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MicroMobility

The term “micro-mobility” refers to small electric vehicles as small and light means of transport for covering the first or last mile. They are much more compact than cars and therefore save space as a means of transport. Their design for short distances of a few hundred meters and a range of up to about 100 kilometers of driving distance distinguishes the vehicles of micro mobility as a flexible solution for individual traffic in crowded cities. Some of the vehicles can accommodate additional passengers, such as e-scooters or light electric vehicles.

In our cities, the limits of growth have already been reached. Urban mobility requires sustainable, small and thus space-saving means of transportation to cope with the influx of additional inhabitants and commuting from the suburbs.

Micro-mobility as a mobility service also stands for the sensible supplementation of public transport and cars, for example in commuter traffic. The own e-scooter in the public transport system for coping with the last meters in the city center or the sharing offer of e-scooter providers in the big city. Micro-mobility applies to itself as well as in combination with traditional means of transport such as bus, train or own vehicle. Micromobility is therefore a solution for our mobility requirements of the future.

The burdens in cities are increasing, the increasing proportion of the population is a main reason for traffic jams, environmental pollution and declining quality of life in the world’s centres. Added to this is the sharp increase in deliveries due to the increase in online shopping behaviour, especially in the cities. The mail order business is booming, the delivery services are struggling with a significantly higher volume of parcels and packages. These challenges of passenger transport and last mile deliveries call for new vehicles.

In passenger transport, it is about how I travel from my parked car to my destination. Here, fuel cell buses, electric buses (also called electric buses) require large investments for cities and municipalities. In tourism, providers rely on e-bikes (electric bikes), very small electric cars or electrically powered single-passenger means of transport such as Segways. Thanks to the good transport facilities, commuters use skateboards, smaller collapsible bikes and bicycles as a supplement to public transport.

“We need new, smart vehicles for passenger and delivery transport. We call these micromobility vehicles as their reach is focused on shorter distances”

The transport industry is about how goods delivered by airplanes, rail, rail, road or air (for example drones) to destinations near cities.

In this category we report on the progress with micromobility vehicles on the last mile. So far, these deliveries have been made by combustion engines. However, since the OLG Leipzig’s diesel ruling at the beginning of 2018 at the latest, there has been a threat of driving bans in the cities. New ways of delivery on the last mile are in demand. They can be done by electric vehicles, scooters, bicycles (in English bikes) or from the air by so-called drones.

The year 2018 seems to bring the breakthrough of electric vehicles for commercial use. Almost every week, the manufacturers of these vehicles announce new products and smart services. This is due to increased demand from tradespeople. Many manufacturers, but also consultants, the chambers of commerce and local chambers of handicrafts offer training courses on the new vehicles. Ultimately, this paradigm shift is not only about the vehicles themselves, but also about the appropriate infrastructure. For the operation of electric vehicles, for example, investments have to be made in charging infrastructure such as some charging stations or PV systems. In larger companies or public utilities and public transport providers, the service and operation of new vehicles must be ensured. In the case of electric buses, some of the batteries are located on the roof, for which safe and certified maintenance devices (for example in the form of bridges) must be installed for the service personnel.