Apple Says Self-Driving EV Still Five Years Out
» Posted February 5, 2021 • Resources | Share This Post
As the future of driving becomes increasingly electric and automated, Apple says it still needs some more time before the tech giant’s new self-driving, battery-powered cars are ready to hit the road.
Apple’s much-anticipated launch of an autonomous electric vehicle remains at least five years out, Automotive News reports. That is because development efforts are still early, reportedly slowed in part by work from home situations prompted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Still, the company is increasingly more ambitious about its self-driving EV project.
“The Cupertino, Calif.,-based technology giant has a small team of hardware engineers developing drive systems, vehicle interior and external car body designs with the goal of eventually shipping a vehicle,” Automotive News’ Mark Gurman reports. “That’s a more ambitious goal than in previous years when the project mostly focused on creating an underlying self-driving system. The company has also added more ex-Tesla Inc. executives to the project.”
Apple is part of a crowded field of companies pursuing self-driving vehicles, which includes General Motors, Tesla, and startup Lucid Motors. Lucid recently made news when it said that its human-operated electric car could get more than 500 miles per charge.
Tim Cook and co. are looking to differentiate themselves from the pack by being able to integrate vehicles with a wide range of existing and upcoming Apple software offerings, Gurman reports.
Legal Rights for California Car Owners
While some of the world’s best-known automakers and newer entries to the market look to revolutionize the driving experience, manufacturers large and small still struggle to put cars on the road that are safe to drive.
Major auto manufacturers recall millions of vehicles per year, citing a wide range of defects and malfunctions that pose serious safety hazards. Meanwhile, self-driving technology like Tesla’s autopilot mode has been cited in fatal accidents.
The good news for car owners in California is that the state’s lemon law offers some vital protections against being saddled with a defective car, even if it has not been recalled. The Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act generally requires a car manufacturer to make certain repairs to vehicles while they are under warranty. It also forces the company to buy a car back that the manufacturer is unwilling or unable to fix.
Talk with a California Lemon Law Attorney
If you are a car owner or lessor who is locked in a dispute with a manufacturer over repairs, an experienced California lemon law attorney can help. A lawyer can help you weigh your options and explore your rights to ensure that the carmaker is held fully accountable.
At Bickel Sannipoli APC, we have represented hundreds of clients in defective vehicle cases in Southern California and across the state. We work aggressively to get the people we represent the justice they deserve.
Our offices are conveniently located in Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco. Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a California lemon law attorney today.
