BMW Electrifies Smaller Cars: Introducing the Affordable EV BMW 1 Series for Younger Buyers | June 21st, 2024
Dockless micromobility faces steep fees, jeopardizing programs. Tesla delays Cybertruck due to wiper issues. Uber, Postmates lose gig work law appeal, impacting driver classification nationwide.
Issue [#244] - Every week, we deliver analysis and curation of emerging mobility news - post a job listing here!
Micromobility
Dockless shared micromobility, like e-scooters and e-bikes, faces taxes and fees 23 times higher per mile than personal cars. This report highlights how high fees increase costs for riders, risking the closure of micromobility programs. The study, involving Lime and universities, recommends aligning fees with policy goals and suggests simplifying fee structures to ensure affordability and support sustainable, equitable transportation | ZAGDaily
A digital sleuth, Bryan Hance, uncovered a massive bike-theft operation involving high-end stolen bikes trafficked from Silicon Valley to Mexico. Using tips and online sleuthing, Hance traced the stolen bikes to a company in Jalisco. Despite rigorous efforts, including working with the police and tech companies, the operation's scale and complexity posed significant challenges. Hance's relentless pursuit highlights the global and organized nature of modern bike theft, emphasizing the need for improved bike security and recovery measures | WIRED
Zag Daily interviewed Ana, Anadue’s new AI assistant for the mobility industry. Ana aids in data analysis, customer feedback, vehicle status, revenue insights, route optimization, and more. By analyzing data and generating reports quickly, Ana supports decision-making across all levels of micromobility operations, enhancing efficiency and profitability. This innovative tool promises to revolutionize shared mobility by providing real-time insights and practical recommendations for companies | ZAGDaily
Cities transforming away from car dominance isn’t radical but a return to their natural state. Amsterdam and Montreal showcase how reducing cars can make urban spaces more enjoyable, with pedestrian-friendly areas feeling intuitive and pleasant. Such changes often arise from necessity and activism but ultimately restore a city’s natural, human-centered design, highlighting that car-free cities feel normal and beneficial | StreetsBlog USA
Product Launches & Updates
Rattan has introduced the Pinus, a compact 20" folding e-bike for 2024. Featuring a robust 960Wh battery (expandable to 1,920Wh), a torque sensor for smooth power delivery, and a 750W motor reaching speeds up to 28 mph, it combines power with convenience. Weighing 83 lbs, it supports up to 400 lbs. Additional features include hydraulic disc brakes, LED lighting, and USB charging, priced at $1,699 | Electrek
BMW is shifting its smaller cars to electric with the BMW 1 Series becoming an affordable EV for younger buyers. The new i1 and i2 models are being developed in Munich, combining BMW's design with electric power. They will come out in 2027 and 2028 and use BMW's Neue Klasse platform, offering better range and quicker charging. BMW wants to appeal to younger drivers and grow its market share, selling these alongside regular gas-powered models | Electrek
Tesla faces delays in Cybertruck deliveries due to windshield wiper malfunctions. Owners and potential buyers have encountered issues with wiper motors and blades, causing unexpected delays in vehicle availability. Tesla has acknowledged these challenges but has not yet responded to inquiries regarding the exact nature of the problem. The company's proactive approach to resolving these issues will likely impact the anticipated rollout schedule for the highly anticipated Cybertruck model | The Verge
Ridehailing, Carsharing, & Delivery
Uber and Postmates lost their appeal in a U.S. court against California's gig work law. The law could require them to treat drivers as employees, not contractors. The court upheld that the law did not unfairly target app-based transport firms. Uber plans to maintain its driver relationships as contractors under Proposition 22. The ruling impacts how gig economy workers are classified nationwide amid ongoing legal challenges and debates over labor laws | Reuters
Uber and Lyft passengers explain why they sometimes don't tip, a practice that occurs only around a quarter of the time. Reasons include bad service, expensive fares, and personal beliefs. Some, such as Ron, always tip because of their previous job experience, while others like Valerie tip less frequently due to service problems and high prices. The tipping debate persists, affecting drivers who heavily depend on tips to earn a living | Business Insider
