Belgium Launches First Remote-Driven Car Service at Antwerp-Bruges Port| February 14th, 2025

Kia teased the EV2, EV4, and PV5 ahead of their debut, Jeep showcased the Recon EV, and HPS introduced a lightweight e-bike system.

Issue [#276] - Every week, we deliver analysis and curation of emerging mobility news - post a job listing here!

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Micromobility

New York City is offering free UL-certified e-bikes to delivery workers in exchange for their uncertified or illegal electric bikes. The E-Bike Trade-In Program aims to improve safety while supporting workers who rely on low-cost e-bikes for deliveries. Applications are open until March 10, with limited supply. “Millions rely on these workers,” the NYC DOT stated, emphasizing the importance of safer, compliant e-bikes for the city’s infrastructure | Electrek

FTN Motion has launched the Streetdog80, a faster electric bike reaching 80 kph, requiring a motorcycle license. Co-founder Kendall Bristow called it “a significant step forward,” offering more road access. Demand is high, with the first 50 units reserved. The bike features a 7.5kW motor and an easy-to-ride design. FTN plans to expand to Australia, where pre-orders suggest strong interest in the new model | Stuff

Product Launches & Updates

Kia has teased the EV2, EV4, and PV5 ahead of their official debut on February 27, 2025. The EV2 is a compact electric SUV expected to start at $20,000 in Korea. The EV4 maintains its sporty fastback design. Kia will also introduce the PV5, a modular electric van. CEO Ho-Sung Song says the lineup is part of a "bold new strategy" to transform the EV market | Electrek

Jeep teased the 2026 Recon EV in a Super Bowl ad, highlighting its off-road appeal with removable doors. Originally announced in 2022, the electric SUV is part of Stellantis’ EV expansion. Production begins this month, with first deliveries expected in late 2025. While Jeep has not revealed pricing or preorders, the Recon aims to attract Wrangler fans with its rugged design and adventure-ready features | The Verge

HPS Design has introduced its F1-inspired WattAssist e-bike propulsion system to European manufacturers. Weighing less than 2kg, the system offers power assistance without adding significant weight to bikes. Two battery options provide up to three hours of support. The system maintains the bike’s geometry, enhancing stability and handling. HPS aims to expand cycling access, targeting age or health-constrained riders. F1 figures Jenson Button and Toto Wolff are among the high-profile customers | ZAGDaily

Rivian is opening sales of its electric commercial vans to all U.S. businesses, ending its exclusivity with Amazon. The company will offer two models, the 500 and 700, but only to registered businesses. This move expands Rivian’s revenue streams as it prepares to launch a more affordable SUV next year. The company has tested the vans with fleet customers and built infrastructure to support broader adoption | TechCrunch

Ridehailing, Carsharing & Delivery

Belgium’s first remote-driven car service has launched at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, marking Europe’s first revenue-generating driverless operation. Led by Ush and Poppy, the service delivers rental cars remotely, allowing users to drive themselves or be guided by remote operators. The phased rollout will expand across the port by 2025, with a citywide launch in 2026. This initiative reinforces Belgium’s role as a hub for autonomous mobility innovation | Tech.eu

Lyft plans to launch Mobileye-powered robotaxis in Dallas by 2026, with expansion to other cities. Partnering with Marubeni for fleet ownership, the move supports Lyft’s asset-light model. This follows past setbacks in autonomous vehicle development. Lyft aims to compete with Uber, which has secured multiple AV partnerships. The company sees fleet management and demand generation as key areas for growth in the evolving robotaxi market | TechCrunch

Zoox’s second-generation robotaxi, tested in Las Vegas, offers a safe but cautious ride. Despite over a decade of development and significant investment, Zoox remains behind Waymo, with no public launch date set. The vehicle lacks traditional controls and relies on pre-mapped routes, limiting adaptability. Regulatory scrutiny and past safety incidents add challenges. While innovative, Zoox’s slow progress raises questions about its ability to compete in the evolving robotaxi market | The Verge

Lyft saw record highs in rides, riders, and driver hours in Q4 2024, driven by faster pickups and premium service expansion. Lyft Black and Lyft SUV usage rose 41%, while an AI support tool for drivers saved 28,000 hours in tests. Price Lock subscriptions also gained traction. Revenue grew 27% to $1.6 billion. Lyft aims to enhance high-end offerings in 2025, following trends seen in the airline industry | Smart Cities Dive

Avride and Uber Eats have launched autonomous delivery robots in Jersey City, the first on the East Coast. Customers can now opt for robot deliveries from top local restaurants via the Uber Eats app. The expansion, supported by city officials, aims to boost restaurant business and enhance convenience. Avride previously launched in Austin and Dallas and plans to bring the service to more cities in the future | Medium

Christensen Group has launched a robotics insurance division to address new risks in autonomous delivery and mobility. Unlike traditional policies, these plans cover issues like software errors in unmanned robots. The firm sees last-mile delivery bots as the highest risk but expects fewer overall incidents. Partnering with legal experts, Christensen aims to lead in this emerging market, offering specialized coverage as demand for autonomous solutions grows | ZAGDaily

