IAA 2021: Mobilize now humming to the start
TIMELY FUTURE With its new Mobilize brand, Renault wants to make e-mobility popular, affordable and as environmentally friendly as possible as part of a shared economy. A special fleet of cars is even being built for this purpose. Duo, Bento and Hippo are the names of the first three small electric vehicles for shared mobility. The triplets are not to be purchased, but only paid for use - according to [...]
Duo, Bento and Hippo are the names of the first three small electric vehicles for shared mobility. The triplets are not to be purchased, but only paid for use - according to time or kilometers. The models provide a preview of the various services that the broad-based start-up wants to establish.
Limo for cab services and fleet operators
Mobilize is launching Limo (center gallery), an electric sedan measuring around 4.70 meters in length, next year. Initially, the company plans to start with 40 vehicles in Europe.
The offer will primarily target drivers of cab services such as Uber, as well as fleet operators who want to switch to an all-electric vehicle without purchasing it (AutoSprintCH reported).
Duo made from 50 percent recycled materials
The Duo (gallery, right) is a miniature car just under 2.40 meters in length with an all-electric drive system that has been specially designed for car-sharing in major cities. The small electric car requires little traffic space, and its energy consumption is low.
At the same time, Mobilize promises a safe, agile and connected vehicle that will be made from 50 percent recycled materials and be 95 percent recyclable. The production version of the show car unveiled at the IAA (until September 12) could hit the roads from 2023.
A lot of luggage fits into the Bento city runabout
A close technical cousin is the Bento van (left gallery), which features a closed load compartment in the rear with space for around 1,000 liters of luggage. Thanks to a modular luggage system, the city runabout can be used for various transport tasks. The target group includes service providers, craftsmen, delivery professionals and also private users.
Two-seater Hippo offers 3000 liters of storage space
The all-electric Hippo van is designed primarily for delivery services in urban environments and in environmental zones with emission bans. The 3.86-meter-long two-seater offers a load capacity of 200 kilograms and a 3000-liter storage space.
Here, too, the body can be adapted to different purposes thanks to various loading modules. The vehicle is specially optimized for use in professional applications. An e-truck similar to the concept presented is scheduled to hit the roads from 2024.
Further use of spent rechargeable batteries
Within the Renault Group, other mobility projects will also be brought together under the Mobilize brand. These include the existing car-sharing service Zity and the Renault Mobility rental service. This service will be renamed Mobilize Share.
Charging concepts for electric car fleets and the reuse of retired batteries from e-cars will also be operated under the Mobilize flag in the future.
