Over 3,000 investors with over $110 trillion in assets under management can’t be wrong …
That $110 trillion supports “responsible investment”, or ESG investing for a more sustainable future.
Some of that $110 trillion dollars is now squarely focused on the electric vehicle (EV) industry.
And Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) is predicted to be the next trillion-dollar company, with stocks soaring more than 300% this year thanks to record demand, record deliveries and even record-breaking revenues and profits.
Investors in EV delivery and utilities darling Workhouse Group (NASDAQ:WKHS) have seen 700% gains.
Chinese EV hot shot Nio (NYSE:NIO) is up nearly 950%.
Plug Power (NASDAQ:PLUG)–an EV tie-in that is producing hydrogen fuel cell systems–has witnessed a gain of over 530% this year alone.
These gains have been remarkable.
But there’s still a way to play the EV boom.
With a savvy startup that’s brought two ESG segments into combination for EVs:
the world’s first carbon-offset ride-sharing company…
An EV subscription service that plans to entirely change the way the world owns or leases cars.
It’s Facedrive (TSXV:FD; OTC:FDVRF) the company that first upstaged giant Uber and Lyft on the ESG investing scene to bring the world a carbon-offset ride-hailing service with an EV option …
And then decided to challenge the entire conventional auto industry by acquiring Washington, DC-based Steer, backed by energy giant Exelon. Steer is a high-tech vehicle subscription service that isn’t planning to simply disrupt the auto industry and change the way we “own” cars …
It’s a seamless, hassle-free technology that is grabbing onto the ESG megatrend by giving subscribers access to their own virtual garage of low-emissions vehicles and EVs.
EV Evolution, Transportation Revolution
There’s a ton of money floating around this space …
EV startups are lining up to go public, and some are getting billion-dollar plus valuations.
Battery developer QuantumScape, backed by Bill Gates, has been valued at $3.3 billion.
Electrified powertrain manufacturer Hyliion (NYSE:HYLN) racked up a $1.1-billion market cap on its first day of trading on October 2nd.
Facedrive’s been making stealth moves with a series of acquisitions that cover 6 different ESG-focused segments since it launched the world’s first carbon-neutral ride-sharing platform.
Steer is where Facedrive comes out of stealth mode and lays claims to the U.S. market, with the backing of one of America’s biggest energy companies, and with big name tie-ins that included e-commerce giant Amazon, Canadian tier-1 telecoms provider Telus, and a lineup of celebrities from Will Smith to NFL Superbowl superstar Russell Wilson.
Car ownership could be near death if the strong trend continues …
It’s not necessary to own a car anymore. By early 2019, four out of 10 Americans agreed that owning a vehicle was not necessary.
By Q3 2020, a global pandemic has massively fast-forwarded the sense of urgency to get clean energy off the ground and conventional cars off the road.
And the market isn’t just supporting it–it’s got $119 trillion dollars behind it this new ESG-focused megatrend.
And that’s exactly the impetus behind Facedrice’s September 8th acquisition of Steer–which plans to put another nail in the coffin of traditional car ownership and leasing.
Steer is a direct response to the need for a revolution in transportation at a time when big money is scrambling for more places to park its ESG-earmarked trillions.
And this transportation revolution is as easy as downloading an app and then choosing your favorite EV from your own virtual car showroom. If you couldn’t afford to ride in a Tesla before, this may be your chance. It’s yet another way for more EVs to go mainstream–even faster.
And with this acquisition, Facedrive brought on another big name after attracting the attention of some of the world’s biggest tech players. The September 8th deal included a $2-million strategic investment in Facedrive-Steer by Chicago-based Exelon’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Exelorate Enterprises, LLC.
An ESG Pipeline of Huge Capacity
While Facedrive (TSXV:FD; OTC:FDVRF) is preparing to disrupt the transportation industry on two different fronts, that’s not the only big move flowing through this ESG pipeline.
This is an entire tech-driven ESG “ecosystem”–the new big capital buzzword.
This fast-track company has 6 ESG divisions, making it a one-stop-shop for many of the hottest sectors in the impact-driven tech space:
FaceDrive and HiRide–Environmentally-friendly ride-sharing and long-distance carpooling
Facedrive Health: Carbon-neutral pharma deliveries and government-endorsed COVID contact-tracing with TraceScan
Facedrive Marketplace, with celebrity co-branded (Think: Will Smith’s Bel Air) exclusive clothing, focused on sustainably sourced materials
Facedrive Foods carbon-neutral food delivery platforms
Social distancing trivia platform, HiQ, with over 2,000,000 app downloads
Steer in the EV subscription space
Tally Technologies, another potentially transformative tech collaboration with major league sports
In August, Facedrive acquired Tally Technologies, the high-tech major league sports predicting startup founded by NFL superstar Russel Wilson
Their plan? To revolutionize major league sports fan engagement.
The NFL, NHL, and NBA know it. It’s their next big opportunty for revenues, which depend on fan engagement that has been culled during a pandemic.
This is where the “gamification” of online major league sports engagement gets real with a free-to-play, predictive platform that gets fans hooked, and keeps them there.
And all of this evolved out of TraceMe, a celebrity content app founded by Wilson with money from the investment vehicles of the Who’s Who of the supermajor tech world:
Massive companies are taking notice on multiple Facedrive fronts.
Earlier this month, Air Canada jumped in on Facedrive’s COVID-19 contact-tracing technology and wearables, TraceSCAN–a technology developed in collaboration with the University of Waterloo that has put Facedrive at the forefront of this specialized space.