Getaround is shutting down its U.S. car-sharing operations due to financial struggles, focusing instead on its European business. Customers were given short notice to return rentals, as liability coverage ended the same day. The closure includes its HyreCar business, acquired in 2023. Despite past restructuring efforts, Interim CEO AJ Lee cited a lack of liquidity as the reason for the shutdown, marking the end of Getaround’s U.S. presence | TechCrunch

May Mobility has launched its first fully driverless commercial ride-hailing service in Peachtree Corners, Georgia. The autonomous shuttles operate along a dedicated AV corridor, with no human safety operators. Partnering with Curiosity Lab, May offers free rides to preset stops, including hotels and offices. The company plans to expand service and integrate with Lyft later this year, marking a step toward broader adoption of autonomous shared mobility | TechCrunch

Investment & Deals

Archer Aviation raised $300 million from investors including BlackRock and Wellington to accelerate its defense-focused hybrid VTOL aircraft. This follows a $430 million round in December supporting its Archer Defense program. Partnering with Anduril, Archer aims for a U.S. defense contract, securing long-term funding. While advancing military applications, the company still plans a commercial air taxi launch in 2025, balancing its dual-use strategy for future growth | TechCrunch

FINN secured €1 billion in asset-backed financing to expand its vehicle fleet in Germany and support its European growth. Citi, Jefferies, and Avellinia Capital are among the key financiers. With over 25,000 vehicles, FINN aims to strengthen its market position and offer better deals. COO Nikolai Schröder sees the funding as a confidence boost, reinforcing the company’s growth and risk management strategy | Tech.eu

The UK government has allocated £291 million to improve walking, cycling, and wheeling infrastructure across England. The funding supports 300 miles of new paths, safer crossings, and cycle training for children. Local authorities will receive £222.5 million, with additional funds for school initiatives and the National Cycle Network. Officials emphasize health benefits and economic gains, though experts call for greater investment to meet long-term active travel goals | ZAGDaily

Turkish micromobility operator Tripy Mobility has secured investment from impact fund Fark Labs to expand across Europe. The funds will strengthen its e-bike fleet, EV charging network, and AI-driven software. Currently operating in three Turkish cities, Tripy aims to reach 30 million people by year-end. CEO Dr. Ali Onuralp Ünal sees this as a step toward becoming a global brand, advancing sustainable urban mobility solutions | ZAGDaily

Revel has secured a $60 million loan from NY Green Bank to expand New York City’s public EV charging network. The investment will add 267 new charging stalls across nine sites, with most completed within a year. Governor Kathy Hochul emphasized its role in easing the shift to EVs and cutting emissions. Revel CEO Frank Reig called it a major step toward making New York a leader in urban EV infrastructure | Smart Cities Dive

New York’s NY Green Bank is lending Revel $60 million to expand its public EV charging network. The funding will add 267 fast-charging stalls across nine sites, with most completed in a year. Governor Kathy Hochul emphasized its role in cutting emissions and boosting EV adoption. Revel CEO Frank Reig said the investment will create a top-tier charging network, strengthening New York’s position as a leader in clean transportation | Smart Cities Dive

Nissan and Honda have ended their memorandum of understanding for a potential business integration. The companies explored various structures but decided to terminate discussions to maintain agility in a rapidly changing market. Honda had proposed a parent-subsidiary model, but both agreed to focus on a strategic partnership instead. Moving forward, they plan to collaborate on intelligent and electrified vehicles while maximizing corporate value through innovation and shared expertise | Honda

Cities & Policy

Republican senators have introduced bills to end the $7,500 federal EV tax credit and impose a $1,000 fee on new electric cars. Supporters claim the tax offsets lost gas tax revenue, but critics argue it unfairly burdens EV buyers. The move could slow U.S. EV adoption, impacting the auto industry’s competitiveness. Key sponsors, including Senator John Barrasso, have received significant contributions from the oil and gas industry | Electrek

The U.S. State Department initially planned to buy $400 million worth of armored Teslas but later changed the listing to "armored EVs." The procurement, stemming from a Biden-era request, is now on hold. Reports suggest the Cybertruck was a likely choice, but Tesla CEO Elon Musk denied involvement. The shift raises questions about government spending and transparency under President Trump’s administration | The Verge

After two decades of planning, NYC launched the U.S.’s first zone-based congestion pricing, cutting traffic 7% in its first week. Governor Hochul reduced the fee from $15 to $9, rising to $12 in 2028. Faster travel times at Holland and Lincoln Tunnels boost last-mile micromobility, maritime freight, off-peak deliveries, and mobility aggregators | Sustainable Mobility

The Trump administration removed 2022 car crash fatality data from the NHTSA website, raising concerns about transparency. Experts worry the change could impact safety research, as FARS data has been crucial since 1975. The removal may relate to a new gender category in reports. While NHTSA claims "minor corrections," researchers fear further restrictions, which could hinder efforts to track crash trends and improve vehicle safety policies | Ars Technica

Donald Trump nominated Apple executive Jonathan Morrison to lead the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Morrison, formerly NHTSA’s chief counsel, has an extensive automotive background. If confirmed, he will oversee Tesla investigations and shape transportation policies. Trump’s agenda includes pausing EV charging development, delaying braking regulations, and rolling back fuel efficiency standards. Morrison’s leadership could influence self-driving car oversight and industry regulations in the coming years | TechCrunch

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