Indian cab-hailing giant Ola will launch in the UK to challenge Uber — and they both share a big investor

Indian ride-hailing company Ola plans to launch in the UK, signalling more competition for incumbent Uber. Ola will open operations in Greater Manchester and south Wales, including capital Cardiff, within the next month. The company said it was working with regulators to launch nationwide by the end of the year, but is yet to submit… Continue reading Indian cab-hailing giant Ola will launch in the UK to challenge Uber — and they both share a big investor

French carpooling firm BlaBlaCar acquires Russia’s BeepCar

August 7, 2018 French carpooling platform BlaBlaCar has acquired Russian counterpart BeepCar from internet company Mail.Ru Group, according to an official statement. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. BlaBlaCar and Mail.Ru also announced a new partnership, which will see the French startup committing to further promote carpooling through Mail.Ru Group platforms, which include… Continue reading French carpooling firm BlaBlaCar acquires Russia’s BeepCar

BlaBlaCar acquires carpool rival BeepCar from Russia’s Mail.Ru

Another acquisition for French carpooling platform BlaBlaCar: It’s picked up Russian Internet giant Mail.Ru’s relatively recent rival offering, BeepCar, in what’s being billed as both an acquisition and a partnership. BlaBlaCar says the move is aimed at consolidating its international growth. “Through this acquisition, we are doubling down our commitment to develop carpooling in Russia,… Continue reading BlaBlaCar acquires carpool rival BeepCar from Russia’s Mail.Ru

Drive.ai’s self-driving vehicle service is now live in Texas

The bedroom community of Frisco, Texas might seem like an unusual place to find a self-driving vehicle. But here in this city of nearly 175,000 people, there are seven. And as of Monday, they’re available for the public to use within a specific sector of the city that has a concentration of retail, entertainment venues… Continue reading Drive.ai’s self-driving vehicle service is now live in Texas

China’s Didi pumps $1B into its rebranded driver services business

Didi Chuxing is going pedal to the metal for its automobile services business after it announced it will invest $1 billion into the division, which is also getting a rebrand. The Chinese ride-hailing firm had been tipped to spin out the business and raise $1.5 billion from investors ahead of an IPO, according to a recent Reuters… Continue reading China’s Didi pumps $1B into its rebranded driver services business

Jörg Stratmann in an interview: “We need to be open to technology” – Mahle-Chef does not write down Verbrenner

Jörg Stratmann The new Mahle boss wants to bring the technology for electric cars on the road. (Photo: Verena Müller for Handelsblatt Verena Müller for Handelsblatt) StuttgartMahle boss Jörg Stratmann is unpretentious. When looking out of his office, he looks directly at the Stuttgart Wilhelma. But he cares less about the animals in the zoo… Continue reading Jörg Stratmann in an interview: “We need to be open to technology” – Mahle-Chef does not write down Verbrenner

Car rental startup Zoomcar raises $3.6m debt funding from Trifecta

August 6, 2018 Self-drive car rental start-up Zoomcar India Pvt. Ltd has raised $3.6 million (Rs 25 crore) in debt funding from Trifecta Capital, said a report in Yourstory quoting filings with Registrar of Companies (RoC). The development comes almost six months after the Bengaluru-headquartered startup closed a $40-million Series C funding round led by automobile… Continue reading Car rental startup Zoomcar raises $3.6m debt funding from Trifecta

Bus aggregator ZipGo in talks to raise funding from Essel Group

August 6, 2018 Bus aggregator ZipGo Technologies Pvt. Ltd is in advanced talks to raise $50 million from Essel Group, a person familiar with the matter said. ZipGo wants fresh capital to grow its presence in India from the current 10 cities, the person who didn’t wish to be named told Mint. The Bengaluru-based company… Continue reading Bus aggregator ZipGo in talks to raise funding from Essel Group

UK Will Require EV Chargers At Newly Built Homes, Lampost Chargers Too

Electric car charging points will also be installed in newly built houses. Under the Road to Zero Strategy, which was announced today, the government will invest £400 million in charging infrastructure. This investment includes a £40 million scheme to develop low-cost wireless and on-street charging technology, as well as providing grants of up to £500… Continue reading UK Will Require EV Chargers At Newly Built Homes, Lampost Chargers Too