NYC Advances Urban Delivery: Introduces E-Cargo Bikes for Safer, Greener Freight Solutions | May 3rd, 2024

Gogoro launches the Pulse, an advanced electric scooter with fast battery swapping, and Pedego introduces three unique e-bikes with a five-year warranty.

Issue [#237] - Every week, we deliver analysis and curation of emerging mobility news - post a job listing here!

Micromobility

E-bikes are reshaping urban travel by offering a swift, eco-friendly alternative to cars for city commutes. These electric bicycles combine traditional biking with motor assistance, making them suitable for longer distances and hilly terrains. They help reduce traffic congestion, lower pollution, and promote physical activity. Cities are responding by enhancing bike lanes and parking facilities, increasing both the safety and convenience of e-bikes. These developments support broader use and integrate e-bikes into daily urban transportation solutions effectively. | BBN Times

New York City is embracing commercial e-cargo bikes to make urban deliveries safer, greener, and less congested. The city has set new regulations for these bikes, including speed limits and parking rules, and is establishing microhubs for more efficient freight handling. This shift follows a successful pilot that significantly reduced CO2 emissions. With 51% of city freight potentially replaceable by cargo bikes, NYC’s move could reshape urban delivery, making it faster and more sustainable | ZAGDaily

Bike share insurance is notably expensive because of the high risk of bodily injury claims and costly settlements. In California, bike shares spend about 15% of their budget on insurance, far higher than other sectors. The high costs are also driven by liability issues, as cities often shift most risk to operators, even for public land issues like potholes. Solutions include privatizing parking to reduce public liabilities and forming Risk Retention Groups to pool risks and reduce costs | ZAGDaily

Product Launches & Updates

Polestar has teamed up with StoreDot to demonstrate a groundbreaking fast-charging technology for electric vehicles. Their test showed a Polestar 5 prototype charging from 10% to 80% in just 10 minutes, using a new battery technology capable of handling a consistent increase in charge speed without the need for specialized cooling systems. This advancement addresses major concerns like charging anxiety and could match the refueling time of traditional cars, significantly enhancing the EV driving experience | Polestar

Gogoro has launched the Pulse, a high-performance electric scooter that brings innovative tech to the two-wheeler market. With a 10.25-inch touch display, Snapdragon digital chassis, and advanced traction control, the Pulse integrates features usually seen in luxury cars. It offers various ride modes, turn-by-turn GPS, and utilizes Gogoro's efficient battery-swapping system. The scooter excels in power with a launch mode that simulates extreme acceleration, demonstrating both technological sophistication and high performance | Electrek

Pedego has launched three new e-bikes: Moto, Cargo, and Trike. These bikes offer innovative features, advanced technology, and unique frame styles. With industry-leading safety, increased range, and customization options, Pedego aims to provide a superior riding experience. The Moto is a moped-style e-bike with fat tires and a 10-speed transmission. The Cargo is a longtail cargo e-bike with wooden side panels and fold-up running boards. The Trike is a stable three-wheeler with a large cargo space. Pedego emphasizes its added value, including a 5-year warranty and excellent customer service | Electrek

Acura's 2025 ZDX all-electric SUV comes in two trims: the A-Spec with 350 horsepower and 313 miles range, and the Type S with 499 horsepower but a shorter 278-mile range due to its higher power. Despite high expectations for the performance-focused Type S, it falls short in delivering driving joy, feeling hefty and less engaging on turns. Its design blends SUV and wagon elements, offering a spacious and well-equipped interior with advanced tech integrations like Google-based infotainment. ZDX pricing is steep, starting at $74,850 for the Type S, challenging its value proposition against less costly competitors | TechCrunch

Ridehailing, Carsharing & Delivery

Uber faces a lawsuit for $312 million from over 10,800 London black cab drivers, alleging illegal operations and deceit in obtaining its London license. The drivers claim Uber intended to undercut their business, a charge Uber denies as "unfounded." The company, which has faced previous license suspensions by London's Transport for London due to safety and regulation concerns, argues it operates lawfully. This legal challenge underscores ongoing tensions and safety issues within the ride hailing sector | PYMNTS

