Latest news with #urbanmobility
Malay Mail
a day ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Japan backs Johor's rise as Asean smart mobility hub, eyes deeper tech, green investment ties
JOHOR BARU, June 19 — Japan has pledged continued support for Johor's transformation into an Asean benchmark for urban mobility by promoting smart transit solutions and cutting-edge transportation technologies. Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia Noriyuki Shikata said the initiative aligns with Johor's rapid economic growth, particularly fuelled by the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), which is set to position the state as a key regional economic hub. He said the forthcoming Rapid Transit System, Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS), expected to be completed by late 2026, along with the proposed Elevated Autonomous Rapid Transit System (E-ART), are key to improving public transportation in Johor. By utilising Japan's AI-powered traffic control systems and digitally optimised public transportation networks, Johor could significantly reduce traffic congestion and emerge as a transportation model not just for Malaysia, but for the entire Asean region, he said at the Nikkei Forum Medini Johor 2025 here Thursday. Co-organised by Iskandar Investment Bhd and Japan's Nikkei Inc, the two-day Nikkei Forum Medini Johor 2025 is hosted by the Johor state government with support from the Johor Economic Planning Division, Invest Johor, and the Iskandar Puteri City Council. He highlighted the strategic potential of the Port of Tanjung Pelepas and Johor Port, both of which are well-positioned to grow as competitive regional logistics hubs and play a larger role in international trade. He said Japanese stakeholders are eager to collaborate on enhancing operational efficiency and vessel traffic management at the Port of Tanjung Pelepas and Johor Port, aiming to strengthen Johor's role in international trade, generate quality employment, and significantly contribute to regional economic growth. As Johor continues to emerge as a key destination for data centres, Shikata underscored the significant environmental challenge posed by the high energy demand for cooling, noting that Japan's LNG-based cooling technology offers an environmentally friendly and efficient cooling solution. 'By adopting this technology, the data centres in Johor would significantly improve energy efficiency while reducing their environmental impacts as well as improving operational efficiency,' he said. 'We are also realising that green energy flow from Sarawak to Johor will not only secure a sustainable energy supply but also unlock new green investment opportunities in Malaysia for Japanese companies,' he added. Shikata said such cooperation is expected to accelerate sustainable economic growth in both Japan and Malaysia, as well as across the Asean region, in line with the vision of the Asean Power Grid actively promoted by Malaysia's Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. 'International student exchanges are vital for nurturing talent and future leadership, encouraging joint programmes between Japanese and Johor universities to strengthen bilateral cooperation based on trust and friendship,' he said. Shikata affirmed Japan's ongoing commitment to strengthening its partnership with Malaysia, stressing that collaboration between both governments and the private sectors in green investment, transportation, and education is crucial to building a brighter and more prosperous future for both nations. — Bernama
Motor Trend
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Motor Trend
Honda's New Electric Delivery Quadricycle Has Swappable Batteries, Fits in Bike Lanes
