Amazon Rolls Out Eco-Friendly E-Cargo Bikes in Berlin to Deliver 1.5 Million Parcels Annually | August 1st, 2024

Audi's new electric A6 and S6, Ford's upgraded Mach-E GT, and the restored 1984 Honda HP-X showcase advanced automotive innovations.

Issue [#250] - Every week, we deliver analysis and curation of emerging mobility news - post a job listing here!

Micromobility

In the 1900 Olympics in Paris, motorcycles were involved, but not as official events. The games were chaotic, with historians still debating which events were truly Olympic. Despite the confusion, motorcycles raced in exhibition events. The 1900 Olympics were marked by disorganization and surprising events like motorboating and live pigeon shooting. It was also notable for being the first time women competed in the Olympics | RideApart

Amazon has launched a micromobility hub in Berlin, aiming to deliver over 1.5 million parcels annually. This initiative, part of a €400 million investment, uses e-cargo bikes to reduce traditional delivery vans, easing traffic and improving air quality. The bikes, made by Mubea, can carry up to 200kg and have a range of 50km. This hub joins over 50 similar facilities across Europe, highlighting Amazon's commitment to sustainable delivery solutions | ZAGDaily

As bike and scooter usage increases, so do safety concerns. Emergency doctor Avir Mitra notes a rise in injuries from micromobility accidents, sometimes more frequent than car crashes. Despite improved infrastructure, over 1,100 cyclists died in 2022. Experts stress the importance of helmet use, as even mild head injuries can have severe long-term effects. Educating riders, especially teens and seniors, on safety measures is crucial to prevent serious injuries | Route-Fifty

Lime has introduced two new vehicle designs: the LimeGlider and the LimeBike. The LimeGlider offers a seated, pedal-free ride for comfort and ease, while the LimeBike features an adjustable seat and throttle for assisted pedaling. Both vehicles aim to attract more riders and offer versatile options. They will be piloted in Seattle, Atlanta, and Zurich, featuring smaller wheels, ergonomic grips, and improved technology for better ride experience and location recognition | ZAGDaily

Rad Power Bikes, a Seattle-based e-bike company, recently faced its fifth round of layoffs since April 2021, as it navigates industry challenges. The cuts, affecting mainly product development teams, follow previous downsizing and a European market exit. Despite these setbacks, Rad remains committed to providing customer support and maintaining its vision for sustainable transportation. The company's challenges mirror broader difficulties in the e-bike sector, where rapid scaling pressures have proven tough to manage | TechCrunch

Product Launches & Updates

Husqvarna is reintroducing the Vitpilen Cafe Racer with a more powerful 801 engine. This update brings a larger displacement engine to the lineup, following the recent success of the Svartpilen 801. Known for its intuitive design and seamless riding experience, the new Vitpilen promises enhanced performance and excitement for riders. The upcoming model will offer an exciting opportunity for those who missed out on the original 701 | RideApart

Audi is launching new electric versions of the A6 and S6, including Sportback and Avant styles. The A6 E-tron offers a range of up to 435 miles and features slim adaptive matrix LEDs, digital OLED rear lights, and a stylish front grille. The high-performance S6 can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds with 543 horsepower. Built on the 800-volt PPE platform, it supports fast charging and will debut in Europe in September | The Verge

Ford has introduced a new performance upgrade for the 2024 Mustang Mach-E GT, enhancing its 0 to 60 mph acceleration to 3.3 seconds, faster than Tesla's Model Y Performance and Porsche's Macan 4 EV. The upgrade, offering 480 hp and 700 lb-ft of torque, can be purchased upon buying the vehicle or via the FordPass App. The Mach-E GT starts at $54,995, while the Rally trim begins at $58,995 | Electrek

The 1984 Honda HP-X concept car, recently restored, showcased futuristic technologies like sonar, GPS, and an electronic driver support system. Featuring a doorless design with a removable canopy, the car was powered by a 2.0-liter V6 engine and built using lightweight materials like carbon fiber and Kevlar. The HP-X's innovations influenced later models like the Honda NSX. It will be displayed at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance | The Verge

Ridehailing, Carsharing, & Delivery 

The USDOT has granted $5.6 million to NYC's Department of Transportation to develop a lab for last-mile delivery research, focusing on cargo e-bikes. This Urban Freight Mobility Collaborative aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions from freight by 40% by 2032. The project will explore solutions like micro-hubs for efficient deliveries and reduce traffic issues caused by parked delivery trucks. These innovations are expected to save NYC over $240 million annually | Electric Bike Report

A federal judge in Philadelphia has dismissed a lawsuit against Uber that claimed the company misclassified drivers as independent contractors instead of employees. After two deadlocked trials, the judge ruled that a third trial would be pointless and wasteful. Uber welcomed the decision, while the plaintiffs plan to appeal. This case highlights ongoing debates over gig worker classification and its implications for labor rights and company costs | Reuters

INSHUR's "Driving the On-Demand Economy in the US" report highlights key trends shaping the gig workforce. Since 2022, nearly 73% of drivers, including a notable 49% of women, have expanded their working hours. As the sector is poised to reach $335 billion by 2025, the flexibility offered by on-demand work is increasingly appealing, particularly to Millennials and Gen Z | INSHUR

