TIER and Segway Boost Paris Olympics with 1M E-Bike Rides | September 13th , 2024
TIER and Segway Boost Paris Olympics with 1M E-Bike Rides | September 13th , 2024
TIER and Segway hit 1M e-bike rides at the Paris Olympics, Jeep preps for an EV launch, and Uber teams with Waymo for autonomous ride-hailing.
Issue [#256] - Every week, we deliver analysis and curation of emerging mobility news - post a job listing here!
Micromobility
TIER-Dott and Segway deployed 15,000 e-bikes for the Paris Olympics (July 26–Sept 8, 2024), achieving over 1M rides—up 70% from 2023. Segway's 10,000 free rides, 117,000 battery swaps, and real-time repairs helped sustain demand. 90% positive feedback followed daily coordination with Paris to rebalance 4,500 bikes and adapt zones. The fleet, including 5,000 extra bikes, extended post-Games to France and Copenhagen | ZAGDaily
London e-bike operator Forest, sacrificing £11 million, gives users 52 million free minutes in three years. This affordability, alongside free minutes from watching ads and a unique subscription, fuels user growth, surpassing one million. August 2024 sees 200% more trips and 130% more active users than a year prior. Despite the financial hit, Forest remains committed to affordable zero-emission travel, distinguishing itself in London's booming shared e-bike market | ZAGDaily
Idaho stop laws boost cyclist safety, with studies showing reduced car-bike crashes and improved intersection interactions. Cyclists favor these laws, and educating drivers enhances safety. While some studies find no change in overall crashes, accident severity decreases. The National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration confirms no increased risk for cyclists or pedestrians. Intersections, designed for cars, endanger cyclists. Idaho stop laws, backed by evidence, promote safer cycling and sustainable transportation | Electrek
E-bike sales skyrocketed from 250,000 to over a million between 2018 and 2022, driving a sharp rise in injuries. A 2024 JAMA study shows e-bike injuries doubled annually, while e-scooter injuries grew 45% yearly. ER visits spiked, with 3 million incidents over six years, highlighting the risks of micromobility's rapid growth | Harvard
Transit app now prioritizes safe bike routes, reflecting a pandemic-fueled cycling boom. Users can customize routes and avoid busy roads. The app has had biking features since 2017 but now offers more options. Safety is a key concern for cyclists, and the company plans to continue improving the app based on user feedback | Streets Blog USA
Product Launches & Updates
The USPS has rolled out its new electric delivery vehicles (NGDVs) in Atlanta, Georgia. Drivers love them. The NGDVs are more efficient, comfortable, and safe than the outdated Grumman LLVs. The USPS is committed to electrifying its entire fleet by 2026. This is a major step in the USPS's efforts to modernize its operations and reduce its environmental impact | Electrek
Jeep’s electric Wagoneer S, spotted undisguised, launches this fall at $71,995. Unveiled in May, it features a 100 kWh battery, 300+ mile range, 600 hp, and 0-60 mph in 3.4 seconds. CEO Filosa demands perfect quality before launch. Jeep aims to reverse a five-year US sales slump, with upcoming models including the Recon, midsize SUV, and sub-$25,000 Renegade EV | Electrek
Jeep’s 2024 Wagoneer S, its first U.S. EV, arrives fall 2024—if CEO Antonio Filosa deems its quality "perfect." Built on Stellantis’ STLA Large platform, it offers 600 hp, 617 lb-ft torque, 0-60 mph in 3.4 seconds, and a projected 300-mile range. The $71,995 Launch Edition leads, with more versions for 2025 | Green Car Reports
Japan gets the Honda GB350C on October 10th. It's a retro-styled motorcycle with a 348cc single-cylinder engine and two color options: Puko Blue and Gunmetal Black Metallic. The suggested retail price is ¥ 668,800 | RideApart
Ridehailing, Carsharing, & Delivery
Big news for rideshare drivers! Harry Campbell, better known as The Rideshare Guy, is offering a $1,000 discount on new Tesla purchases through his referral code. With Uber’s recent integration of Tesla’s API for seamless navigation and the Tesla Model Y starting at just $30,000, this is a perfect opportunity for drivers looking to upgrade their vehicle. Campbell, a longtime Tesla owner, emphasizes the benefits for drivers in states with high gas prices or access to solar power | LinkedIn via Harry Campbell
