Breaking the Mold: Maven Cargo E-Bike's Gender-Inclusive Approach | Oct 20th, 2023

Also, Kia is accepting reservations for its flagship EV, the EV9, and Archer Aviation will launch air taxis in Abu Dhabi by 2026.

Issue [#209] - Every week, we deliver analysis and curation of emerging mobility news - post a job listing here!

Micromobility

Micromobility is under scrutiny due to battery safety concerns, as incidents of house fires linked to e-bike and e-scooter lithium-ion batteries make headlines. Manufacturers and operators must prioritize risk management to uphold public trust in these vehicles. Fortunately, proactive measures like sourcing high-quality batteries, ensuring storage safety, etc., can significantly minimize overall safety risks | ZAGDaily

E-bikes, a new trend, have the potential to reshape car-centric cities in the United States. As urban landscapes adapt to post-pandemic living, measures like car-free streets and "15-minute cities" are emerging. The expansion of safe bike lanes, particularly protected ones, encourages more diverse ridership, increasing demand for bicycle-friendly cities that cater to everyone, regardless of income or gender | Washington Post

The surge in personal transportation, like e-scooters and e-bikes, has led to a rise in injuries nationwide. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's report, "Micromobility Products-Related Deaths, Injuries, and Hazard Patterns," reveals a 21% increase in micro mobility-related injuries in 2022 compared to the prior year. Since 2017, these injuries have shown an average annual increase of around 23% | Wusa90

Product Launches & Updates

Kia now accepts reservations for its flagship EV, the EV9, a full-size SUV, with a $750 reservation fee applicable toward the purchase. This reservation approach, initiated with the 2022 EV6 sedan, marks a new strategy for Kia, and the EV9 becomes their second pre-orderable vehicle, offering customers a chance to secure their future deliveries | TechCrunch

Swifty Scooters, a British scooter manufacturer, will unveil its new Swifty GO G500 e-scooter at the Micromobility Industries summit in San Francisco this month. The e-scooter features a Lithium FerroPhosphate (LFP) battery to prevent overheating, along with 16-inch wheels for an optimal ride. It also includes disk brakes, dual suspension, indicator lights, and a spacious deck, all designed for safety and comfort | ZAGDaily

Honda introduces an autonomous work vehicle (AWV) for tedious airport tasks, showcasing its broader applications beyond urban congestion. The first prototype is headed to Toronto Pearson Airport, illustrating how AI, robotics, and autonomy can alleviate airport challenges like labor shortages, safety, and emissions, in a move to enhance airport operations | The Verge

Integral Electrics CEO Laura Belmar identified a male-centric bias in bike design at the Taipei Cycle Show. In response, her team created the Maven Cargo e-bike, breaking free from traditional male-oriented design by prioritizing women and shorter riders. This e-bike offers a unique design tailored to accommodate shorter riders, ensuring both confidence and utility for cargo carrying while also meeting the needs of taller partners and seasoned cyclists, fostering inclusivity and a better riding experience | Electrek

New York's Infinite Machine unveils the P1, an Apple and Tesla-inspired e-scooter, envisioning a car-free future. Their app empowers users to control the scooter remotely, from locking to immobilizing it. Furthermore, it pioneers integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, emphasizing accessibility and innovation | ZAGDaily

Ridehailing, Carsharing & Delivery

China’s aviation authority, CAAC, has given EHang Holdings a green light to start flying passengers in the country. The company, which makes the E216-S air taxi, has passed all the safety and airworthiness tests required by CAAC. The company plans to offer aerial tours in Xinjiang province and Shenzhen through local partnerships | The Verge

Archer Aviation, a U.S. company that makes eVTOL vehicles, will launch air taxis in Abu Dhabi by 2026. This is its first international market outside the U.S. The company recently secured a $142 million deal to supply six “Midnight” aircraft to the U.S. Air Force. The “Midnight” can fly up to 100 miles with four passengers and a pilot | TechCrunch

A panel of national judges has approved a "multi-district litigation" where 90 Uber lawsuit plaintiffs in sexual assault cases from 2019 can unite, streamlining justice. According to the attorneys behind the litigation, this decision may enhance victim recourse against Uber and advocate for broader policy reforms to combat crimes like rape, groping, and kidnapping in app-based taxis | StreetBlogsUSA

Investment & Deals

For the period of July to September, the Shenzhen-based company projects a net profit between 9.55 billion yuan ($1.31 billion) and 11.55 billion yuan. This represents a significant increase of 67% to 102% compared to the previous year | US News

With the failure to secure a battery supplier and obtain additional capital, Volta Trucks, the producer of the all-electric Volta Zero, has filed for bankruptcy, resulting in the unfortunate consequences for over 800 employees | Tech.eu

Chinese automaker Nio is exploring the possibility of partnering with dealerships to increase EV sales in Europe | Reuters

Earlier this month, Pendragon accepted Lithia Motors' offer of £397 million ($483.82 million) for its motor and leasing businesses in the UK | Reuters

Infineon has inked a semiconductor supply agreement with automakers Hyundai and Kia | Reuters

UK-based Drive Co has completed the acquisition of DriveShare, marking an expansion of its classic car-sharing community. This strategic move aims to provide classic car owners with a seamless and comprehensive car-sharing experience, streamlining the process for all involved | Tech.eu

Nirvana raises $57 million to pave the way for AI integration in the realm of commercial trucking insurance | TechCrunch

Cities & Policy

Bolt is poised to introduce distance-based pricing in Brussels, positioning itself as one of the early adopters in the global micromobility industry. The objective is to foster safer scooter riding behaviors and incentivize responsible usage | ZAGDaily

The Victorian state government's tax on electric vehicles (EVs) has been overturned by the Australian High Court | Electrek

Iconic Double-Decker Buses, Immortalized in Bollywood Films, Bid Farewell to Mumbai | Bloomberg

Regulators at the federal level have launched an investigation into Cruise, the self-driving car 023/10/subsidiary of GM | TechCrunch

New Products, Features, and Data Points

BMW, the well-known German automaker and parent company of Mini and Rolls-Royce, has announced its decision to adopt Tesla's electric vehicle charging standard for its future EV lineup | The Verge

94% of this year's bike fatalities occurred on streets without protected bike lanes, setting a new record | StreetsBlog NYC

In a joint effort, Foxconn and Nvidia are establishing "AI factories" to expedite the advancement of self-driving cars | TechCrunch

Rivian is revamping key features in its electric trucks and SUVs to enhance user experience and facilitate easier towing | The Verge

Tesla has finally released its official API documentation, providing support for third-party apps after years of operating in an unofficial API gray zone | Electrek

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