SIXT expands its North American ride-hailing with Blacklane chauffeur services, enhancing luxury travel options through its app and website. This partnership aims to offer premium experiences like airport transfers and city rides, utilizing vehicles ranging from top models to electric and business-class options. By integrating Blacklane, SIXT consolidates its mobility solutions, focusing on customer convenience and service quality across the U.S. and Canada, bolstering market presence and enhancing travel experiences | Businesswire
Jonathan Rigsby's book "Drive: Scraping by in Uber's America, One Ride at a Time" sheds light on the struggles of Uber drivers like himself. Despite holding a state job, Rigsby turned to ride-sharing to meet financial obligations, often earning just $80 a week after expenses. His story underscores the precariousness of gig work, with earnings varying widely. This highlights broader issues in gig economy regulation and worker stability, urging reforms for fairer compensation and conditions | CNBC
Investment & Deals
Recurrent Energy, a subsidiary of Canadian Solar, secured $513 million in financing for the Papago Storage project in Maricopa County, Arizona. This project, slated to become Arizona’s largest standalone battery storage facility, will feature a 1,200 MWh battery. Construction is scheduled to commence in Q3 2024, with completion anticipated by Q2 2025. Recurrent Energy will own and operate the project, providing power for approximately 244,000 homes for four hours a day in support of renewable energy. The financing comprises a combination of loans and credit facilities | Electrek
Los Angeles delivery platform Cartwheel secured $1.5 million in funding to expand its hybrid delivery model. Cartwheel combines in-house couriers with third-party services like DoorDash Drive to fulfill restaurant orders. The company projects profitability by 2025 and plans to leverage the funds for platform development and growth | Modern Delivery
Indian electric scooter leader Ola Electric got the green light for a $660 million IPO, marking the first public offering of an EV company in India. With approval from SEBI, Ola aims to list its shares by mid-July after gauging investor interest. This funding will fuel expansion plans for the company currently valued at $5.4 billion | Reuters
Zepto aims to expand its network of dark stores to over 700 by March 2025. The startup said its revenue has risen 140% from a year earlier, and its annualized gross merchandise value (GMV) is on track to exceed $1 billion. It works with over 50,000 delivery partners and is adding over 5,000 delivery partners each month | TechCrunch
Fisker, a US electric vehicle startup, filed for bankruptcy citing financial struggles. The company aims to sell assets and restructure debt to stay afloat. This filing reflects wider challenges in the EV industry, including weak demand and supply chain issues | Reuters
Chinese ride-hailing company Didi denies rumors of a specific timeline for a Hong Kong IPO, despite reports of them meeting with US investors and planning a 2024 listing. The company emphasizes ongoing communication with investors and highlights recent business growth following its 2021 delisting from the New York Stock Exchange | Technode
Cities & Policy
A 3-day Shared Mobility Summer Course in London this August targets urban transport professionals. The program by movmi, EIT Urban Mobility and Loud Mobility aims to equip participants with knowledge on shared mobility's future and user behavior change. It features presentations, workshops, networking events, and sessions by industry experts | ZAGDaily
New York City is unveiling a plan to address a crumbling section of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE). This heavily used highway is in such a critical state that weight sensors are needed to monitor trucks to prevent collapse. The plan focuses on repairing a specific half-mile section featuring a complex, multi-level design. This project is the latest chapter in a long-standing struggle to fix major infrastructure, despite its clear necessity | Bloomberg
CDK Global, a vital software provider for car dealerships in North America, has been hit by a cyberattack, causing a second day of outage. This prevents dealerships from accessing critical systems for sales, customer information, and maintenance. The company shut down systems twice, first as a precaution and again due to a further attack. Many dealerships are resorting to manual processes while CDK works to restore service, which could take several days. The cause and culprit behind the attack remain unknown | The Verge
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