Apple is apparently lowering its expectations for its first car, which has affected its intentions to construct an electric vehicle (EV). According to a rumor, the iPhone maker will now concentrate on releasing an EV with a few connected car capabilities rather than the “driverless” car that was previously anticipated to be developed and released like Tesla’s vehicles. The company’s maiden vehicle launch is reportedly going to be delayed by an additional two years due to unforeseen hurdles.
Is the new Apple EV coming?
Apple’s initiative to construct its own car, with internal names like Titan and T172, began almost ten years ago, according to Bloomberg, which cites people with knowledge of the project. However, the car is unlikely to be released before 2028. According to the article, Apple was under pressure from its board after spending millions of dollars on research and development for both software and hardware without producing a prototype.
According to reports, Apple has also backed down from its initial plans to introduce a self-driving car at Level 5 (Full automation), which is the most advanced level of automated driving that experts have envisioned, to Level 4 (Fully automated driving) and eventually Level 2+ (Partly automated driving). What other automakers, like Tesla, presently offer with their Autopilot technology is Level 2.
This implies that if Apple is successful in releasing an EV by 2028, it would likely have features akin to Tesla’s Autopilot mode, which needs users to remain seated and maintain a constant eye on the road in order to take sudden control of the car.
It’s not certain, though, if Apple will be able to introduce its first electric vehicle in the next four years. The alleged deadline has already been pushed back two years, to 2028, even though the strategy to lessen the vehicle’s autonomy has changed. The SU7 electric car, a competitor from China, was unveiled last month. During the car’s December launch event, Xiaomi Chief Executive Lei Jun stated that the company aims to rank among the top 5 automakers in the world.
