GM, Lyft to Test Driverless Electric Taxis

General Motors Co. and ride-hailing service provider Lyft Inc. plan to begin testing self-driving Chevrolet Bolt electric taxis on public roads within a year, The Wall Street Journal reports.

In January GM invested $500 million in Lyft, declaring the two companies intend to create an on-demand network of autonomous vehicles. The system will incorporate technology GM is acquiring through its purchase of San Francisco startup Cruise Automation Inc.

Lyft executives tell the Journal details are still being worked out but will involve a test with actual customers in an unspecified U.S. city. To begin, the automated cars would have a human driver in place and able to take control if needed.

Lyft also is developing a smartphone app that would give customers the option of being picked up by an automated car. The app would enable riders to tap GM’s OnStar service for help and to dismiss the vehicle when they leave exit the car.

Separately, GM aims to add conventionally controlled Bolt EVs to the Express Drive program it launched in March, according to the Journal. The plan enables Lyft drivers to rent new GM vehicles for $99 per week.