Wejo’s connected vehicle data can answer all these questions and more. Download our eBook to supercharge your application.

The Conversation: Driverless cars: what we’ve learned from experiments in San Francisco and Phoenix 

San Francisco and Phoenix have permitted driverless robotaxis to transport passengers with the help of cameras, sensors and software that uses artificial intelligence. Tests of fully driverless vehicles have been ongoing in Phoenix since 2017 and in San Francisco since 2020, but San Francisco has experienced several incidents that have proved annoying for a bustling city. One such incident involved a robotaxi with nobody inside being pulled over by police officers; while other vehicles have created obstacles for the city’s fire department.

Gov Tech: Self-driving cars may make Los Angeles traffic worse

Waymo’s self-driving taxi service hit Los Angeles at the end of last year. At present they’re still in test mode, and each vehicle also has a safety driver, pending approval for full commercial operation. But it’s possible that the autonomous vehicles may cause more problems than they solve – while there’s no specific route, the white electric SUVs all seem to be stuck circling one particular block. This issue has prompted worries that the widespread introduction of autonomous vehicles could actually make traffic worse.

Overcoming the challenges facing autonomous vehicle

Autonomous vehicles are on the way, but first, they’ll need to navigate the complexities of the roads and their users. Wejo is helping to power the transformation through our unique autonomous vehicle operating system (AV-OS). Its latest iteration includes an AV prototype that integrates real-time connected vehicle data to support future AV development, testing, and operation. Listen to the most recent episode of our partnered podcast series with New Statesman to hear insights from Wejo Founder and CEO, Richard Barlow.

Want to learn more?

For further insights into the goings-on in the mobility industry, check out our resource center, or speak to our team by filling out the form below.

As always, if you’ve come across a story that you think is worth sharing, or you want to give your input on what we’ve featured this week, send us a message.