The Dragonfly: ''McLaren of micromobility vehicles'' | July 14th, 2023

Also, Volkswagen's ID Buzz electric microbus to be tested in the US, Flyer rolled out a full-suspension e-bike, the Goroc TR:X, and Domino's is collaborating with Uber to add its menus to Uber Eats an

Jul 14, 2023

Issue [#195] - Every week, we deliver analysis and curation of emerging mobility news - post a job listing here!

Micromobility

Rebate programs that support low-carbon transportation should be fostered, especially in areas where electric cars are already encouraged, despite the fact that they are far more polluting than e-bikes and pose a greater risk to other road users. At the same time, their potential is being stifled by restrictions on their availability, but Colorado is aiming to forgo any limits on the number of e-bike rebates available by next year / Bloomberg

Lithium-ion battery fires are increasing in number, with more than 500 cases recorded globally until May 2023. To look into the matter, Soteria Battery Innovation Group disassembled battery packs to understand their designs and potential causes behind these fires. Their survey results revealed that companies that make their own cells re-label them as cells of renowned companies and do not provide enough spacing between cells to prevent thermal runaway. In addition, there is also no insulation between the cells and no proof of cell-balancing as well / LinkedIn

Electric scooters are considered a potentially dangerous source of urban commuting, often seen obstructing pedestrian areas, making e-scooter rental businesses less profitable. Yet Wayne Ting, who joined Lime as the CEO during the pandemic, led the e-scooter rental company to sustainability and profitability even in difficult times. Now, he is looking into the future and is keen on growing Lime further / Fast Company

VanMoof was well on its way to becoming a sustainable and healthier e-bike brand on the market, thanks to its sleek e-bikes with futuristic designs, yet recent headwinds encountered by the company say otherwise of its progress. According to multiple sources contacted by TechCrunch, the company is grappling to stay afloat financially, with several high officials, including the CEO, a co-founder, and the president stepping down from their executive roles. The company has also stopped taking orders for the time being / TechCrunch

E-bikes are taking off as safer, more efficient, and more sustainable urban mobility options. At the same time, concerns are being raised due to the rising number of e-bike lithium-ion battery fires causing deaths and injuries. Experts declared cheap e-bikes and low-quality batteries as the main reason behind these incidents. So, how can you stay safe, and what safety practices should you follow? While there are several things to consider, the most important one is to always buy an e-bike with a 'UL' mark on it, meaning it is tested for safety / TechCrunch

Product Launches & Updates

Autonomous versions of Volkswagen's ID Buzz electric microbus will be the first to be tested in the US, Volkswagen stated. Beginning later in July, the new fleet will be tested on Austin, Texas's public roads. While the company has been testing its autonomous ID Buzz in Germany, it aims for a commercial launch of the robotaxi service in the US in 2026. The news comes months after VW pulled funding for Argo AI / The Verge

"Driving the Dragonfly is not just about getting from A to B but making the journey exciting too," says D-Fly CEO and Founder Jez Williman. Dragonfly, D-Fly's first flagship Electric Adventure Sport Vehicle, boasts premium features, including four wheels for stability, three forward gears, one reverse gear, a patented 3D full-tilt steering system, a three-dimensional navigation system, and many more. In addition, all of its components can be replaced and fixed, distinguishing it as more reliable than other market options / ZAGDaily

Rattan's Pathfinder ST electric bike is well on its way to becoming a trendsetter for other e-bikes in the market. Featuring a powerful battery with a range of up to 65 km, a payload capacity of 400 lbs, and a top speed of 28 mph, it makes the commuting experience more fun and practical than ever! Moreover, its 180mm front and 180mm rear hydraulic brakes offer quick and efficient stopping, increasing the safety of the e-bike / Geeky Gadgets

Flyer, a Swiss bicycle manufacturer, has added the Goroc TR:X, a full-suspension e-bike, to its family of electric bikes. The new Flyer Goroc TR:X carries the best features of a classic mountain bike and an urban commuter. With Pinion's brand new Motor Gearbox Unit (MGU), an output of 250 watts, 85 Newton-meters torque rating, full-coverage fenders, and a slim luggage rack, it is ideal for off-road adventures as well as daily commuting / InsideEVs