The business of delivering goods is a vast and complex one, and is only made more complicated by dense, urban spaces where demand is high and streets are tight. Enter the Fastport eQuad, a new, all-electric quadricycle from a new subsidiary of Honda. Though just a prototype for now, the eQuad is designed with urban congestion in mind and will offer a variety of features and sizes to fit the challenges of last-mile delivery. Honda's Fastport eQuad is a new electric quadricycle for urban deliveries, featuring swappable batteries, customizable cargo sizes, and bike lane compatibility. It offers a max speed of 12 mph and will debut at Eurobike 2025, with deliveries starting late this year. This summary was generated by AI using content from this MotorTrend article Read Next Fastport is Honda's B2B business and micromobility arm. On Tuesday, it announced its first product will be the eQuad, which is the vehicle delivery drivers will use to get your goods to you in a more efficient and safer way. This quadricycle prioritizes rider comfort, the company claims, as Honda's own engineering in the chassis design should return a comfortable ride, even over rough city blocks. That's fine, but the rest of the driver-comfort list is far from the sort of basic amenities you might find in, say, any modern Honda passenger vehicle. Delivery people, get excited for a full-frontal enclosure for protection against the elements, a ventilation fan, and a UV-coated canopy with a ceramic tint option. Maybe pay less attention to the (arguably efficient, for getting in and out quickly) otherwise open-air cockpit. Swappable rechargeable batteries will theoretically cut down on time spent waiting to charge back up again. Plus, an all-electric setup means no additional noise or emissions pollution. There's a pedal-by-wire pedal-assist powertrain, as well as automatic parking brakes and regenerative braking. Both small and large cargo box container sizes will be offered, depending on regional needs. Vehicle length can also be customized, which means customers can load a variety of goods like groceries, parcels, or small packages. The eQuad can also fit in bike lanes, which should reduce traffic congestion (at least for cars, maybe not, um, bikes). Two sizes will be offered. The small eQuad is approximately 11 feet long, just shy of 7 feet tall, and 3 feet wide, while the large model is approximately 12 feet long, 7 feet tall, and 4 feet wide. The small cargo box is approximately 6.3 feet long, 4.8 feet tall, and 3.2 feet wide; the largo cargo box is roughly 7.4 feet long, 5 feet tall, and 4 feet wide. Maximum payload for the small version is 320 pounds and 650 pounds for the large, and at maximum payload capacity, the large can travel up to 23 miles. No word yet on the range for the small. Both versions can travel up to a maximum speed of 12 mph. That's not all. The eQuad will also be equipped with software-defined platform features like maintenance and service plans, AI-powered dashboards to help with driver and fleet-management operations, and over-the-air software updates. Honda plans to debut its prototype at the Eurobike 2025 event in Frankfurt, Germany, at the end of June. No pricing was announced at this time, though deliveries of the first edition models are slated to start late this year. A full rollout is expected to happen next summer. At least in the case of a place like New York City, this is good news. Last-mile truck use has long plagued city streets and only increased in recent years due to the rise in e-commerce. Residents are fighting againstdangerous truck traffic, toxic air quality, and noise. Electric cargo bikes like the eQuad are the way forward. An update to the Department of Transportation's cargo bike rules in March 2024 now allows for freight deliveries to be executed by "pedal-assist electric cargo bicycles up to four feet wide, with four wheels and up to [16 feet long] long (with trailer)," Streetsblog New York City reported. This is "up from the original 120-inch limit that would have barred the existing fleets from Whole Foods and Amazon." Furthermore, the rules also establish new curb regulations: a "Commercial Bicycle Loading Only" zone to allow dedicated space at the curb for cargo bikes to load and unload goods." The eQuad's range might run into issues in bigger and more sprawling cities, but in immediate downtown areas, they're likely to be a favorable mobility solution.
News.com.au
10-06-2025
- Automotive
- News.com.au
Zoomo's e-bike: Good or bad?