Hovr, a new Canadian ride-hailing startup, aims to disrupt the industry by allowing drivers to keep 100% of their fares. Unlike Uber and Lyft, Hovr will charge drivers a $20 monthly membership fee instead of taking a percentage from each ride. This model has already attracted 5,000 drivers and 25,000 potential customers. Hovr's transparent pricing and fair pay approach represent a significant shift in the ride-hailing market, focusing on better economic stability for drivers. | CBC

Rideshare drivers report a surprisingly low tipping rate, with data showing that only 28% of Uber and Lyft trips include tips, which significantly impacts their earnings. Given the high operational costs like vehicle maintenance and fuel, these tips are crucial for their financial stability. Despite the importance of tipping in maintaining a reasonable income for drivers, many customers overlook this due to the transient nature of their interaction with drivers. The industry's shift towards recognizing tipping, driven by advocacy from groups like Rideshare Drivers United, aims to enhance drivers' earnings and overall job sustainability | HuffPost

Ola, an Indian ride-hailing company, is cutting 180 jobs and has dismissed its CEO, Hemant Bakshi, as part of a restructuring aimed at boosting profitability. The company recently halted operations in the U.K., Australia, and New Zealand. This move is in preparation for Ola's upcoming IPO and reflects a broader strategy to enhance efficiency and focus on technology-driven growth, as stated by founder Bhavish Aggarwal in an email to employees | TechCrunch 

Investment & Deals

Hyundai invests $1 billion in self-driving startup Motional, securing an 85% stake. Aptiv reduces its share from 50% to 15%. Amid industry uncertainty, Motional tests autonomous vehicles in five cities, aiming to launch a robotaxi service in 2024 | TechCrunch

In its first year, the Beryl-Enterprise Car Club partnership has successfully promoted shared vehicle use, reducing carbon emissions and congestion. Nearly 1,000 users have embraced this sustainable transport alternative, making over 35,000 journeys and boosting physical activity levels | ZAGDaily

DYU Intelligent Mobility, a Shenzhen-based e-bike manufacturer, has secured CNY 100 million in Series A funding. The company, which ships 500,000 units globally, plans to use the funds for expansion and product development. Majority of its sales come from brick-and-mortar stores | Electric Bike Report

X Shore, a Swedish electric boat firm, has secured €8.5 million in funding, despite recent setbacks. The funds will bolster product development, sales strategies, and future designs, reinforcing the company’s commitment to sustainable boating | Tech.eu

Rivian, the California-based EV startup, has secured $827 million in state incentives for its Illinois factory expansion. The funding bolsters production of the upcoming R2 SUV, a crucial step towards Rivian’s financial sustainability. Despite market challenges, Rivian aims to leverage vehicle sales for profitability | InsideEVs

Cities & Policy

Seattle’s “Fare Share” and “Pay Up” ordinances, pioneering gig economy regulation, ensure minimum wage and fair deactivation for app-based workers. The laws, crafted by the Office of Labor Standards, extend employee rights to gig workers, fostering innovation and valuing all labor | The Curbivore

In a landmark move, the US Department of Transportation mandates automatic emergency braking (AEB) in all light-duty vehicles by 2029. The enhanced AEB systems, capable of high-speed stops and pedestrian detection, aim to curb traffic fatalities and injuries, amidst a slight dip in traffic-related deaths | The Verge

The US Treasury Department is set to finalize rules limiting a tax credit for electric car buyers. The new rules restrict tax breaks for vehicles with battery components or critical minerals from “foreign entities of concern”. This has led to a reduction in the number of vehicle models eligible for the tax credit. The move is part of an effort to finalize regulations before the November election | Bloomberg

Ford’s BlueCruise is under federal investigation following two fatal crashes. The probe intensifies scrutiny on driver-assistance systems, despite their touted safety features. This comes on the heels of a recently concluded investigation into Tesla’s Autopilot, highlighting potential systemic issues in advanced driver-assistance technology | TechCrunch

In a bipartisan move, U.S. Senators Ed Markey and Ted Cruz introduced the “AM for Every Vehicle Act,” mandating AM radio in all vehicles. The bill counters the trend of automakers, especially electric vehicle manufacturers, omitting AM radio due to electromagnetic interference, despite its crucial role in broadcasting emergency alerts | The Verge

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