European Micromobility Injuries Decline for Third Year Due to Better Vehicles, Education, and Infrastructure | May 10th, 2024

Tesla, once doubtful of LiDAR, becomes a major customer; Atlanta's EnviroSpark hires from Tesla with new $50 million; Bolt secures €220 million for its upcoming public stock offering.

Issue [#238] - Every week, we deliver analysis and curation of emerging mobility news - post a job listing here!

Micromobility

Injuries from micromobility vehicles like e-scooters and e-bikes have decreased for the third consecutive year in Europe, according to Micro-Mobility for Europe (MMfE). This reduction is seen in a 19% drop for e-scooters and 16% for e-bikes from last year. Improved vehicle quality, educational efforts, and better city infrastructure contribute to this decline. MMfE aims to continue enhancing safety, underscoring micromobility's role in sustainable transportation | ZAGDaily 

In April 2024, the UK discussed updating rules for Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles (EAPCs), considering stronger motors and throttle use to make cycling easier, especially uphill. However, these changes might not significantly impact micromobility. Current laws lag behind, limiting potential benefits like increased accessibility and reduced car use. Proposals like creating a new vehicle category could better support innovation and address micromobility's diverse needs effectively. | ZAGDaily 

Amidst a wave of e-bike industry failures, Detroit-based startup Bloom aims to revolutionize e-bike manufacturing by handling the intricate, costly aspects like assembly and logistics, allowing companies to focus on design and branding. Founders Chris Nolte and Justin Kosmides believe this approach can save startups significant money and effort, potentially stabilizing the micromobility market. Bloom is attracting considerable interest, with plans to expand operations and double their team following their first funding round | TechCrunch

Product Launches & Updates

Kia has released teaser images of its new EV3 SUV, announcing a global premiere set for May 23, 2024. The EV3 is designed to be smaller, more affordable, and includes eco-friendly materials like a mushroom-based center console. With design cues borrowed from the larger EV9 and features such as the "tiger face" grille and Star Map lighting, the EV3 aims to expand Kia’s electric offerings and attract more consumers with its competitive pricing and innovative design | Electrek

Daimler Truck has unveiled an autonomous, electric prototype of its popular Freightliner Cascadia, named eCascadia, set to launch by 2027. In collaboration with Waymo and Torc, this truck will operate in the Southwest U.S., aiming for continuous, driverless freight service. The eCascadia is equipped with advanced sensors and computing power to navigate safely, reflecting Daimler's commitment to integrate autonomous technology into efficient, all-electric trucks for sustainable freight solutions | The Verge

General Motors (GM) announced it will stop making the gasoline-powered Chevrolet Malibu to focus on electric vehicles, ending its production in November after selling over 10 million units since 1964. GM is also investing $390 million in its Kansas assembly plant to produce the next-generation Chevrolet Bolt EVs, indicating a strategic shift from traditional cars to more electric and crossover vehicles | Reuters 

PURE EV and PDSL are teaming up to develop a high-performance electric two-wheeler featuring solid-state battery technology, aimed at the Indian and international markets. This new scooter will offer a range of 250 km, a top speed over 100 KMPH, and incorporate AI for easy troubleshooting and a fast charger. Set to attract significant investment, this venture highlights a strategic move to boost PURE EV’s presence in the premium scooter segment | Tech.eu

Ridehailing, Carsharing & Delivery

Uber announced plans to enhance its Uber One subscription service by introducing exclusive member events to drive engagement and increase revenue. With membership fees surpassing $1 billion in run-rate, Uber One offers significant perks like zero delivery fees and discounts on rides and deliveries. The strategy includes hosting exclusive events, such as a party with rapper Post Malone, to boost subscriber spending and loyalty, making the service a key revenue driver for the company | TechCrunch

Motional, a Hyundai and Aptiv joint venture, is delaying its commercial robotaxi launch to 2026 amid restructuring to focus on refining its core autonomous vehicle technology. The company, which will also reduce its workforce, plans to scale back near-term commercial operations, including its current autonomous taxi and delivery services. This shift aims to manage costs while enhancing the technology for future scalability and reliability in the ride-hailing sector | TechCrunch 