We've all heard the sales pitch for electric bikes (e-bikes) and bikes in general. They enhance health, save money, minimise carbon footprints and reduce congestion, contributing to a more efficient transportation network. Good for you, good for the planet. However, recent news about the dangers and misuse of e-bikes has obscured the compelling reasons for why they are needed in Australia. As cities across the country grow denser and traffic congestion worsens, the need for innovative urban mobility solutions has never been more crucial. Zoomo, a leader in the e-bike industry, is at the forefront of this urban transport revolution. Originally built for gig economy workers, and owing to their efficiency, durability and reliability, Zoomo's e-bikes quickly became the fan favourite among food delivery riders. This same balance of efficiency, durability and reliability is now being marketed to city commuters through subscription models designed to make e-biking more readily accessible. The bike itself isn't your typical flashy toy, but a functional machine designed for one purpose: to get from point A to point B in the most efficient way possible. That's why it's fitted with the most urban-friendly features. The bike comes with five power modes generated by its 250-watt motor, allowing the rider to adjust the assist level depending on the terrain. It's an innovative feature that's extremely handy for those who ride between quiet backstreets, busy roads, and the odd hill. The motor is discreetly hidden in the front wheel and propels a rider up to a speed of 25km/h with relatively little effort. Under normal conditions, the bike's battery lasts approximately six hours, which riders can track on the easy-to-read digital display that also shows speed and distance travelled. In addition to the power modes, a rear Shimano Nexus 3-speed gear hub not only gives riders further cruising assistance but also allow riders to shift gears while stationary — particularly useful at traffic lights. It should go without saying commuter comfort is extremely important. And Zoomo haven't missed the beat on this either. The saddle is ergonomically shaped, offering enough support without sacrificing comfort. The handlebars are also slightly raised with a sweptback design, positioning riders in a relaxed and upright position. More antitheft features than most cars Bike safety is paramount and this e-bike takes safety to a whole new level. Riders must tap a security fob to start the bike and use a key to remove its battery. If these steps aren't followed, the security system activates, locking the tyres with powerful brakes. And in the extremely rare event someone does manage to steal one of these, Zoomo themselves offer recovery missions alongside tracking features. While delivery riders still make up a large chunk of Zoomo's customer base, more commuters are starting to see the value of high-performance e-bikes. Zoomo are offering various rental options, with plans starting from $64 per week. Alternatively, there are options to purchase the bike outright; with prices starting at $1,500 second-hand and $3,000 new. For those who are growing tired of urban traffic and wanting an alternative way to get about, Zoomo is making a strong case for leaving the car at home.
Arabian Business
10-06-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Hala Taxi customers save $4.08mn through Careem Plus subscriptions
Hala taxi customers have saved AED 15 million on rides through the Careem Plus subscription programme over four years, the company announced on June 9, 2025. The savings reflect growing consumer interest in value-led mobility solutions, driven by rising demand for cost efficiency and convenience in urban transport. Hala, Dubai's e-hailing taxi solution and a joint venture between the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Careem, operates through the Careem Plus subscription programme which costs AED 19 per month. Careem Plus delivers savings Every month, thousands of Hala users subscribe to Careem Plus, typically saving more than 15 times the AED 19 subscription fee per month. Members receive 10 per cent instant cashback on every Hala ride, credited directly to their Careem wallet. The average Hala rider subscribed to Careem Plus receives AED 40 back each month just on Hala trips, with total monthly savings across Careem's services averaging over AED 300. Careem Plus members typically save over AED 300 per month, with the most users saving over AED 1,000 monthly. 'We are pleased to see such strong engagement with Careem Plus among Hala riders. The consistent growth in usage demonstrates that customers value the tangible savings and simplicity that the programme provides. As part of our commitment to supporting urban mobility in Dubai, we will continue to enhance the user experience through offerings that are accessible, practical, and genuinely rewarding,' Khaled Nuseibeh, CEO of Hala said. Careem Plus is integrated into the Careem 'Everything App' and provides members with benefits across multiple services for a monthly fee of AED 19. In addition to cashback on Hala and Careem Rides, members enjoy free delivery on food and grocery orders, rates on international money transfers, and discounts on dining bills, home cleaning, laundry, Careem Bike, and more. The programme offers cross-category value while reinforcing Careem's position as the region's multi-service digital platform. Hala leverages Careem's ride-hailing technology and the local knowledge of the RTA to provide rides across Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah. The service is booked through the Careem app. Careem operates in over 70 cities across 10 countries, from Morocco to Pakistan. Since 2012, Careem has created earning opportunities for over 3.5 million Captains, simplified the lives of over 75 million customers, and built a platform for the region's talent to thrive and for entrepreneurs to scale their businesses.
Washington Post
10-06-2025
- Automotive
- Washington Post
Are electric minicars the future of city driving? We put one to the test.
I turn the key. The touch screen on the dashboard flashes to life. Colored disco lights illuminate inside the speakers. As I smash the accelerator to the floor, the electric motor sprints into high gear, about 25 miles per hour. Welcome to the future of city driving. Maybe. Last week I test drove a new way to get around: electric minicars.
