News earlier this month that UK electric van and bus specialist Arrival is working on a ride-hailing vehicle for Uber Technologies pushed up the stock price of the EV start-up briefly, but the company has chosen a tough market to play in for its first car.
Arrival has decided to take the same approach to developing the car, which is due to launch in 2023, as it has with its upcoming full-electric van.
There are similarities between ride-hailing cars and vans, said Arrival’s product chief, Tom Elvidge. “The type of vehicle that makes sense as a ride-hailing car needs to be durable, affordable, very functional, elegant in design, and easy to service and repair.”
Arrival also believes it can take the opportunity to design the car to the specific needs of ride-hailing drivers, using data from Uber to help with the process.
“The dozens if not hundreds of minor improvements that together can make the whole experience completely different not only drivers for their passengers,” Elvidge told Automotive News Europe,
Despite their development tie-up, Uber cannot promise to buy Arrival’s cars. This is different than Arrival’s cooperation with logistics giant UPS, which is an Arrival investor and has ordered 10,000 vans, with an option for another 10,000.