Waymo Offers $3 Transit Credit to Boost Green Travel and Public Transit Connections | October 18th , 2024
Uber may acquire Expedia for $20 billion, while Tesla's robotaxi plans face regulatory hurdles and Serve Robotics launches improved delivery robots.
Issue [#261] - Every week, we deliver analysis and curation of emerging mobility news - post a job listing here!
Attention Movements readers, Micromobility America, the world’s premier trade show for small EVs, is coming to Southern California (Costa Mesa) on November 14-15 for two immersive days of cutting-edge insights, executive networking, valuable commercial opportunities, and of course, opportunities to test ride all the coolest new electric bikes, scooters, boards, buggies, and more. If you're a past advertising partner of Movements, reach out for a complimentary MMA ticket! Not a partner yet, check out our media kit here.
The event will feature over 50 speakers from different areas of the alternative transportation universe, including micromobility company founders, journalists covering the industry, politicians and policymakers, investors, and more. Over 500+ companies are expected to join the event, taking part in presentations, product launches, award shows, test rides, networking events, and more.
Don't miss your chance to meet and do business with a veritable who’s who of industry titans. Register now.
Micromobility
FUELL Inc., an electric bike and motorcycle startup founded by Erik Buell, has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. The company, known for its innovative urban mobility solutions, failed to deliver its Flluid-2 and Flluid-3 e-bikes after raising over $1.5M in crowdfunding. With a deadline for creditor claims set for December 2024, customers are left without their bikes. The company hopes to liquidate assets and possibly restart under new ownership | Electrek
Qucit’s fleet optimization software helps micromobility operators streamline tasks, cutting labor costs and boosting efficiency. By algorithmically predicting bike demand, the platform optimizes operations such as rebalancing and battery swaps. Partners like Indego have reduced manual tasks and restructured labor, increasing profitability. Serving over 100,000 bikes globally, Qucit’s adaptable system ensures optimal bike availability, enhancing user experience while minimizing operational costs and maximizing revenue for operators | ZAG Daily
Citroën celebrates the Ami's 4th anniversary by unveiling new designs, including the Buggy Vision concept, at the Paris Motor Show. The Ami, known for its quirky design and electric efficiency, has sold over 65,000 units since 2020. The next-generation Ami, launching in 2025, brings fresh updates while maintaining its playful appeal. The Buggy Vision showcases an adventurous, open-air design, perfect for outdoor fun, reinforcing Ami’s position as a leader in micromobility | Automotive World
Product Launches & Updates
KTM’s 2025 Freeride E electric dirt bike offers increased power, range, and street-legal status. With a top speed of 60 mph, the bike features a new steel frame, 5.5 kWh battery, and three riding modes for optimized performance. It also boasts a lightweight design, WP adjustable suspension, and improved battery life, lasting up to 3 hours of hard riding. Production starts in December, with showroom availability in January | Bike Exif
Ferrari has revealed its F80 supercar, priced at €3.6 million and powered by a 1200-horsepower V6 hybrid engine. Inspired by the aerospace industry, the F80 reaches a top speed of 217 mph. Only 799 units will be produced, with all already reserved by potential buyers. This marks Ferrari's first supercar launch since the 2013 LaFerrari, reflecting the company's strategy to maintain exclusivity and boost profits. Deliveries start next year | Bloomberg
Rivian’s latest update adds Halloween-themed “car costumes” for its R1T and R1S vehicles. Drivers can choose a "Back to the Future" or "Knight Rider" theme, transforming interior screens and adding iconic sounds and animations. A "Haunted" mode features spooky static screens and sound effects. The update, rolling out on October 18, offers fun, interactive features that enhance user experience, similar to Tesla’s playful software updates | The Verge
Energica, a renowned Italian electric motorcycle maker, has filed for bankruptcy, ceasing operations after a decade of producing high-performance electric bikes. Despite its innovative models like the Ego and Eva Ribelle, the company struggled financially, reducing its workforce by 70% before entering bankruptcy. Energica, known for its cutting-edge technology and craftsmanship, was a key player in electric mobility and the official MotoE World Cup supplier, but faced challenges in the volatile electric vehicle market | Electrek
Micro has unveiled the Microlino Spiaggina, a summer-focused electric microcar, at the Paris Motor Show. With a range of 177 km and a top speed of 90 km/h, this convertible vehicle is designed for eco-friendly travel. Aimed at hotels in popular vacation spots, it offers guests stylish, sustainable mobility. Launching in 2025, the Microlino Spiaggina starts at €24,990 and will be available in two colors: Portofino Blue and Sardinia Sage | ZAG Daily
Ridehailing, Carsharing, & Delivery
Waymo has launched a new transit credit program, offering riders a $3 credit when connecting to select San Francisco transit stations. This initiative aims to encourage sustainable travel by combining Waymo’s all-electric autonomous rides with public transit options. Waymo now provides over 100,000 weekly rides, preventing 135 tons of CO2 emissions. The pilot program runs through November 15, with credits available for use until December 31, 2024, promoting eco-friendly mobility and public transit integration | Waymo
Elon Musk unveiled Tesla’s Robotaxi, set for 2026 at under $30,000, and the Robovan, which seats 20, at a Burbank event. Despite showcasing ‘Full Self Driving’ (FSD) capabilities, doubts linger over shared ride acceptance, business strategy clarity, and FSD's maturity compared to Waymo's autonomous technology | The Driverless Digest
New York City Comptroller Brad Lander and the Taxi Workers Alliance are calling for an end to Uber and Lyft’s practice of "locking out" drivers to avoid paying them fairly. The lockouts reduce driver income, causing financial and mental strain. This tactic allows the companies to exploit a loophole in the city's minimum pay law, cheating drivers out of billions. Lander urges regulatory changes to ensure fair pay and protect drivers' rights | Comptroller