This isn’t a simple mobile phone app. Unless you’re a teenager with a hand permanently attached to your phone, that’s not enough. Millions of workers around the world, from construction and medical to education and security, can’t operate with a phone in hand 24/7. Nor can the at-risk elderly.
TraceSCAN Wearables is the solution. Facedrive combines complex algorithms in an AI-enabled mobile application with wearable devices built on the industry-standard nRF52 Bluetooth chipset.
With the tourism industry facing $1 trillion in losses and on track to shed 100 million jobs before the year is out, Air Canada has signed a deal with Facedrive Inc. (TSXV:FD,OTC:FDVRF) to launch a pilot project for its employees using proprietary TraceSCAN technology.
Whether it’s helping to save a devastated tourism industry one airline at a time, or fostering the disruption of the global transportation industry … Facedrive is there, and it’s going for radical efficiency and quantum impact.
It’s generally accepted that some 95% of U.S. car miles will be traveled in self-driving, electric, and shared vehicles by 2030. That’s where all the big money is gathering, and Facedrive right in the middle of it.
Other companies capitalizing on new market trends:
Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT)
Microsoft is one of the most innovative and well-known companies within the tech sector, but its Windows platform is the most widely used operating system on the planet. First launched in 1985, Windows has shaped what is expected from a personal home computer.
But Microsoft is appealing to investors for more just its Windows platform. It is diving head first into an entirely new market. With key partnerships utilizing and implementing blockchain technology, the company’s upside could have huge potential as the tech takes off.
Not only has it always been on the cutting edge of innovation, it’s taking a serious stance on the climate crisis. In fact, it’s pushing so hard that it is aiming to be carbon NEGATIVE by 2030. That’s a huge pledge. And if anyone can do it, it’s Microsoft.
BlackRock (NYSE:BLK)
BlackRock is the world’s most significant global investment manager. It has well over $7.4 trillion in assets under management, and clients in over 100 different countries. It has played a vital role in shifting investors’ perspectives in the ESG field.
Just three years ago, the investment giant underwent a major shift in its strategy. It began focusing on stocks that were more sustainable, better managed, and more conscious. And it’s paid off. With a heavy focus on technology, the company has fueled a new trend in the marketplace. And it’s quickly becoming too big to ignore.
Facebook (NASDAQ:FB)
Tech giants across the board are diving head-first into the sustainability push. Facebook, for its part, has taken an innovative approach in its efforts to reduce its carbon footprint. Its data centers are some of the most resource-efficient on the planet, and it’s become an example for the entire industry. And by the end of the year, it will have 100% of its data centers running on green energy. A massive and ambitious undertaking. But if anyone can do it, it’s Facebook.
Google (NASDAQ:GOOGL)
Not to be outdone, Google is jumping on the green bandwagon, as well. It’s focus is on raising the bar for smarter and more efficient use of the world’s limited resources. It is building sustainable, energy-efficient data centers and workplaces. It is also harnessing artificial intelligence to utilize energy more efficiently.
While Google completely rethinks the game for its own operations, it is also creating a completely sustainable supply chain, working with companies around the globe to help them integrate their own sustainable systems.
TSLA (NASDAQ:TSLA)
There’s a reason Tesla has performed so well this year. Investors love its message. As one of the world’s most innovative car manufacturers, it has made electric vehicles cool again. Its slick design is beloved across the world. In fact, it’s likely impossible to NOT see a Tesla in cities like Hong Kong or San Francisco.
But that’s only a small piece of Musk’s big picture vision. Now that it’s cornered the EV market, Tesla is doubling down up its solar game, as well. Tesla’s Solar Roof project aims to change the way houses function. It replaces normal roofs with stronger solar panels that can power your entire home.
Shopify Inc (TSX:SH)
Shopify is a massive e-commerce company, helping users built their own online stores. It has huge clients – everyone from Tesla to Budweiser are on board. And the company is beloved by millennial investors. In addition to its revolutionary approach on e-commerce, Shopify is also delving into blockchain technology, making it a promising pick for investors in sustainability.
Shaw Communications Inc (TSE:SJR.B)
Shaw’s dominance in Canada’s telecom sector means that if any internet-based services want to operate, they’ll likely be utilizing the company’s infrastructure. After all, without telecoms, these TaaS companies would not be able to operate. In addition to its telecom dominance, it has also branched out into sustainable ventures, holding stake in renewable projects across the country.
BCE Inc. (TSX:BCE)
Like Shaw, BCE is a Canadian telecom giant. Founded in 1980, the company, formally The Bell Telephone Company of Canada is composed of three primary subsidiaries. Bell Wireless, Bell Wireline and Bell Media, however throughout its push into the position of one of Canada’s top telco groups, it has bought and sold a number of different firms. For the past 25 years, BCE has been at the forefront of the environmental movement. Their environmental management system (EMS) has been certified to be ISO 14001-compliant since 2009.
Polaris Infrastructure (TSX:PIF)
We can’t mention sustainability without touching on some of Canada’s most exciting renewable companies. Polaris is a Toronto-based renewable giant with a global influence. The company’s biggest projects are in Latin America. It’s Nicaragua geothermal project, for example, is already producing over 77 MW of renewable electricity. And in Peru, its El Carmen and 8 de Augusto hydropower plants, are set to produce a combined 17MW of electricity in the near future.
Westport Fuel Systems (TSX:WPRT)
Westport is a low-emissions energy provider for the exploding transportation industry. it provides systems for less impactful fuels, such as natural gas. In North America, there are over 225,000 natural gas vehicles. But that shies in comparison to the global 22.5 million natural gas vehicles globally, which means the company still has a ton of room to grow!
By. Sasha Kay