Issue [#167] - Every week, we deliver analysis and curation of emerging mobility news - post a job listing here!

Micromobility

As opposed to Europe’s strict regulations for electric bikes, the US has a more lenient e-bike market, and Bosch, a European e-bike drive system manufacturer, is hoping for it to change to ensure the highest levels of e-bike safety  / Electrek

The future of transportation is here, and it's looking a lot like a cable car! Take a lot at Swyft Cities viral proposition / via @swyftcities

Micromobility Partners (MMP) has set up a new Operations Framework. The two-day audit will make sure that shared micromobility operators are providing services that meet the highest possible operational safety standards / ZAGDaily

Denver’s e-bike program to cut the cost of e-bikes should be a national standard for cities to encourage sustainable micromobility  / Washington Post

Citizens of London will now have to take an anti-drink in-app riding test before they can rent a Tier’s e-bike or e-scooter. The EV firm took the initiative to ensure maximum safety during the holidays / Moove Electric

Product Launches & Updates

Ready to meet the new Cake’s Makka moped? Thanks to the now extended partnership between the Swedish e-motorbike company Cake and EV maker Polestar, this battery-powered moped will be rolled out in North America for the first time  / The Verge

With a 350W motor capable of 20mph, a 150-mile range, and a foldable frame that lets you store the e-bike in the trunk of a car, the Zectron e-bike is ready to conquer the electric mobility sector / Yanko Design

Ikea is revamping its home delivery fleet with SunRider, a solar-powered cargo electric trike that is sustainable, affordable, and compatible with 90% of its product range / Electrek

Ridehailing, Carsharing & Delivery

Are gig workers independent contractors or employees? The clash between major gig companies and state and federal courts remains in the U.S., as Proposition 22 was declared unconstitutional and unenforceable last year / TechCrunch

Waymo and Cruise, American autonomous vehicle companies, are approved for 24/7 passenger transport throughout San Francisco through their robotaxis / The Last Driver License Holder

In an expanded partnership between the government of Rwanda and Zipline, the American delivery drone manufacturer and operator will now deliver medical supplies, nutrition, and animal health products as well / TechCrunch

To keep the holiday spirit going, FedEx will use BrightDrop’s Trace electric cart for fast and sustainable last-mile deliveries in the New York City / Electrek

Cruise, a General Motors self-driving subsidiary, is under investigation by U.S. safety regulators after learning of incidents relating to their robotaxis. These taxis were involved in hard braking or sudden immobilizing on public roads / TechCrunch

Investment & Deals

Just one year after securing $26 million in venture capital, the Menlo Park, California-based business recently raised $31 million in a Series C round headed by Freeman Group. Helm.ai's valuation has increased to $431 million as a result of this most recent round / TechCrunch

Divergent Technologies Inc., a pioneer in green manufacturing technologies with the first modular digital factory for the automotive industry, has announced a 100 million USD investment from Hexagon AB, a global leader in digital reality solutions / Hexagon

The state of California has approved a $2.9 billion plan that would significantly extend the infrastructure for charging electric buses and commercial trucks as well as more than double the number of EV stations in the state / Green Car Reports

The City of Los Angeles receives $200 million for programs involving active transportation. Enhancing connections to Skid Row, filling a gap in the LA River bike path, and more / Urbanize

To decarbonize its fleet in Spain by expanding the availability of new electric vehicles and charging infrastructure nationwide, Cabify has announced that it has been granted a €40 million loan by the European Investment Bank / Intelligent Transport

According to estimates, Tesla's sixth Gigafactory may be moving to the state of Nuevo León in northern Mexico, with initial investments between $800 million and $1 billion / The Verge

The US military and its allies are Shield AI's target market as they create platforms and aircraft for autonomous flying systems. Shield AI has raised $60 million in funding, which it will use to advance its technology / TechCrunch

Cities & Policy

Noise complaints have increased by 678% since NYC helicopters have returned. At-home workers are irritated by the chopper traffic carrying CEOs and tourists over the airspace / Bloomberg

As a result of tag tampering, New York agencies lost out on more than $100 million in fees and fines each year. The defense of the city is being provided by a group of citizen enforcers / The NY Times

The economy should be concerned about the rising rate of auto repossessions. The percentage of low-income Americans who fail on their auto loans is higher than it was in 2019 and is slowly resembling levels from 2009 / Jalopnik

The United States Postal Service announced that it will upgrade its outdated and polluting fleet of trucks by adding 66,000 entirely electric delivery vehicles. 106,00 "next generation delivery vans" will cost $9.6 billion, according to the postal service / The Verge

New Products, Features, and Data Points

Taycan owners can now charge their cars considerably faster with Porsche’s new onboard charging module and AC home charging unit. With this combination, the home charging time for Porsche’s first all-electric car is cut to nearly half / Electrek

Jobs Board

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Vice President of Transportation Electrification - Non-profit Cleantech Incubator - Los Angeles, CA

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