The Carbon 1: World's First E-Bike that Integrates AI | Sep 08th, 2023

Plus, Rome decreased the number of e-scooters, Tesla's Model 3 is introduced with new updates, and Whizz and DoorDash are collaborating to offer an e-bike subscription service.

Issue [#203] - Every week, we deliver analysis and curation of emerging mobility news - post a job listing here!

Micromobility

Electric bikes are a great way to have fun and avoid traffic in the US. But more e-bike riders also mean more attention. Among the popular e-bike brands, Super73 frequently comes under scrutiny, and a major reason might be the design of its e-bikes, i.e., they resemble motorcycles. Additionally, these e-bikes are popular among younger riders and an extensive and close-knit community is dedicated to the brand | Electrek

Several African countries have ambitious plans to replace millions of polluting motorcycles with electric ones. Motorcycles are very common in Africa, especially boda bodas or motorcycle taxis. They can easily navigate through crowded cities and rough roads. But they also emit a lot of greenhouse gasses. That could change in the next few years, thanks to government programs and local African e-motorcycle companies promoting green mobility |  Electrek

The U.S. is ignoring the best EVs for fighting climate change: shared e-bikes and scooters. These modes are perfect for short trips in cities and towns. However, according to a report from the North American Bikeshare and Scootershare Association, they get zero federal funding for on-street docking stations. Meanwhile, electric cars get $7.5 billion for charging stations | StreeBlogs USA

After Paris banned electric scooters for rent, Rome also took action. The city slashed the number of scooters from 14,500 to 9,000 and the rental companies from nine to three. The new regulations began on 1st September | Electrive

Officials are gravely concerned about safety issues related to e-bikes for kids and teens. They have found that certain models exceed legal speed limits and resemble motor vehicles that require licensing. Parents who are currently responsible for determining what their teens can ride and were once excited about e-bikes are now feeling less so due to recent accidents involving teens | The New York Times

Zag Daily sat down with Christina Moe Gjerde from Voi to discuss e-scooters in Oslo and the challenges faced due to micromobility regulations. She revealed that Oslo has the highest micromobility demand per capita in the world thanks to 50% of trips in Oslo linking e-scooters with public transport. She also believes that innovation should be encouraged by the regulatory framework, and the efforts should come from both the regulators and the operators | ZAGDaily

Product Launches & Updates

The “full self-driving” beta software from Tesla is now $12,000, i.e., decreased the price tag of $15,000 by 20% in North America. Tesla used to charge this a year ago for the advanced driver assistance system (ADAS). While the vehicles offer some “autopilot” features, Tesla charges an additional $6000 for “Enhanced Autopilot.” | TechCrunch

Do you love gadgets and e-bikes? Then you will be amazed by what Urtopia Bikes has to offer. They have just launched their new model, the Carbon 1, which has Artificial Intelligence (AI) built-in. The Carbon 1 is not your ordinary e-bike. It has a futuristic and retro design, boasting a feature where you can give it voice commands! | Bike Mag

Tesla’s Model 3 is here, with refreshing updates and improvements. The makeover includes a sleeker design that improves aerodynamics, sound insulation for a quieter cabin, and enhanced suspension and seating elements for a comfortable ride. All in all, the riding experience will be much more refined and fun! | InsideEVs

The Electra Loft Go! is one of the simplest and nicest e-bikes a beginner can aspire for. It’s a class 1 e-bike offering a maximum speed of 20 mph and a fully integrated 250-watt-hour battery. Moreover, it has a stepover and a step-through aluminum frame, a 250-watt Hyena rear hub motor, and offers a range of around 16 to 40 miles. But what makes it more charming is its simple exterior that doesn’t make it feel like an e-bike at all! | WIRED

At IAA Mobility in Munich, Volkswagen showed off the new GTI concept or ID.GTI. It’s a stunning remake of the 1976 original GTI, but with a twist. The ID.GTI is packed with cutting-edge technology and could be the next big thing in sporty hatchbacks. What’s more, it’s based on the ID.2all, a concept car that VW unveiled earlier this year with a price tag of 25,000 euros ($26,600) | The Verge

PeykBot’s new modular delivery robot allows it to transport a wider array of products than its traditional competitors. With a launch in both the U.K. and the Gulf states, keep an eye on its differentiated business model | OttOmate

Ridehailing, Carsharing & Delivery

In an exclusive interview with Big Think, Emil Michael, former Chief Business Officer at Uber, reveals the secret to the company’s success. From embracing failure to thinking globally, Michael shares his insights on innovation, leadership, and ambition | BigThink via Youtube

In an exciting turn of events, Whizz and DoorDash have teamed up to offer DoorDash delivery drivers the best e-bike subscription ever! Starting from September, they can enjoy exclusive pricing and a custom-made safety kit with their Whizz e-bike. The company claims its e-bikes are the best for delivery needs, with long-range batteries, UL-certified safety, and a full-service subscription | Linkedin

