The Chevrolet EN-V 2.0 vehicle sharing pilot program launched by General Motors and Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) on May 27 received the Best Innovative Practice Award for leading the way in adopting innovative practices and helping Shanghai transform into a global technology innovation center.
The honor is part of the Innovation & Development – Multinational Companies in Shanghai Best Practice Awards campaign, which is jointly sponsored by Shanghai Daily and Eastday.com under the guidance of the Information Office of Shanghai Municipality and the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce.
Forty best innovative practice cases were selected from among 79 cases submitted, with 12 receiving the Best Innovative Practice Award for their contribution to innovation in Shanghai in four categories: Innovative Business Strategies, Contribution to Local Community, Talent Development and Cooperation with Local Partners. The Chevrolet EN-V 2.0 vehicle sharing pilot program received the Best Innovative Practice Award in the Innovative Business Strategies category.
“GM is the first automaker to engage an electric concept vehicle in a real-world testing program in China,” said GM Executive Vice President and GM China President Matt Tsien. “The EN-V 2.0 vehicle sharing pilot program represents an important step toward transforming GM’s vision for sustainable urban mobility into reality.”
The two-year vehicle sharing pilot program is utilizing 16 Chevrolet EN-V 2.0 electric concept vehicles that were designed, engineered and built in Shanghai. The vehicles are the second generation of GM’s EN-V (Electric Networked-Vehicle) concept, which was a centerpiece of the SAIC-GM Pavilion at Expo 2010 in Shanghai.
The EN-V 2.0 fleet being used at SJTU combines electric drive with easy-swipe card access for entry, fees and starting; cameras for a rear view; and GPS, OnStar and tablet-based smartphone technologies for mobility. The vehicles have been integrated into the multi-modal transportation system at SJTU’s Minhang Campus alongside shuttle buses, bicycles and cars.
Eligible drivers selected from among qualified faculty members and graduate students at SJTU prepay a set membership fee to offset the cost of using the EN-V 2.0s. This is supporting a simple and seamless locating, renting and driving experience.
The partnership with SJTU will provide valuable input for the development of the next generation of urban mobility vehicles. GM envisions a future for driving that promises to be free from petroleum, free from emissions, free from accidents and free from congestion.