Ridehailing, Carsharing & Delivery

According to a Bloomberg report on Monday, 10th July, Uber Technologies' Chief Financial Officer Nelson Chai revealed his intention to resign from his current post. The report also stated that he informed Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi of his plans, but the exact time of his leaving is still under wraps. Nelson Chai started as finance chief at Uber in 2018 and was part of many remarkable deals over the years / Reuters

Domino's, the world's largest pizza company, has revealed that it is collaborating with Uber to list its menus on its Uber Eats and Postmates delivery apps in the US. Previously absent from the third-party delivery apps in the US, the company expects to expand its reach to potential customers through this development, with orders still delivered by uniformed Domino's drivers / The Verge

More analysis from Harry Campbell (The Rideshare Guy) - Linkedin

Taxi, Uber, and Lyft drivers have joined forces against robotaxis. They're worried that the added competition could mean human drivers could further shrink earnings. The California Public Utilities Commission delayed a vote that would have allowed autonomous vehicle companies unlimited expansion in San Francisco / The San Francisco Standard

The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) investigated after more than three dozen complaints from rideshare drivers were received, including workers' rights complaints from three Lyft drivers, revealing that Lyft was underpaying its drivers and about 15,271 drivers were affected. These complaints were filed in the six months since the new protection laws took effect / NBC

Seattle-based startup Solo launched a pay guarantee program for gig workers in California and New York City. The app predicts hourly earnings for various jobs and allows workers to guarantee their income. If predicted earnings fall short, Solo pays the difference / Los Angeles Time

Cruise and Waymo are hoping for the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to vote in favor of offering 24/7 paid ride-hailing service around San Francisco. At the same time, public and city officials persistently express their disapproval through protests and pleas over the robotaxis. Their dissent is based on several instances where autonomous taxis stopped traffic, blocked buses, or obstructed emergency vehicles / The Verge

Investment & Deals

Rocsys invests €33 million to deliver autonomous charging to EV charging stations. The cash will be used to extend the startup's presence in the United States and Europe / Tech.eu

Blackfinch Ventures has spearheaded a funding round of £2.3 million for RideTandem, a mobility-as-a-service startup that offers eco-friendly transportation options to the masses / Just Entrepreneurs

Go Eve, an electric vehicle charging startup based in Dublin has secured €3.5 million in funding to expand its production capacity and implement its DockChain system across various locations during the summer / Tech.eu

Hoop Carpool, a business carpool platform based in Madrid, has secured a €1.2 million investment to strengthen its footprint in Spain and extend its footprint to Portugal, Mexico, and Colombia / TechNews

Rad Power Bikes is leaving Europe shortly after launching an office in the Netherlands to capitalize on the region's bike-friendly market / The Verge

Fisker Automotive, based in California, intends to sell $340 million in convertible debt. The company anticipates net proceeds of $296.7 million, with the lower figure reflecting a 12% issue discount and additional costs / TechCrunch

Cities & Policy

The DOT is offering $3.35 billion in grants to reconnect communities, increase neighborhood access, and promote equity / SmartCitiesDive

Urban planner Veronica Davis highlights the challenges of creating transportation systems that work for all communities / Bloomberg

After plans for a distinctive glass structure in the Austin, Texas region emerged under Tesla's confidential 'Project 42', an internal investigation was initiated due to concerns surrounding its proposed use as a personal home for Elon Musk / The Wall Street Journal

This summer, Denver is lowering fares across the board. Boston is testing three zero-fare public bus routes, and New York City is planning to test five lines with free buses / CNN Business

New Products, Features, and Data Points

Bolivia features only one electric car producer; thus, it is difficult to compare it to larger competitors. But that's probably by design because Quantum Motors, based in La Paz, makes small electric cars with only three seats / Electrek

The latest update to the My Porsche app will allow car owners to conveniently access various vehicle functions, such as climate controls and interior lighting settings, directly from the CarPlay interface / The Verge

Following suit with other automakers, Mercedes-Benz has now decided to adopt Tesla's North American Charging Standard (NACS). As of 2024, Mercedes EVs will be able to utilize Tesla's Supercharger network in North America / TechCrunch

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