Lyft has partnered with Cash App Pay, becoming the first rideshare service to offer this payment method. The integration allows riders to easily pay using their Cash App balance or linked debit card, catering to digital-first consumers, especially Gen Z and Millennials. This partnership enhances convenience and flexibility for over 23.7 million Lyft riders while engaging with Cash App’s 57 million monthly users, promoting a seamless payment experience outside traditional banking systems | Business Wire
Uber is reportedly considering acquiring travel giant Expedia, valued at $20 billion, marking its largest potential acquisition. While discussions are in early stages and no formal offer has been made, Uber is assessing the feasibility of the deal. CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, a former Expedia CEO, may need to step aside from discussions. The acquisition aligns with Uber’s strategy to expand into a broader travel booking platform, following other acquisitions like Postmates | Engadget
Tesla's robotaxi plans, revealed last week, face major regulatory hurdles. The sleek, pedal-less Cybercabs, set for production by 2026, are raising concerns over feasibility, especially with the promise of unsupervised driving in key U.S. states by 2025. The surprise unveiling of an autonomous Robovan added to the event, but vague timelines and missing regulatory details have caused Tesla’s stock to drop 10%, reflecting investor uncertainty about these bold ambitions | Techcrunch
Serve Robotics is launching its faster, larger delivery robots in Los Angeles and another city as part of a deal with Uber Eats. These third-generation sidewalk robots can travel twice as far, carry 15% more cargo, and have improved safety features, including faster braking and collision avoidance. With plans to manufacture 2,000 robots by 2025, Serve aims to boost its delivery capacity significantly, potentially generating $60 to $80 million in annual revenue from the partnership | Smart Cities Dive
Investment & Deals
The European Investment Bank is lending €34 million to German teledriving startup Vay, which launched its service in Las Vegas in January 2024. Vay's technology allows remote vehicle operation without a safety driver. The investment aligns with the EU's InvestEU programme, aiming for over €372 billion in tech investments by 2027 | Tech.eu
Eve Air Mobility has secured an $88 million loan from Brazil’s National Development Bank (BNDES) for a renewable-energy-powered eVTOL production facility in Taubaté, São Paulo. Initially set for 120 aircraft annually, production may expand to 480, addressing a backlog of 2,900 orders from 30 customers across 13 countries | ZAGDaily
Frumtak Ventures has invested €8 million in AviLabs, creator of Plan3, a leading passenger disruption management technology. With €60 billion in annual operational losses, the aviation industry is primed for digital transformation. The recent Grounded summit in Reykjavik featured over 30 airlines, highlighting the urgent need for automated disruption solutions | Tech.eu
Shiftmove, a German-Swiss fleet management platform, is acquiring France’s Optimum Automotive, expanding into Europe’s largest fleet market. With 200,000 vehicles and 7,500 customers, Optimum adds significant resources. The combined 350+ employees support over 18,000 corporate clients, signaling a crucial consolidation and digitalization trend in European fleet management amid rising sustainability pressures | Tech.eu
Rabbit Mobility has secured a $1.3 million investment to expand its micromobility platform in Egypt and North Africa, notably targeting Morocco. With over 450,000 users and one million rides, the company recently deployed 450 new Gen 2 scooters. Backed by 500 Global and Untapped Global, Rabbit aims for profitability by October 2024 | ZAGDaily
The global mobility industry is set to hit $1.1 trillion by 2035, up from $389 billion in 2023, driven by digital services like advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and electric vehicle (EV) charging. Asia leads growth, with bike sharing expected to rise significantly, while challenges persist in Europe and North America | ZAGDaily
Fin, a British sustainable logistics provider, raised $7 million to expand into the US, scaling its e-cargo bike fleet from 100 to 600 vehicles for deployment in the UK and New York City. CEO Rich Pleeth emphasizes challenges like infrastructure and weather, while clients include AG1 and Grind. Fin aims to enter five UK cities by 2025 | ZAGDaily
Juiced Bikes, the Southern California electric bicycle maker known for models like the HyperScrambler and RipCurrent, was sold at auction for about $1,225,000, including its branding, intellectual property, and inventory. With its website out of stock and customer complaints rising, the future remains uncertain as the winning bidder's identity is unknown | Electrek
General Motors is investing $10 million in Forge Nano to integrate its Atomic Armor coating technology, enhancing EV battery safety and longevity. Despite a 60% increase in EV sales, GM reduced 2024 projections to 200,000 units. Forge Nano aims for prototype production by 2026, optimizing lithium use for better energy density | TechCrunch
Cities & Policy
California ranked fourth in bicycle-friendliness by the League of American Bicyclists, yet 177 cyclists died in 2022. Caltrans' budget of under $240 million for Complete Streets falls short of recommendations. New laws, including SB 960 and AB 2086, promote infrastructure improvements, while vetoed bills aimed to reduce speeding | Smart Cities Dive
Hoboken City Council Member Emily Jabbour critiques the ineffective e-bike registration program, mandating delivery workers wear vests. Mayor Ravi Bhalla warns of resource burdens and police interactions with vulnerable communities. Despite fears, Hoboken has zero traffic fatalities since 2019 under Vision Zero, prompting calls for infrastructure improvements over e-bike bans | StreetsBlog NYC
Amnesty International's report critiques EV manufacturers, ranking BYD and Mitsubishi lowest for human rights practices, while Mercedes-Benz and Tesla scored better. It highlights inadequate due diligence, emphasizing transparency, community engagement, and Indigenous rights. The findings suggest stronger government policies are needed, with Ford and Renault acknowledging the need for improvement | The Verge
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