Harmonizing Micromobility: EU’s Push for Safer, Smarter PMD Regulations | November 22nd, 2024
Plus, discover how e-bikes are transforming commuting, learn from Veo’s community-first micromobility model, and explore Segway’s success during the Paris Olympics.
Issue [#264] - Every week, we deliver analysis and curation of emerging mobility news - post a job listing here!
Micromobility
The EU wants to harmonize PMD regulations, as inconsistent rules hinder safety and market growth. TRL and fka GmbH propose a new PMD vehicle category with speed and weight limits, replacing power limits with acceleration caps and adopting performance-based safety standards. This would benefit users, manufacturers, and authorities. Dr. George Beard, TRL's Head of New Mobility, leads the charge for a safer, more innovative micromobility future | ZAGDaily
Electric bikes (e-bikes) are revolutionizing commuting, fitness, and outdoor recreation. Classified into three types—Class 1, 2, and 3—each with varying motor assistance and speed. Key factors include range, battery life (500-1,000 cycles), style, and maintenance, which mirrors traditional bikes. E-bikes offer substantial savings over cars, but theft prevention, weight, and test rides are critical considerations | Electrek
Researchers from Vienna and Indonesia modeled shared micromobility fleets. They found that subsidies boost user adoption, while high fees hurt it. Strict regulations limit expansion, but flexible ones drive growth. Fleet size elasticity, demand patterns, and reinvestment are crucial for long-term success. Policymakers and operators can use these insights to optimize micromobility systems for sustainable urban transportation | TechXplore
In 2017, micromobility fleets launched without community approval, sparking backlash. Veo, in contrast, engages communities and secures city approval before deploying. Partnering with nonprofits in Santa Monica and Seattle, Veo focuses on underserved groups, such as the homeless, seniors, and disabled. They prioritize long-term integration, advocating for micromobility’s evolution through genuine community involvement | ZAGDaily
Segway’s micromobility solution, deployed during the 2024 Paris Olympics, facilitated over a million rides, showcasing its potential to revolutionize urban transportation. The company envisions a future where micromobility is a key component of city infrastructure, with projections indicating significant growth. Segway’s global operations, spanning 500+ cities and navigating diverse regulatory landscapes, highlight its adaptability and commitment to quality. By fostering innovation and collaboration, Segway aims to shape the future of micromobility and improve urban living | ZAGDaily
Product Launches & Updates
Husqvarna’s Pioneer electric enduro addresses noise and legality issues, offering street-legal access to both roads and trails. With a 5.5 kWh battery, it claims 85 miles of range, recharges in 8 hours, or swaps in 10 minutes. Its 11 kW motor, traction control, and regenerative braking suit both beginners and experts. Launching in March 2025, pricing remains undisclosed | Electrek
Chrysler's electric Pacifica, launching in 2027, will feature a reimagined Stow-N-Go system and a futuristic design inspired by the Halcyon concept. CEO Christine Feuell confirmed the name at the 2024 LA Auto Show, citing strong consumer sentiment. The electric Pacifica's interior will be highly flexible, allowing for various seating configurations and cargo arrangements | Green Car Reports
Kia unveiled the 2025 EV9 GT and refreshed EV6 at the 2024 LA Auto Show. The EV9 GT, with over 500 hp, 4.3-second 0-60 mph, and electronic suspension, is Kia’s first with a Tesla NACS port. The EV6 now offers larger batteries for up to 319 miles of range. The EV9 GT is South Korea-built, while the EV6 is U.S.-produced. Pricing will be announced closer to release | The Verge
Hyundai's Ioniq 9, a three-row electric SUV, debuted at the LA Auto Show. It's based on the Seven concept but lacks some features like swiveling seats. Despite this, it offers ample interior space, a sleek design, and fast-charging. The Ioniq 9 will arrive in the US in spring 2025 and is eligible for a $7,500 tax credit. Hyundai's innovative Features on Demand system allows owners to purchase additional features digitally | TechCrunch
Jaguar is rebranding as it shifts to an all-electric lineup, with the first model arriving in 2026. The automaker has revealed a redesigned logo featuring new typography and a contemporary aesthetic inspired by Pop Art. Its ethos, “copy nothing,” is rooted in founder Sir William Lyons’ original vision. Marketing slogans like “delete ordinary” and “create exuberant” reflect this direction. Chief creative officer Gerry McGovern assures the transformation is genuine. The new branding aims to blend legacy with modern appeal, signaling a dramatic shift for Jaguar's identity as it embraces exuberant modernism and bold new design elements | The Verge
Ridehailing, Carsharing & Delivery
