Enabling Digital Transformation in Micromobility

Plus, Amazon brings cargo e-bike deliveries to Berlin.

August 06, 2024

Welcome to the Micromobility Newsletter, your weekly digest of important events and industry news in the world of personal transportation.

Webinar in 1 Hour!

There’s only 1 hour until our can’t-miss webinar about the digital transformation of the micromobility sector kicks off. We’ll be joined by experts from Autodesk and Stilride, a Swedish moto maker that is revolutionizing manufacturing with their unique approach based on industrial origami, to discuss:

  • 👷‍♀️ Streamlining the product development lifecycle for small EVs

  • ⛓ Navigating challenges the industry is facing with manufacturing and supply chain management

  • 🤖 Leveraging AI and other digital technologies to bring best-in-class products to market

Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn from technology and industry leaders. We’re going live here in 1 hour.

What You Need to Know Today

When it comes to e-bikes, the US lags behind many European countries, including the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany, where electric models account for a majority of bike sales. But despite the slow start, experts believe US e-bike sales could reach 50% market share by 2030.

US trade regulators find there is a reasonable indication that imports from China are materially hurting US producers of low-speed vehicles (or what are colloquially known as golf carts). Alleged dumping margins for Chinese imports are reported to be nearly 500%. This initial ruling paves the way for continued in-depth antidumping and countervailing duty investigations.

Amazon just opened a new e-cargo bike microhub in Berlin. The microhub, which will rely on Mubea e-cargo bikes, is projected to deliver more than 1.5 million parcels per year.

Image Credit: Amazon

The USDOT delivers a warning: In order for the US to reach its decarbonization goals, Americans need to reduce how much they drive.

Amidst major global market sell-offs this week, Ola Electric's $734M IPO was fully subscribed in two days. The new investment will be used to boost in-house battery cell production.

Lime is launching two new shared e-bikes with women and older riders in mind. The LimeGlider resembles a bike but has no pedals and is powered via a throttle, while the LimeBike is a conventional e-bike that features a throttle for easier acceleration and pedal assist. Both models have a very low step-through frame for enhanced accessibility for riders with mobility limitations.

Image Credit: Lime

Capitalizing on high EU-imposed tariffs on Chinese imports, Portugal has quietly emerged the European leader in bicycle manufacturing, exporting more than 3 million units each year.

Honda has been slow to deliver electric two-wheelers to the Indian market. Is it missing out, or will its size and market reach allow it to achieve long-term market share in India?

Indian motorbike-taxi startup Rapido has reached unicorn status with its latest $120M funding round, led by WestBridge Capital. Rapido’s strong growth can be attributed to its focus on two-wheeled transportation in congested city centers and its partnership with food delivery company Swiggy.

Image Credit: Rapido

Rad Power has been hit with another round of layoffs, mostly affecting its product development team. This is the sixth time the US e-bike company has cut staff since 2021.

At least a dozen cities in China are experimenting with offering shared hydrogen-powered bikes to their residents, but the ecological results have mixed. “The main advantage of hydrogen as an energy source is that it has much higher energy density, meaning a hydrogen tank with the same weight as a lithium battery would produce more energy and power the vehicles to go farther. However, that advantage only kicks in for trips over 800 kilometers, says Mark Z. Jacobson, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at Stanford University. That means hydrogen is a more economical choice for long-distance transportation like ships, planes, and trucks. Bikes, however, are almost on the exact opposite end of the transportation spectrum.”

Image Credit: Yuoun

Like what you’re seeing here? Ride along with us every week for free.