The global mobility revolution has already begun, and it is rapidly opening up opportunities/ challenges for numerous players across the mobility ecosystem. This revolution is fueled by various emerging technologies, including electric vehicles, connected & autonomous vehicles, and Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS).
A considerable amount of startups across the globe are striving hard for greener, cheaper, and more interconnected mobility landscape that will bring multiple benefits. One among them is ViaVan, the provider of innovative on-demand shared transit services in Europe.
ViaVan electric fleet in Milton Keynes!
Recently, ViaVan, Europe’s leader in public mobility, announced the launch of the first fully electric fleet for on-demand shared rides in the UK in Milton Keynes. The UK Department for Transport’s Office for Low Emission Vehicles, also granted £544,000 to the Dutch on-demand shared transit service, supported by Milton Keynes Council.
ViaVan CEO Chris Snyder said:
We are honored to receive funding from the UK Department for Transport with support from Milton Keynes Council to fully electrify our fleet in Milton Keynes. Together with Milton Keynes Council, we are excited not only to establish a plan to achieve success for green, on-demand mobility offerings in the city but also to create a model for how the public and private sectors can work together to realise the vision of smart, sustainable public transport for the future.
Notably, the company has introduced five electric Mercedes-Benz Vito eTourers to its fleet and plans to expand the fleet to thirty electric vehicles by 2020.
Partnership with Milton Keynes Council!
Furthermore, the Amsterdam-based company has also announced a partnership with Milton Keynes Council. It’s worth mentioning that the program aligns with the UK Government, the recent announcement by the to set plans to accelerate the decarbonisation of transport, in addition to Milton Keynes Council’s ambitions to become the greenest city in the world.
Powered more than 100,000 rides in Milton Keynes!
ViaVan has powered more than 100,000 rides in Milton Keynes and surpassed 7 million rides in its London service recently. Across Europe and the UK, ViaVan works with several leading public transport authorities, cities, and partners, as well.
Via and Mercedes-Benz Vans!
If you are unaware, ViaVan was founded in 2017 as a joint initiative between Via, the world’s most sophisticated developer of dynamic shared rides technology, and Mercedes-Benz Vans. At present, the on-demand platform currently operates direct-to-consumer services in London, Amsterdam, Berlin, and Milton Keyne.
Shared mobility, is indeed an innovative transportation concept that enables users to gain short-term access to transportation on-demand basis rather than through ownership. Talking about the shared transport services, let’s have a look at the other services that you can use across Europe.
Car2Go (Germany)
Funding: €70M
Based out of Stuttgart, Germany Car2go offers the world’s largest and fastest-growing car-sharing service. At present, the company operates in 29 European and North American cities. Users can book the car through the Car2Go app at less than €0.5 per minute without any additional insurance or fuel costs.
Sono Motors (Germany)
Funding: €9.6M
Founders: Jona Christians, Laurin Hahn, Navina Pernsteiner
Based out of Munich, the company aims to become the leading provider of sustainable mobility by focusing on electric vehicles with alternative power technologies and innovative sharing services. Sono Motors introduced Sion, an electric car partially powered by solar panels on the car. Check out here (Interiors) to know more about Sion.
Green Mobility (Denmark)
This platform offers easy transportation around the city without actually handling the expenses of owning one. Complimenting the city’s existing mobility offers, users can book cars through their apps. Available City Cars can be reserved free of charge up to 30 min, and after an ended trip, the City Cars can be parked free of charge in any legal and public parking spot.
Amber (Netherlands)
Funding: €500K
Founders: Merien ten Houten, Steven Nelemans
The Eindhoven-based company provides guaranteed on-demand mobility with a modular, autonomous, and customisable electric car explicitly designed to be shared. Users can make reservations through the app. And after you arrived at your destination, you can lock the car with the app.
Cowboy (Belgium)
Funding: €12.7M
Founders: Adrien Roose, Karim Slaoui, Tanguy Goretti
Based out of Brussels, Cowboy develops electric bikes for urban riders. The company aims to improve urban mobility in a more enjoyable, sustainable, and efficient manner. In April 2019, Cowboy launched its second model and introduced it to Germany, France, the Netherlands, and, most recently, Austria.
unu (Germany)
Funding: €20M
Founders: Elias Atahi, Mathieu Caudal, Pascal Leonard Blum
This Berlin-based startup offers a battery-powered, smart electric scooter that enables individuals to commute through an urban environment. The emission-free bikes are quiet and comfortable to charge, as well.
Scooty (Belgium)
Founders: Jan-Albrecht Jost, Bram Vandeperre and Michiel Van Roey
Scooty is a free-floating scooter sharing service! Users can locate, book, start, and stop the scooter through a mobile app. All the scooters are equipped with helmets, users are insured, and the batteries are charged. Since it is free-floating, there are no specific parking locations.
Etergo (Netherlands)
Funding: €18.6M
Founders: Bart Jacobsz Rosier, Marijn Flipse
Formerly called as Bolt Mobility, Etergo is working towards a goal of making petrol transportation a thing of the past, starting with the electric scooter – AppScooter. The company’s e-scooter has a 7-inch LED touchscreen and 50-liter storage. It can accelerate up to 45kmph in less than four seconds, and its battery can run up to 240 km. Notably, it has inbuilt GPS and access to 4G connectivity in its cockpit.
TIER mobility (Germany)
Funding: €82M
Founders: Julian Blessin, Lawrence Leuschner, Matthias Laug
TIER Mobility is one of the leading shared micro-mobility services with a mission to change mobility for good. Currently, TIER has strategic partnerships with public transportation providers in Berlin, Munich, and Bonn. The company is now operating in 40+ cities across 12 markets worldwide. TIER Mobility is headquartered in Berlin and employs over 350 people.
Main image credit: ViaVan
Stay tuned to Silicon Canals for more European technology news.
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