Uber shares have gained 3.7% since August 29, all thanks to the launch of an electric motorbike service in Kenya in August. The service, “Electric Boda,” aims to deploy 3,000 electric bikes in the next six months and help Uber reach its goal of a zero-emission platform by 2040. This expansion could also pave the way for the ride-hailing giant to enter a vast untapped market | Zacks

After analyzing the time and cost of various transportation options across London, Paris, and New York, Tom Nutley, Head of Business Development at Urban Sharing, discovered that public transport and micromobility solutions are more cost-effective and quicker alternatives in these cities. Ride-hailing services are also a promising sector. While these modes of transport promise efficiency, affordability, and sustainability, factors like weather and time of the day may influence how these modes fulfill urban commuter needs | ZAGDaily

After Uber and Lyft’s vehement opposition, Mayor Jacob Frey vetoed a plan to raise drivers’ pay and benefits, which the city council had passed earlier. The rideshare companies argued that the hike would make their services more expensive and less accessible, especially for the poor and the disabled. But what was more disappointing was that they pressured the mayor by threatening to reduce or stop their operations in the city | MinnPost

Tom Savage, the COO of Deliver Mates and one of the founding members of Amazon Logistics in the UK, believes that cost and speed can defeat carbon footprint, and his ultimate goal at Delivery Mates, a sustainable logistics provider, is to make supply chains more transparent. At Delivery Mates, sustainability is at the heart of supply chain logistic operations, and they are building tech that can educate people on making an informed choice while choosing the delivery method for their goods | ZAGDaily

Waymo, Uber ATG, and Argo AI veterans teaming up to launch Stack AV, autonomous trucking startup backed by Softbank | Post-Gazette

Investment & Deals

To propel its growth and maintain its position as a leader in the private electric vehicle rideshare market, Kite Mobility has successfully raised $3.5 million in capital. This funding infusion will enable the company to accelerate its expansion efforts | Newswire

Munich-based platform e-Mobilio assists drivers in transitioning to electric vehicles by providing personalized advice and comprehensive insights into EV ownership | Tech.eu

In a stock exchange filing, Hero MotoCorp disclosed its board of directors' approval for a fresh investment of up to $66.5 million in the rights issue of Ather Energy. Hero MotoCorp already holds a 33.1% stake in the Bengaluru-headquartered company, further solidifying its commitment to Ather Energy| TechCrunch

Lavoie acquires bankrupt e-bike maker VanMoof, providing new hope for the brand and its 200,000 customers who purchased high-tech e-bikes with proprietary components | The Verge

Closing a $100 million Series C round, Envisics, a UK-based holographic company, has secured funding for its in-car technology. The company specializes in projecting navigation, safety alerts, and other data onto the inside of a windscreen, offering innovative solutions for enhanced driving experiences | TechCrunch

Cities & Policy 

Expressing her concern, Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI) emphasizes the risk of the United States becoming overly dependent on China for electric vehicle (EV) materials. In addition, she cautions that her Republican colleagues are unlikely to offer support during the transition to electric vehicles | The Verge

The fight against congestion in New York City starts with curbside management. A program known as Smart Curbs, implemented in the Upper West Side, marks the beginning of a citywide initiative led by the Department of Transportation to revamp parking and street utilization across the city | Bloomberg

In the Maryland city of nearly 600,000 residents, Bird, the shared micromobility company, has lost its permit to operate scooters. This setback compounds the numerous business challenges faced by the company as it grapples with the loss of a key market in Baltimore | Smart Cities Dive

BlueGreen Alliance and Atlas Public Policy have collaborated to develop an innovative mapping tool that consolidates all investments in EV-related facilities across the United States. This interactive tool covers a wide range of areas, including battery manufacturing, automotive production, and parts manufacturing | Electrek

As LA and DC’s transit agencies boost subway service, will other cities follow along? New data shows that improved frequency, especially off-peak and on weekends, is the key to restoring urban vitality | The Curbivore

New Products, Features & Data Points

BMW has broadened its agreement with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to encompass the inclusion of autonomous vehicle data. The software will be seamlessly integrated into BMW's forthcoming 'Neue Klasse' platform, scheduled for launch in 2025 | The Verge

In August, the new car market experienced a significant growth of 24.4%, with 85,657 new vehicles registered, as reported by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). This surge of 16,799 units indicates that the sector is entering its second consecutive year of growth, although it remains 7.5% below pre-pandemic levels | Futurecar

UL certification, provided by Underwriters Laboratories, is widely applicable to various electrical products in our households. However, it is important to note that while UL certification is not mandatory for most products, it remains optional for certain items | Electric Bike Report

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