A new measure, the Community Transit Act, will be on San Francisco's November ballot. If approved, it would impose a 4.5% tax on ride-hail companies like Uber and Lyft, potentially raising $30 million annually for Muni. This funding aims to prevent service cuts and support fare discount programs. The measure reflects a community effort to ensure stable public transit funding amid shifting financial support | StreetBlogs San Francisco

Uber is partnering with BYD to introduce 100,000 electric vehicles (EVs) to its platform, starting in Europe and Latin America. This deal offers drivers special financing options and potential discounts on charging and maintenance. The partnership aims to boost EV adoption and reduce costs for drivers. Plans to extend the deal to other regions are underway. However, global tariffs on Chinese EVs could impact the initiative's success | The Verge

Investment & Deals

Aurora Innovation, aiming for a 2024 commercial launch, is raising $420 million through a stock offering after strong investor demand. The company will offer autonomous Paccar and Volvo trucks via a driver-as-a-service model, initially entering the market as a carrier. Despite a 29% stock surge, Aurora operates at a loss, spending $198 million in Q2 2024 with no revenue yet. Holding $402 million in cash and $618 million in investments, Aurora eyes future earnings through its Uber Freight partnership | TechCrunch

Zurich’s Metafuels and the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) secured Swiss Federal funding to build Switzerland's first e-SAF pilot plant at PSI's Villigen AG campus. Scheduled for 2025, this facility will use aerobrew technology to produce sustainable aviation fuel (e-SAF) from renewable energy, aligning with Switzerland's net-zero aviation targets. The project, backed by the Pilot & Demonstration programme for its innovation and alignment with the Swiss Energy Strategy 2050, promises up to 90% emissions reduction without disrupting existing aviation infrastructure or food supply chains | Tech.eu

Ola Electric, India’s top electric two-wheeler maker, seeks to raise $730M at a $4B valuation, down 26% from last October. FirstCry, the leading e-commerce platform for mother and baby products, targets $501M at a $2.9B valuation, below its earlier $4B goal. Both firms are unprofitable; Ola Electric lost $189.2M on $626.3M revenue, FirstCry lost $38.3M on $774M. Ola secured $319.5M from anchor investors, with SoftBank set to profit. These IPOs reflect a cautious market adapting to new realities | TechCrunch

Mayten, a Brussels mobility tech firm, has snapped up Danish rival Cogo. The deal plugs a hole in Mayten's MobilityFabric software suite, aimed at helping small shared mobility operators compete with VC-backed giants. Cogo, despite €1.9m funding and a platform spanning 700 cities, couldn't escape bankruptcy. Mayten's ambitions extend beyond software: its upcoming microcar signals a hardware push | ZAGDaily

Crisalion Mobility, a Spanish outfit, is teaming up with Dovetail Electric Aviation, a battery pack maker, to electrify flight. Dovetail's packs, meeting stringent aviation standards, will power Crisalion's five-seater Integrity eVTOL. Aiming for a 2030 launch, Crisalion seeks EU and Spanish funding. It's a classic venture capital play: green tech, sexy hardware, and a dash of regulatory complexity. Expect delays, hype, and maybe, just maybe, flying taxis | ZAGDaily

Cities & Policy

Senator Elizabeth Warren's Stop Corporate Capture Act aims to codify Chevron Deference, restoring regulators' power to interpret ambiguous laws. It imposes a 120-day White House review limit on new rules, lets agencies reinstate rescinded regulations, and mandates responses to petitions with 100,000+ signatures. Triggered by the Supreme Court's 6-3 decision to strike down Chevron, this bill seeks to preempt challenges to auto safety and emissions rules under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. It also establishes an Office of the Public Advocate to facilitate public participation in rulemaking | Streets Blog USA

South Pasadena PD just flipped the EV switch, becoming the first all-electric US police fleet. Twenty Teslas, courtesy of Unplugged Performance's UP.FIT, now patrol the streets. It's a green PR win, sure, but the real story is the cash: $500k from the state, $530k from Edison, and free solar/battery from Clean Power Alliance. City only coughs up $1.85m for chargers and leases. Electric policing: cheaper, greener, and a whole lot cooler | Green Car Reports

San José, California, secured a $260,000 grant from Toyota Mobility Foundation to deploy AI and computer vision technologies for traffic safety, focusing on bike lane obstructions and hazards threatening vulnerable road users. Partnering with US Ignite, San José aims to enhance safety in line with its 2025 Better Bike Plan and Vision Zero goals. The project emphasizes rapid detection and response, reallocating city resources from problem identification to resolution, and ensures privacy while engaging community organizations in AI’s public good applications | BusinessWire

California’s e-bike incentive program, managed by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and plagued by mismanagement, remains stalled after two years. Despite $30 million in funding and 20,000 interested residents, only 80 applications have surfaced during a confusing soft launch. Pedal Ahead, the controversial administrator, faces Department of Justice and CARB investigations. Allegations of favoritism during its selection process, along with San Diego’s refusal to renew Pedal Ahead’s local contract, further complicate the program’s future as frustration mounts statewide | Electrek

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