Electric networked vehicle field tested in Tianjin

A two-seat, emission-free, GPS-based navigable electric networked vehicle had its first field test and demonstration in North China's port city Tianjin recently.

Produced by General Motors, the vehicle is a second-generation concept EN-V that can be driven normally or operated autonomously. The trial, which will last two weeks from June 19, is taking place in the Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-city.

Designed for urban environments, EN-Vs combine sensing technology, wireless communication and GPS-based navigation — all designed to alleviate traffic congestion and help avoid traffic jams through autonomous operation, without a driver.

Power for the motors is provided by lithium-ion batteries and the vehicles can travel at least 40 kilometers on a single charge, while dynamic stabilization technology gives the EN-V the ability to carry two passengers and light cargo.

According to Liu Yang, an insider at the Tianjin Eco-city, the operation of EN-Vs will lead the way to advanced transportation systems and help achieve the goal of building an environmentally friendly space in the Tianjin Eco-city.

"We are working to continue the field testing program over the coming two years, with a total 20 EN-Vs," Liu said.

Designs for the first EN-V　were unveiled at the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai, while the second-generation plans were revealed at the Beijing Motor Show in 2012.