Nuro, pivots to licensing its autonomous tech to automakers and mobility firms, abandoning its delivery bots | TechCrunch
Tesla's Robotaxi prototype, spotted at Warner Bros., sports a Cybertruck-like taillight and a potential LiDAR bump. This suggests a shift in Tesla's stance on LiDAR, previously deemed unnecessary for autonomous driving. The unveiling on October 10th will reveal more about Tesla's self-driving ambitions | Electrek
Uber Freight, managing $20 billion in Freight Under Management and 24 million loads, unveiled major updates at Deliver, including integrating Uber Direct for same-day delivery and enhancing its modular TMS. New AI-powered tools like Insights AI and expanded procurement options via Uber Freight Exchange emphasize efficiency. A collaborative Design Partner Program shaped these innovations with nearly 40 partners | Globe Newswire
Uber and Waymo expand their partnership to bring autonomous ride-hailing to Austin and Atlanta in early 2025. Riders may be matched with Waymo's all-electric Jaguar I-PACE vehicles. Uber manages the fleet, while Waymo oversees the autonomous driving technology. This expansion builds on their successful collaboration in Phoenix and aims to make autonomous driving more accessible to the public | BusinessWire
Investment & Deals
Faraday Future, having delivered 13 cars in 10 years, raised CEO Matthias Aydt’s salary to $700K and founder Jia Yueting’s to $680K, alongside bonuses and stock grants. Despite SEC probes, lawsuits, layoffs, near-eviction, and just $793K cash, they secured $22.5M in financing. Their full raises depend on restoring employee salaries and stock purchases | TechCrunch
Ather Energy, an Indian electric scooter maker backed by Hero MotoCorp and the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund, seeks $530 million in an IPO valuing it at $1.5-$2 billion. The company plans to expand manufacturing, repay debt, and invest in research and development. The IPO comes amid rising demand for electric vehicles in India, driven by government incentives and rising fuel prices | TechCrunch
Thunder Power Holdings, which went public via SPAC in June, seeks to raise $100 million amid CEO Wellen Sham’s indictment in Taiwan for securities violations linked to Electric Power Technology. Despite existing since 2015, Thunder Power hasn’t produced any EVs, has lost $35 million, holds $921,349 in cash, and faces stock sale restrictions below $1 | TechCrunch
British e-scooter maker Pure Electric, founded by Adam Norris in 2018, aims to raise £2 million on Crowdcube to fuel growth after selling 285,000 scooters | ZAGDaily
Wingbits, a Stockholm startup, raised $3.5M led by Borderless Capital and Tribe Capital, with support from Antler. The funds will expand its engineering team, featuring talent from Klarna, Spotify, and Volvo, and boost sales | Tech.eu
DC Connected, a German AI vehicle diagnostics platform, raised €2.1M. Investors include Borusan Ventures, a Turkish industrial group's venture capital arm | Tech.eu
Specter, a Belgian speed pedelec manufacturer, raised €2 million from Fundracer Capital, advised by cycling veterans René Wiertz, Andy Ording, and Gérard Vroomen | Tech.eu
Cities & Policy
After 15 years of rising pedestrian fatalities—now at a 40-year peak—NHTSA and the EPA are stepping in to address oversized vehicles, particularly SUVs and trucks. NHTSA’s proposed crash tests focus on reducing pedestrian risks, aligning with global safety standards | Electrek
Cycling UK's McMonagle calls for a cycling revolution. As the UK government prepares for the Autumn Budget, McMonagle urges for a significant investment in cycling infrastructure. She argues that not only does cycling improve health and the environment, but it also boosts local economies. Safety is paramount, and McMonagle advocates for segregated cycle lanes to encourage more people to bike. The recent shift in government rhetoric offers hope for a brighter future for cyclists, but sustained public support remains crucial | ZAGDaily
Senator Ted Cruz is blocking bipartisan efforts to let the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) regulate lithium-ion battery safety, linking it to his broader opposition to gas stove regulations. Although e-bike battery fires are rare, low-quality imports remain a hazard. While cities like New York enforce safety certifications, the U.S. lags behind China’s national standards, leaving critical gaps in federal regulations amid rising e-bike use | Electrek
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