Anything that Moves

In a follow-up to a November 2020 episode with Zoomo, Jules Flynn, the company's Chief Operating Officer, reflects on how 2020 "hot take" has matured into 2022 fact: that e-bikes have become the most economically sensible vehicle for many modes of urban logistics. He explains why verticals such as food and grocery delivery have been early adopters to this trend, and what the world of urban logistics might look like once large parcel services adopt light electric vehicles en masse.

Adam Goldstein, longtime mobility executive and former CEO of Royal Caribbean Cruises, discusses the link between electrification and energy independence, the state of vehicle-to-grid (V2G) charging, and the role of government in encouraging EV adoption. Listen for a discussion on electrification, and stay tuned for a bonus question on the secret life of cruise ships.

Rodrigo Martinez, Founder and CEO of Kolors, discusses why he believes that LATAM intercity busing is ripe for digitization. Rodrigo breaks down why intercity busing in Mexico and other emerging markets serves the role of domestic flights in the US and Western Europe, and explains how Kolors aims to improve the passenger experience with ancillary products and services. He argues that the industry can learn much from successful airline business models, and suggests that the “Uberization” of transportation has changed how mobility companies approach customer acquisition.

For more information on Kolors, see https://techcrunch.com/2022/06/03/mexico-citys-kolors-wants-to-disrupt-intercity-busing-in-latin-america/

Graham Doorley, CEO of Solo AVT, discusses why he believes that fully electric, autonomous-enabled, long-haul trucking is coming sooner rather than later, and how Solo AVT’s ground up Class 8 truck, the SD1, plays into the future of electric, autonomous trucking. Graham breaks down how the company approaches regulation, why diesel big-rigs can't be easily retrofitted for electrification or autonomy, and what redesigned trucks mean for millions of truck drivers worldwide - as well as the environment. 

For more information on Solo AVT, see https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/us-automated-electric-truck-startup-solo-avt-picks-battery-supplier-abs-2022-05-25/ and https://techcrunch.com/2022/03/16/solo-avt-heavy-truck-platforms-autonomous-freight-driverless/

Loan My Descourvieres, StartUp & Technology Group Vice President at Valeo, breaks down the role of Tier 1 vehicle suppliers in the automotive supply chain and how they can foster technological innovation. She touches on new e-bike powertrains, how Valeo has survived the chip shortage, and why Tier 1 suppliers make ideal design partners for early-stage mobility startups.

Dr. Peter Mertens, an automotive industry veteran, breaks down the role of startups in the automotive ecosystem. Building on his 35 years of experience at Mercedes-Benz, General Motors, Tata Motors, Volvo Cars, and Audi, he touches on how Israeli innovation encourages the world’s largest automakers to adopt new technologies, and how new EV brands are increasingly competing with legacy OEMs and Tier 1s.

Itay Michaeli, Auto Equity Research Analyst at Citi, breaks down the changing vehicle ownership landscape. He discusses the shift towards new mobility business models in both urban & rural settings, the relationship between vehicle access & freedom of movement, and the impact of EV adoption & autonomous driving technologies on personal automobile usage patterns. 

Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, General Partner at Future Africa and co-founder of Andela and Flutterwave, breaks down African innovation and the growth of the mobility-focused entrepreneurial sector in Nigeria. He discusses the policy mobility of trends in new vehicle financing and ownership models, fleet electrification, and urban growth.

Anil Paryani, CEO of Auto Motive Power (AMP), breaks down the critical EV charging infrastructure problems within President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. He discusses how to achieve the ideal balance between AC and DC charge points, incentivize users to purchase EVs, and optimize the charging experience.

IQ Sayed, CTO at Fenix, breaks down the current state of micromobility and discusses F10, the company's experiment fusing micromobility with on-demand urban logistics