Eco Speed: The Hydrogen-Powered E-bike changing the Future of Cycling | Aug 11th, 2023
Also, HumanForest rebranded to Forest, Lucid’s Gravity SUV’s production will start in late 2024, and NeXtWind has received $750 million in funding for sustainable energy solutions.
Issue [#199] - Every week, we deliver analysis and curation of emerging mobility news - post a job listing here!
Micromobility
HumanForest, a shared micromobility operator, has simplified its name to 'Forest' as part of a brand refresh. It includes changes to its physical and digital touchpoints and features a shorter logo and unique brown tires for the Forest bike. The main goal of the rebrand is to reconnect the bike with its users and their original inspiration, a tree, aiming to simplify the experience for riders. As Forest's Head of Design, Joe Rampley, stated, "Naturally, shorter names suggest a more simple overall experience." / ZAGDaily
Recent news about Dutch e-bike manufacturer VanMoof being declared bankrupt may have sparked some industry concerns. However, e-bikes can be essential to an integrated urban transport system. Philip Ellis, CEO and co-founder of Beryl believes that including e-bikes and e-scooters in sustainable transport options makes active travel more appealing. By offering a variety of vehicles, more people can find a shared transport option that fits their needs / ZAGDaily
Shared micromobility allows people without a vehicle to easily access work or training without commitments or fixed routes. However, price and availability can make this mode of travel less accessible. If price and availability barriers can be solved, then many new areas should be able to access shared micromobility. By reducing prices in low-income neighborhoods, we can boost demand and improve their connection to the rest of the city / StreetBlogs USA
We rarely get to see how much money someone saves by using an e-bike instead of a car. Bryn Grunwald, a resident of Colorado, recently had the opportunity to calculate the expenses of using her 2018 Juiced CrossCurrent e-bike for five years. She traveled for over 11,500 miles for just US $30.75! Even more exciting, when she compared the figures to her car, she discovered she saved about $1500 just on fuel costs! / Electrek
Product Launches & Updates
Lucid announced on Monday, August 07, that it will unveil the highly anticipated Gravity SUV in November. However, production will not begin until late 2024. The electric vehicle maker planned to start making the Gravity at its Arizona factory in late 2023. The date was changed to 2024, but the company didn't say when production would start. In April 2023, Lucid started testing pre-production Gravity SUVs on public roads, providing its first update / TechCrunch
The Eco Speed concept bike offers a hydrogen-powered e-bike with a sleek design. It was the result of a collaboration between Canyon and Alexander Forst, who started working together in 2014. The bike uses a hydrogen fuel cell to power its e-bike system, which is more environmentally friendly than conventional batteries. The bike also features disc brakes, a concealed drivetrain, and front and rear suspension. Is this the bike of the future that we will all ride? / Road
Cadillac's latest SUV model, the Escalade IQ, boasts a unique front-light design and is set to be manufactured at GM's Michigan Factory Zero starting next summer. This electric vehicle is impressively powerful, able to produce up to 750 horsepower, and features a sleeker design than its gas-powered counterparts. In addition, the Escalade IQ offers one-pedal driving with regenerative braking and is considered GM's most aerodynamic full-size SUV to date / The Verge
Ridehailing, Carsharing & Delivery
The California Public Utilities Commission is scheduled to make a high-stakes vote Thursday on whether or not Cruise and Waymo can launch commercial robotaxi services in the state. While both companies already provide limited services in San Francisco, if the CPUC approves their final permits, they can charge for rides, expand operations, and add more robotaxis to their fleets. Moreover, this decision might also affect how other cities regulate AV growth / TechCrunch
Lyft's CEO David Risher announced on the company's second-quarter earnings call that they are considering getting rid of surge pricing, which will significantly increase their rider numbers. Lyft's surge pricing kicks in when there aren't enough drivers to meet demand. However, riders disapprove of this practice / Engadget
Uber Technologies Inc. released its civil-rights audit on Friday, held upon shareholders' request, to mixed reactions. The audit discovered that Uber's policies and practices didn't align with their anti-racist commitments. It also mentions a widespread issue among Uber drivers, which is deactivation, and that the company is reviewing its deactivation policies to improve the experience for drivers, including drivers of color / MarketWatch
In November 2018, Lyft bought Motivate, a company that provides bicycle-sharing systems. By acquiring the top American urban bike rental platform, Lyft boosted its reputation, solidified its presence in key U.S. cities, and set itself apart from Uber. Five years later, Lyft wants out. Why? Perhaps it was just another marketing strategy for the ridehailing company, but it didn't work as planned / SLATE
In the second quarter, Lyft earned less from each rider, which could have been a concern for investors. However, after reporting its Q2 2023 earnings, the stock price of the ride-hailing company surged by almost 14% in after-hours trading. Before this report went live, the stock gains dropped again. Additionally, while Lyft's profit per rider dropped by 5% each quarter, the company gained more riders because of its low fares, which they set in an attempt to compete with Uber / TechCrunch
Investment & Deals
Earlier this week, Proterra, a company specializing in the development of battery systems for buses and other heavy-duty electric vehicles (EVs), declared bankruptcy, marking the latest addition to a series of setbacks in the EV industry / TechCrunch
In a remarkable achievement, the Fuell Fllow Electric Motorcycle has successfully raised $3 million in just three days / AutoEvolution
Spiro, an African electric motorcycle company, secures funding for a significant global expansion endeavor / Electrek
NeXtWind, based in Berlin, has received $750 million in funding for sustainable energy solutions, with the goal of repowering outdated wind turbines and redefining Germany's energy source / Tech.eu
Cities & Policy
Electrical Safety First, a UK charity, has urged for scooter and e-bike batteries to be regulated similarly to fireworks, advocating for third-party approval for all batteries entering the market / ZAGDaily
In a crackdown on cycling in pedestrian areas, Cardiff police capture 17 illicit e-bikes. The motorcycles, which can reach 40 mph, are classified as motorbikes and hence require a license and insurance / eBiketips
Republican candidate Joe Kent, during his unsuccessful 2022 campaign for the third district congressional seat in southwest Washington state, aimed to draw attention to his Democratic opponent's endorsement of the expansion of Portland's light rail system to Vancouver, Washington / Bloomberg
A proposed bill is heading to Mayor Eric Adams' desk, which, if signed, would lead to the creation of a real-time bike map for cyclists in New York City. The map would provide valuable information on bike routes and potential disruptions / Secret NYC
New Products, Features & Data Points
Segway proudly presents the ChargeLock Station, a groundbreaking collaboration with Metro Mobility, revolutionizing urban mobility / Segway
In a collaborative effort, Google, American Airlines, and Bill Gates' climate investment fund, Breakthrough Energy, are working together to develop sustainable flight routes. The objective is to assist pilots in minimizing the environmental impact of flights / The Verge
GM to offer bidirectional vehicle-to-home (V2H) charging on all EVs by 2026, enabling them to serve as backup power sources / Green Car Reports
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