Ford (NYSE:F) has delayed hundreds of Mustang Mach-E deliveries for last-minute quality checks. 

• Ford began delivering its Mustang Mach-E in Dec. 2020.
• The Mach-E is Ford's first non-retrofitted vehicle ("built from the ground up") to be fully electric.
• A Ford spokesperson confirmed that they are delaying "several hundred" Mach-Es for quality assurance reasons.
• Darren Palmer, Ford's head of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), has been critical of Tesla's quality issues.

Uber (NYSE:UBER) extended its "Uber Green" program to more than 1,400 North American cities.

• Uber Green provides customers the option to hail a hybrid or EV, instead of a standard car.
• Drivers receive an additional $0.50 from the $1 rider surcharge for every trip completed.
• The program will be integrated into Uber's Pass membership service, providing a 10% discount to members choosing the option.
• The program has added new locales, including Houston, Miami, New York City, and Austin.
• The program will help Uber to achieve its plan to become a zero-emission platform by 2040.
• Uber has set aside $800M to encourage its drivers to switch over to EVs by 2025.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reports that EV fires pose safety risks to first responders.

• According to U.S. investigators, guidelines from manufacturers about how to deal with battery fires have been inadequate.
• Fires caused by EVs pose significant safety risks to first responders, according to the NTSB.
• NTSB had launched a major investigation into battery fires after EV fires in Lake Forest and Mountain View, Calif. in 2017; and Fort Lauderdale, Fla. in 2018.
• The NTSB will require automakers to educate firefighters and auto towing associations about EV fire risks, how to deal with the remaining energy in a battery after a crash, and how to safely transport an EV with a damaged battery.
• Additionally, the report also discovered several shortcomings in industry safety standards and industry-sponsored research of high-voltage, lithium-ion battery fires.

General Motors (NYSE:GM) launched a new EV business unit called BrightDrop, targeting delivery companies. GM made the announcement on Tuesday at CES 2021 (a virtual conference this year).

More:

• BrightDrop will begin featuring two products: the EV600 and the EP1.
• The EV600 is an electric van with a 250-mile range. The EP1 is a pod-like electric pallet featuring a built-in electric hub motor.
• BrightDrop has several other products lined up, including a medium distance vehicle for transporting multiple EP1s, and a rapid-load delivery concept vehicle.
• Shipping giant FedEx (NYSE:FDX) completed a pilot program using the EP1, which allowed them to handle up to 25% more packages safely.
• The company is expected to take part in another pilot with BrightDrop, held in a major U.S. urban center, during the first quarter of 2021.

Newly unveiled documents from Gigafactory Shanghai reveal a possible third Tesla EV model for the factory as soon as 2022.

• Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) CEO Elon Musk originally announced that the company would be releasing a new "$25,000" EV in about three years. Musk made that announcement at Battery Day, last year.
• Newly discovered documents regarding Gigafactory Shanghai submitted to China's government reveal that Tesla is planning to add a third model at the factory by 2022.
• The new vehicle is expected to be priced between RMB160,000 ($24,764) and RMB200,000 ($30,909).

Xpeng (NYSE:XPEV) selected California-based Telenav (NASDAQ:TNAV) to provide connected navigation services for its customers in Europe.

• Telenav's navigation solution, dubbed VIVID Nav, combines cloud-connected and onboard navigation services, plus an automated concierge for finding and reserving charging stations.
• Telenav's Charge Station Advisor and VIVID Nav support charging stations across Western Europe.
• On Dec. 3, Telenav announced the termination of a 30-day "go-shop" period regarding a going-private offer. That all-cash deal was priced at $4.80 per share.

QUICK HITS:

• Was 2020 a rough year for you too? Send a Lift Up Note to appreciate someone who helped you get through it.*
• Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) CEO Jeff Bezos has overtaken Elon Musk to regain his title as the world's richest person.
• U.S. hydrogen specialist Plug Power (NASDAQ:PLUG) partnered with French carmaker Renault to provide hydrogen-powered light commercial vehicles. The two companies signed a memorandum of understanding for a 50-50 joint venture in France by the end of June 2021, advised by Banco Santander.
• Green Power Motor announced production of 95 EVs as of Dec. 31, 2020.
• India-based electric two-wheeler manufacturer, Odysse Electric Vehicles, launched a new low-speed scooter, dubbed the E2Go.
• Serbia announced small subsidies for electric and hybrid vehicle purchases this year.
• Solar-power and EV company Sono secured $72.5M in a Series C funding round.
• Cree (NASDAQ:CREE) announced its new Wolfspeed WolfPACK power modules.
• Did you know that shopping apps convert 3x more than responsive websites? Stay ahead of the competition and create yours with GoodBarber!*

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