Porsche's Taycan Turbo GT - Where Speed Meets Innovation | March 15th, 2024

Plus, Gazelle Bikes unveiled its Gazelle Eclipse trekking model, Piaggio launched an electric robotic cart Kilo, and DoorDash introduced SafeChat+ to combat worker harassment and increase safety.

Issue [#230] - Every week, we deliver analysis and curation of emerging mobility news - post a job listing here!

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Micromobility

VanMoof expands its e-bike service network to over 50 locations across seven countries, shifting to a sustainable maintenance model by equipping local workshops with tools and parts. Co-CEO Eliott Wertheimer emphasizes their commitment to keeping riders on the road and hints at upcoming product sales, focusing initially on core markets before expanding globally | VanMoof

Los Angeles could learn from neighboring cities like Long Beach, Glendale, and Burbank in implementing bike and bus improvements alongside new development projects, instead of continuing the practice of widening streets. While LA's current approach adds car lanes and parking with new developments, other cities are utilizing these opportunities to enhance bike and bus infrastructure, contributing to safer and more sustainable streets | StreetsBlog ULA

Norwegian micromobility leader Ryde, under CEO Tobias Balchen's guidance, prioritizes "smart growth," strategically expanding in select cities like Oslo, Trondheim, Bergen, and Stavanger. Despite legal battles and fierce competition, Ryde thrives, emphasizing service quality and efficiency over rapid expansion, setting itself apart in the competitive micromobility landscape. As Balchen asserts, "We aim to be the leading micromobility operator in Europe," highlighting the company's ambitious vision for the future | ZAGDaily

Businesses grapple with the impact of bike lanes, fearing loss of parking spaces. Research spanning decades suggests bike-friendly infrastructure benefits businesses. Joseph Poirier empathizes, stating, “It’s your whole life... It makes sense.” Studies in Seattle, NYC, SF, and Portland show bike lanes correlate with increased sales and employment, signaling a shift in urban planning | Business Insider

Product Launches & Updates

Gazelle Bikes introduces its Gazelle Eclipse trekking model to the US market, featuring a Bosch-powered Class 3 e-bike with the new Bosch Smart System, a first for the US. Combining Dutch-inspired design with adventure-ready features, the Eclipse offers powerful performance, long-range capabilities, and intelligent pedal assist modes, making it ideal for ambitious adventurers seeking both style and functionality | Electrek

Porsche unveils the Taycan Turbo GT and Turbo GT with Weissach package, marking the debut of performance-oriented electric vehicles by Porsche's GT division. These models offer over 1000 hp, enabled by advanced driving dynamics and lightweight construction. Featuring an innovative Attack Mode for added power bursts and record-breaking lap times on tracks like Laguna Seca and the Nürburgring, these EVs redefine high-performance electric driving | Telematics News

Cadillac teases its latest concept, the all-electric V-Series luxury performance vehicle named "Opulent Velocity," hinting at a bold new direction for the brand's electric offerings. While details on production and specs remain undisclosed, the teaser video showcases a striking design and notably, a powerful engine sound, challenging the notion of silent EVs | The Verge

Micro introduces the Microlino Lite, a moped-licensed electric quadricycle showcased at the Geneva Motor Show. With a top speed of 45 km/h and a range of 100 km extendable to 180 km, it caters to younger drivers. Co-founder Merlin Ouboter emphasizes its unmatched driving experience and accessibility without a driver's license | ZAGDaily

Piaggio launches Kilo, an electric robotic cart, at the Modex trade show in Atlanta, designed to augment workforce safety. CEO Greg Lynn emphasizes its collaborative nature, but concerns linger regarding job displacement. Nevertheless, Kilo boasts advanced features like "smart follow" technology and autonomous capabilities, promising enhanced productivity in various industries | Electrek

Ridehailing, Carsharing & Delivery

Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, and Instacart are ramping up ad placements within their apps to capitalize on higher-margin advertising revenue amid their push for profitability. While some customers find the ads intrusive, these platforms strategically balance ad exposure with user experience to avoid alienating customers. As they leverage user data to personalize ads and experiment with different formats, the companies are navigating consumer preferences and aiming to provide value-added promotions without compromising user satisfaction | The Washington Street Journal

Uber's CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi, envisions a greener, more affordable, and more competitive future for the company, aiming to challenge Amazon's rapid delivery dominance. With profitability achieved, Uber is prioritizing sustainability goals, investing in EV initiatives, and introducing emission tracking features. Khosrowshahi also emphasizes affordability through shared rides and electric scooters, alongside expanding Uber Eats into a comprehensive local logistics platform, ultimately aiming to offer same-day delivery from every local merchant | TechCrunch

Uber revolutionized New York City's transportation scene in May 2022 with luxury electric rideshare, featuring premium EVs like Tesla, Polestar, and Mustang Mach-E. New eco-friendly features aim to reduce emissions, supporting the company's ambitious goal of becoming a "zero-emissions platform" by 2030. CEO Dara Khosrowshahi urges collective action for a greener future | The Verge

Minneapolis confronts Lyft and Uber as the City Council votes on wage hikes for ride-hailing drivers, with Lyft warning of service cessation if the measure passes on May 1. Despite opposition, council members proceed, emphasizing fair compensation for drivers. The debate mirrors past conflicts in cities like New York and Austin, showcasing the ongoing struggle between gig economy giants and local regulations | Fortune

