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- 🛵 Ola IPO?
🛵 Ola IPO?
Plus, US bike spending soared 620% during the pandemic, Gogoro expands in South Korea, and Italian ebike sales inch even higher.
Here it is. In less than 10 days, Micromobility Europe will arrive in Amsterdam, bringing together urban mobility’s most important founders, journalists, investors, and policymakers for two jam-packed days of game-changing product debuts, thought-provoking panels, unparalleled networking opps, hands-on test rides, and more. But time is running out. If you haven’t booked yet, there are only a few tickets left…
Zag Daily has the scoop on what to expect and why we think this will be a monumental event for the industry, but here’s a quick overview:
💛 200+ incredible speakers, including from brands like Google Maps, EIT Urban Mobility, Walmart, Cowboy, EMnify, Swapfiets, Dance, IDNow, Urban Arrow, Zoba, Toyota, Pon Holdings, Wolt, Zoomo, Cannondale—as well as tier 1 cities like Paris, Amsterdam, London—and more.
🛵 Micromobility test rides from dozens of innovative brands (Inokim, Segway, Niu, Microlino, Navee, Ampler, Voltaire, Async, Cake, Aike, Vässla, Egret, SoFlow, Hilo, Roetz, Clip, to name a few).
💃 A massive party at Amsterdam’s only nightclub on a beach, co-hosted by McKinsey & Company
📲 A networking app where you can meet high-quality leads and win free ebikes, scooters, and other products.
🔊A a one-of-a-kind “Rave Ride” through the scenic streets of Amsterdam, led by none other than DJ Dom Whiting.
… plus much more. Hope to see you in Amsterdam next week ✌️
Today’s newsletter is brought to you by… Vammo
In Brazil, millions of motorcyclists drive an average of 125 km per day. While the electrical grid is 85% renewable, less than 0.5% of the fleet is EV. The electrification of Brazil’s fleet will contribute significantly to global decarbonization goals, and Vammo is building battery swapping infrastructure specifically for Latin America’s motorcycle riders. Come meet Vammo at Micromobility Europe in June, or reach out to them in São Paulo to see their plan in action. Learn more.
What You Need to Know Today
India-based Ola Electric, maker of two-wheel EVs, is reportedly preparing for an IPO by the end of this year. The company, which is said to be recruiting Goldman Sachs and Kotak to manage the share sale, was valued at $5B in its last fundraise in 2022.
In a study of transportation habits during the pandemic, the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics found that spending on bikes and bike accessories increased by 620% between 2020 and 2023. The report also documented a 42% increase in ridership for some of the country’s largest shared operators.
The latest episode of Ride On! includes multiple ebike giveaways, coverage of several new vehicle launches, an interview with D-Fly’s Sport Scooter and CEO, and more.
Paris-based ebike refurbishment startup Loewi has raised €1M in funding. The company aims to reach 300 refurbishments per month and deploy its services internationally.
Taiwan-based Gogoro recently expanded its partnership with BikeBank to bring its battery-swapping stations to seven additional cities in South Korea.
In Amsterdam, low-speed microcars have been a lifeline for people with disabilities to get around for decades. But as their numbers increase, some are wondering whether they belong in the bike lane, the car lane, or a new, third lane.
Santa Barbara is establishing a library that allows members to check out ebikes on a weekly basis. Ebike “lending libraries” are just one way local institutions can encourage ridership within the community. Check out our global subsidy tracker to learn more about ebike incentives.
Utah’s ZOOm Go Incentive program aims to improve local air quality by encouraging clean transportation via EVs and electric bikes. The program, which is running now, offers up to 45% off ebikes at participating retailers.
Bird’s stock fell nearly 11% after the company announced a reverse stock split on May 18th.
Spain-based Niche Mobility recently revealed its Automatic Digital Transmission System (ADTS) - an electric drive chain that eliminates the need for gear shifting. In place of a multi-gear system, the ADTS features a “virtual gearbox” that calculates the output needed based on the speed, torque, and slope of the bike. The company intends to offer the technology to ebike manufacturers, with a specific focus on urban and cargo bike producers.
Also MPS, a subsidiary of Acer computers, recently announced the development of their AI-powered drive system.
Amid a rise in ebike and scooter fires, UK fire authorities warn consumers of the danger of third-party charging cables commonly available on Amazon, eBay, and other online retailers. Investigations found clover-shaped plugs to be a common culprit. As a rule of thumb, authorities encourage riders to always use the cable provided by the vehicle manufacturer.
This week on The Micromobility Podcast, Oliver is joined by Timothy Seward and James Khatiblou of ONYX Motorbikes. Specifically they discuss Tim’s background as a designer and his work at Bird, the initial design of the Onyx and their first fundraiser, their expanding product line and what they are excited about. Listen here.
In Italy, the bicycle market experienced a 10% decrease in sales last year, but ebikes were up 4% - a common trend throughout the European market. Of the entire Italian ebike market, the category of electric cargo bikes showed the most growth, increasing a full 100% in units sold since last year.
A somewhat surprising new study from Germany finds that people who own micromobility devices in rural areas ride more frequently than those in big cities. The research also found that micromobility usage is growing rapidly among individuals over the age of 50.
Last-mile subscription service Zoomo is adding cargo ebikes to its fleet portfolio through a partnership with Urban Arrow.
Honda recently filed patents for two new moped-like electric scooters, named the Dax: e (pictured) and Zoomer: e, for the Indian market.
Ireland-based Zeus scooters recently launched a solar panel charging pilot program in Regensburg, Germany.
Swedish electric motorbike company Cake recently announced its expansion into India via a partnership with Pepfuels.
PS - We’re looking for a handful of volunteers to help ensure Micromobility Europe runs smoothly in exchange for a free ticket. This is a great chance to go behind the scenes, save money, and meet industry leaders. Are you interested in coming to the Amsterdam event next week for free? Email us asap to reserve your spot.
Startup Awards - Micromobility America!
Our signature Startup Awards are coming to Micromobility America in the SF Bay Area on Oct 19-20.
Any company that has raised less than $20M in total funding will be eligible to pitch in their respective category. Categories will reflect The Micromobility Landscape. Each company that is selected will have 5 minutes to pitch onstage.
If you would like to enter, please fill out this form.