OneRail, founded in 2018 by Bill and Lisa Catania, optimizes last-mile deliveries. Its platform selects shipping modes and carriers, and offers fleet management. Expanding rapidly, it reaches 400+ cities and handles 250K+ deliveries daily. Recent acquisition of Orderbot and $42M Series C funding fuel growth | TechCrunch
Uber and Lyft are ramping up autonomous vehicle (AV) operations. Uber’s CEO, Khosrowshahi, praises its partnership with Waymo, planning expansions to Austin and Atlanta. Lyft, with 130,000 rides in Las Vegas, eyes San Francisco, where Waymo, Zoox, and Cruise operate. Both CEOs highlight the premium cost of robotaxis and regulatory challenges | Smart Cities Dive
The San Francisco team at Wired hopped into a traditional taxi and trailed a Waymo self-driving car for an in-depth story on the past and future of autonomous vehicles | Wired
Anna Zivarts, a skeptic of autonomous vehicles, rode a Waymo in Tempe, AZ, seeking flaws. Instead, she found freedom from the performance expected of riders by human drivers. Yet, she worries that autonomous vehicles could exacerbate car dependency, urban sprawl, and pedestrian danger. The blind community's struggles with ride-hailing services highlight broader accessibility issues. As autonomous vehicles evolve, society must balance their potential benefits with their potential costs | StreetsBlog USA
Uber launched UberXXL, an airport-only fare option offering larger vehicles for families with significant luggage, positioned between UberXL and Uber Black in pricing. Available at over 60 airports globally, it fills the gap before Uber Shuttle. Uber also expanded UberX Share and added a Flight Capture feature for prescheduled rides | The Verge
Nuro, the once delivery-focused AV startup, pivots to tech licensor. It's expanding tests to the Bay Area and Houston, pushing its tech to higher speeds, more complex scenarios, and even nighttime driverless runs. This shift, fueled by layoffs and strategic pivots, aims to showcase Nuro's tech to automakers and mobility providers, potentially reshaping the future of autonomous transportation | TechCrunch
Investment & Deals
Northvolt, a Swedish battery cell maker, is in financial trouble. The company, led by CEO Peter Carlsson, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and needs $1.2B to survive. Carlsson, a former Tesla executive, is stepping down. Northvolt is seeking partners to finance its restructuring and complete its German and Canadian battery plants. If no deal is reached, the company may liquidate | Reuters
Whizz, experiencing rapid growth, added $1 million to its annual recurring revenue (ARR) in October, a first for the company | Mike Peregudov via LinkedIn
Candela, a Swedish electric boat startup, raised $14M and sold its first US ferry to Lake Tahoe. Its hydrofoiling tech improves range and ride. The company's P-12 ferries are also deployed in Stockholm and have deals in NZ, Saudi Arabia, Berlin, and Tahoe. Candela recently built its 100th vessel and is scaling P-12 production. Other players like Zin and Navier are also active in the electric boat market. Candela's Series C extension brings its total funding to $40M | TechCrunch
Ample, a company focused on electric vehicle battery swapping, is expanding after piloting its technology in San Francisco, Madrid, and Japan. With $25 million from Mitsubishi Corp., Ample aims to scale operations, partnering with Free2Move (Stellantis), ENEOS, and others. Its modular batteries, made with South Korean cells and assembled in California, integrate seamlessly into EV production lines | TechCrunch
Cities & Policy
GM’s Cruise will pay a $500,000 fine and accept a deferred prosecution agreement after admitting to falsifying reports to NHTSA, obstructing an investigation into a 2023 crash where its robotaxi struck and dragged a pedestrian. The settlement requires Cruise to implement a Safety Compliance Program and cooperate with further investigations | The Verge
Episode 24 of the #CitiesFirst Podcast features Ross Douglas, a South African entrepreneur who shifted from filmmaking to sustainability. He created the FNB Joburg Art Fair and later founded Autonomy in Paris in 2015, an event focused on sustainable urban mobility. Now the world’s largest in its field, Autonomy gathers global companies and cities to tackle transport emissions. Ross also advises leaders like Nike, AXA, and Toyota on mobility innovation | The #Cities First Podcast
Colorado’s Transportation Vision 2035, unveiled by Governor Jared Polis, targets 81% more bicycle lanes (3,540 miles) by 2035, alongside 1,345 miles of new sidewalks and expanded transit services. The state plans to double non-auto trips to 19.2%, build 52% of new housing in transit-oriented areas, and align with its 2021 Greenhouse Gas Standard | ZAGDaily
The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, representing General Motors, Toyota, and Volkswagen, urged President-elect Trump to retain EV purchase tax credits and address vehicle emissions regulations, particularly in California. In a Nov. 12 letter, they also called for expedited self-driving car deployment, citing misaligned regulations increasing costs for consumers | Reuters
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