Investment & Deals

Shared mobility platform Joyride has raised $5.2 million in its Series A funding round led by Yamaha Motors. Joyride simplifies fleet management and IoT connectivity, operating in over 250 global markets. The funding will be used to develop technology and promote low-emission vehicle adoption | ZAGDaily

Necture, a company specializing in EV fleet management, has successfully raised €7 million in its Series A funding round. Their predictive SaaS-based platform equips fleet managers with vehicle-specific recommendations for operational tasks like rebalancing and charging. The funding will be used to further optimize Necture's fleet management solutions | Tech.eu

Bristol's Anaphite secures £1.6M, including a £685k grant from Investor Partnerships Future Economy program and £880k from investors like Elbow Beach Capital. Their chemistry-based approach aims at sustainable, faster charging, and lower-cost EV batteries. The unique 'Dry Coating Precursor powders' process reduces battery production costs by 40%, facilitating wider EV adoption. Innovate UK's grant will expedite Anaphite's technology development, endorsed by industry experts for its potential impact | Tech.eu

Surf Beyond acquires U.S. operator Superpedestrian to form a global micromobility leader. Despite Superpedestrian's U.S. closure, Surf Beyond retains 80% of its staff for European operations. With 30,000 e-scooters, Surf Beyond expands from Norway to nine markets, focusing on safety and responsible integration. Industry experts question cultural fit and growth targets but highlight Surf's asset gain. Surf aims for a £15-£18 million turnover in 2024 | ZAGDaily

Applied Intuition, an autonomous vehicle software firm, secures $250M at a $6B valuation. Led by Lux Capital, Elad Gil, and Porsche Investments, the Series E round reflects investor enthusiasm for AI. The capital will fuel ambitious projects without compromising company culture. Applied Intuition's software aids AV development for top automakers and defense entities, promising exponential advancement in next-gen vehicles with AI integration | TechCrunch

NIO and CATL have entered into a mutually beneficial partnership to jointly develop long-life batteries for EVs and swap stations. The collaboration between the Chinese EV automaker and battery giant aims to advance research and development efforts to support future NIO EV models and enhance battery swap infrastructure | Electrek

European micromobility company Voi secures $25M funding to expand e-bike and e-scooter fleet. Existing shareholders, founders, and employees participate in the funding round | PhocusWire

Cities & Policy

US Sun Belt metro areas struggle with climate-friendly transportation, lacking robust transit. Coastal cities like Silicon Valley excel due to better transit options. San Jose leads despite transit ranking, with low vehicle miles traveled and high EV penetration. New York City excels in pedestrian and biking activity. Innovations in biking seen in San Francisco, Sacramento, San Jose, and San Diego. Southern cities like El Paso lag due to less hospitable climates for biking | Bloomberg

Cities increasingly adopt automated traffic enforcement, with speed cameras rising to 222 communities. Federal funding shift allows broader use beyond school zones, aiming to enhance safety. Studies show speed cameras can significantly reduce speeding and related accidents. Red light camera deployment declines, yet some cities like Philadelphia expand usage. Automated enforcement also targets bus and bike lanes, aiming to improve traffic flow and safety. Despite effectiveness, challenges remain in public perception and policy acceptance | Smart Cities Dive

Cities globally adopt measures to discourage SUVs, citing environmental impact and safety concerns. Paris triples parking fees for heavy vehicles, Lyon and Grenoble consider similar actions. Research shows larger vehicles pose greater risks to pedestrians and cyclists. Some US cities like Washington D.C. and New York propose increased registration fees for heavier vehicles to combat climate change and improve road safety. Experts advocate for policies to incentivize smaller, more sustainable transportation choices | Reasons to be Cheerful

A $205 billion high-speed rail Bill has been published by Democrat lawmakers, emphasizing its goal of transitioning passenger transit from aviation to rail in the United States | Railway Technology

Paris has implemented higher parking charges for SUVs, leading other cities like London to consider similar measures. This move comes as part of a growing trend in European cities to target larger, more polluting vehicles | CNBC

In response to the rising number of traffic fatalities, Los Angeles has chosen to invest in bus, bike, and pedestrian enhancements. Measure HLA requires the implementation of bike- and bus-only lanes and improvements to sidewalks | Bloomberg

New Products, Features, and Data Points

Volvo partners with Breathe Battery Technologies to enhance EV charging speeds by up to 30%. Breathe's real-time battery management system promises faster charging without hardware modifications. Developed from Imperial College, the system dynamically adjusts charging based on real-time data, potentially revolutionizing EV charging efficiency. Volvo aims to address consumer concerns with electric cars, positioning itself as an early adopter of cutting-edge technology in the automotive industry | ArsTechnica

DoorDash introduces SafeChat+ to combat worker harassment and enhance safety. AI analyzes conversations, empowering Dashers to cancel orders without rating repercussions and potentially retain part of the pay | Modern Delivery

A recent evaluation by a leading auto safety group found that only one out of 14 partially automated systems passed the test. While driverless cars face setbacks, partially automated systems like Tesla's Full Self-Driving and GM's Super Cruise are becoming more prominent. However, these systems present their own set of challenges | The Verge

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