Uber has added safety features to its app like PIN verification, trip sharing, and ride recording. These tools are important as they help keep riders safe, especially after reports of 9,805 sexual assaults between 2017 and 2020. Although these features are not easy to find in the app, they offer important protection, particularly for women. There is a push for Uber to improve and make these features more accessible to increase safety for everyone | The Verge

Instacart is partnering with Uber Eats to launch restaurant delivery services within its app, utilizing Uber's back-end software and delivery network. This collaboration allows Instacart users to order from the same restaurant menus at the same prices as on Uber Eats, with deliveries fulfilled by Uber Eats couriers. This move aims to increase orders for Uber Eats' partners while expanding Instacart's service offerings without building a new infrastructure from scratch | The Verge

Investment & Deals

British autonomous driving pioneer, Wayve, secures a $1.05 billion Series C funding led by SoftBank Group, with NVIDIA and Microsoft also investing. The funds will accelerate the development and launch of their Embodied AI products, revolutionizing the automotive industry | Tech.eu

Fisker Inc., an American EV startup, faces financial turmoil as its Austrian arm files for bankruptcy protection. Despite launching the Ocean SUV, software issues and poor sales have led to a stock plummet and mass order cancellations. The company now seeks a lifeline investor | Electrek

Despite Elon Musk's previous dismissal of lidar technology, Tesla has become the largest LiDAR customer for Luminar in Q1, accounting for over 10% of Luminar's revenue. The exact purpose of Tesla's $2.1 million LiDAR investment remains unclear. However, this move suggests a shift in Tesla's stance on LiDAR, despite Musk's public anti-lidar sentiment | The Verge

Atlanta-based EV charging firm EnviroSpark eyes Tesla’s Supercharger team for talent acquisition, backed by a $50 million investment from Basalt Infrastructure Partners. The move aims to bolster its growth and innovation in the EV infrastructure space | Electrek

Bolt, the European mobility giant, secures a €220 million syndicated revolving credit facility, marking a significant financial milestone. The funds boost Bolt’s flexibility as it gears up for an IPO, reflecting banking partners’ confidence in its growth trajectory | Tech.eu

Despite a Q1 revenue of $1.2 billion, EV-maker Rivian reported a $1.45 billion loss. Cost-cutting measures are underway, including factory retooling and production shifts. However, investor concerns persist, reflected in a 4% share drop post-report | TechCrunch

Cities & Policy

U.S. transportation planning’s auto-centric focus is causing stress for women, who often undertake care-related trips, says a University of Michigan study. The researchers advocate for a shift towards people-centric planning, enabling independent travel for care-receivers, thereby reducing the burden on caregivers | StreetsBlogUSA

Republican lawmakers are pushing to reverse Biden’s climate policies, targeting EV tax credits and EPA tailpipe rules. Despite environmental groups’ defense of these policies, the GOP’s efforts could hinder EV adoption and environmental progress. The issue reflects the ongoing political divide over EVs and climate change | The Verge

Utah’s new law tackles unrestricted e-bikes, classifying those exceeding 28 mph as Out-of-Class EVs. It imposes age restrictions on riders and mandates classification stickers on e-bikes. Non-compliance could lead to deceptive trade practice charges | Electric Bike Report

New Products, Features, and Data Points

In a holiday experiment, Renault’s Nicolas Fremau birthed the E-Tech hybrid system using Lego Technic parts. His creation, the LocoDisco Box, revolutionized transmissions with its efficient dog clutches. Debuting in the 2019 Clio E-Tech, the concept has since permeated Renault’s range, redefining the “bricked” gearbox | Car and Driver

Bengaluru’s Ola Electric is revving up for an electric motorcycle foray. The EV giant has filed three patents for models echoing the M1 Cyber Racer concept. From a basic hub-motor model to sportier versions with distinct ergonomics, Ola’s electric motorcycle range promises to electrify the market | Express Drives

---

If you liked this post from Movements, why not share it? Forward it to a friend and we'll send you some sweet karma!