E-Mobility in Europe: Here’s what happened in the sector in September 2020

2020 is ‘THE’ year for the growth of electric mobility in Europe as it gears up for a new phase in the transportation sector. In the last few years, Europe has progressed through the initial adoption period of e-mobility testifying, turbulent, disappointing, and promising times. However, the image is now clear on the e-mobility development and it’s only going to move forward. 

More than 2 million electric cars by 2025

Besides the gradually increasing momentum, it is crucial to know that the next few years will be a period of a further maturation of the EV industry. According to the study released by Chemnitz Automotive Institute (CATI), Europe will produce more than 2 million electric cars by 2025. Furthermore, the study also claims that the BEV production plants are expected to double by 2022 in at least 11 European countries.

In regards to the European e-mobility sector, we read a lot of news every day, but what are the truly-important trends to watch? To help you with that, we have jotted down some of the important happenings in September that you need to know. Check it out!

#1 Amber launches new service

The Eindhoven-based car-sharing platform launched a new service that allows users to pick up or drop off an Amber car on virtually any street corner. Through this service, users can pick up or drop off their Amber anywhere in the service area. However, if you live further away from any of the hubs, they can have an Amber car delivered to their location. Founded by Merien ten Houten, Steven Nelemans, Amber works with over 300 employers and more than 9,000 users.

#2 Zipp Mobility scoops up €500K

Based out of Dublin, Zipp Mobility raised €500K in investments from Brian O’Driscoll, the former captain of Leinster, Ireland, and British and Irish Lions rugby teams, along with a New York-based investor. Notably, the Irish-e-scooter company also got a green signal for setting up the UK trials. With this Zipp Mobility joins the likes of Voi mobility, Bird, Neuron, Bolt, Tier, and Lime. 

#3 Voi to run transport trial across West Midlands

Stockholm-based e-scooter company has gained an exclusive contract to launch its mobility service to the West Midlands in the UK. Apart from this, Voi also secured a contract to run a trial across the Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, Northampton, and Kettering region. 

As a part of the partnership with West Midlands, Voi offers e-scooter rides at £1 to unlock and £0.20 per minute. Also, it creates over 120 FTE jobs and integrates completely with the local transport system that works along with Network West Midlands, Swift Mobile, and NetNav.

#4 VanMoof secures €33.7M

The Amsterdam-based company that develops and designs urban e-bikes to help commuters get to work has secured €33.7M in Series B funding, bringing the total funding raised to €61.8M. The round was led by Norwest Venture Partners, Felix Capital, and Balderton Capital. 

According to the company, it will utilise the funds to fuel further global expansion and bolster its manufacturing process. The Dutch company also said it has witnessed a 220% global revenue growth during the worldwide lockdown and sold more bikes in the first four months of 2020 than the previous two years combined.

#5 Heart Aerospace to launch electric airliner by 2026

Heart Aerospace, a Swedish startup making electric regional airplanes, introduced a brand new electric drivetrain and new battery technology that will be used for its upcoming all-electric nineteen-passenger aircraft ES-19. As per the company, the ES-19 will sport a range of 400km with 215 knots of top speed and also capable of operating from shorter runways that are just 750 meters long.

#6 Lilium partners with Dusseldorf and Cologne/Bonn airports

German air-taxi startup Lilium announced a partnership with Dusseldorf and Cologne/Bonn airports last month to develop the necessary infrastructure to support the regional air services spanning North Rhine-Westphalia. As per the company claims, both Cologne/Bonn and Dusseldorf airports have perfect connections to air, rail, and road traffic making it an ideal place for networked mobility.

#7 Autonomous electric trucks on the road

Einride is a Swedish technology company that develops and provides freight transport solutions based on electric and autonomous vehicles. It has raised €8.5M in a round led by Norrsken VC. EQT Ventures, Nordic Ninja VC, Ericsson Ventures also participated in this investment round. 

The company plans to utilise this funds to invest in its Einride Pods – an all-electric and driverless vehicle that operates either autonomously or by a remote operation centre. According to the company, in 2019, the Pod became the first all-electric, self-driving transport vehicle to operate on a public road in Sweden. 

Einride was founded in 2016 by Robert Falck, Linnéa Kornehed and Filip Lilja. Last year, the company raised a $25M (nearly €21.27M) Series A round.

#8 HumanForest suspends e-bike service in London

London-based HumanForest suspended its “free” e-bike service in London after reportedly experiencing “mechanical” issues and after a user suffered a “minor accident”. 

According to a statement released by the company, ““We were not aware that the bike was defective. There had been problems of a similar nature which were suspected to be tampering or minor mechanical issues. We undertook extra mechanical checks which we believed had resolved the issue and informed the supplier. We immediately suspended operations following the minor accident on Sunday. The supplier is now investigating whether there is a more serious problem with the e-bike.”

The company plans to re-launch “with a new e-bike in Spring 2021.” This suspension comes just a few weeks after securing £1.8 million (nearly €2 million) funding from leaders in the mobility industry including Vicente Pascual and Juan de Antonio (founders of Cabify, a ride-sharing app).

Main image credits: Lilium