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Politicians may be slow to embrace the end of fossil fuels, but entrepreneurs can see the writing on the wall and are getting on with it.
iMOVE Cooperative Research Centre has backed Australian company microFleet with $500,000 funding to launch a patent-pending invention called OneDock, which could see Australia seize a golden opportunity in the booming e-micromobility market tipped to be worth $300bn by 2030.
microFleet is a sister company of Electric Vehicles Pty Ltd, which has a longstanding contract with Australia Post for the supply and maintenance of e-bikes for its 2,000 plus national fleet.
OneDock (image attached) is a universal charging and parking station for electric bikes, scooters, and other light electric vehicles. It’s the world’s first mechanical and digital technology platform to enable universal micromobility tracking, docking, charging and sharing, whether privately-owned or part of a public/corporate fleet.
The technology’s implications for urban transportation are profound, promising cities a future where the integration of e-micromobility is not just seamless but also sustainable and efficient. For users, it means no more hunting for charging points or worrying about running out of power mid-ride.
microFleet is in talks with New York City representatives, with aims to be among an elite cadre of companies to roll out e-micromobility charging systems in 2024. A successful negotiation could translate to a staggering 70,000 OneDocks gracing the streets of the Big Apple.
The innovation comes at a crucial time, especially considering the alarming trend from New York in 2022, where ad hoc lithium battery charging resulted in 216 fires, 147 injuries, and six fatalities.
It has been estimated the global e-micromobility charging market will be worth $67bn by 2030, and microFleet aims to capture 2% market share worth $1.35bn.
The company aims to install 100,000 smart docking points in Australia and 1 million globally by 2030.
iMOVE CRC – part of the Australian Government’s Cooperative Research Centres network – funded microMobility under its Impact Extension Program for Australian companies to accelerate the development of ground-breaking technology, products and services in the transport sector.
iMOVE managing director Ian Christensen said:
“In a world where the transportation sector is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by both technological advancements and environmental imperatives, solutions like OneDock are not just desirable; it’s essential.”
“microFleet’s OneDock is the embodiment of the future of urban mobility and transportation. It’s sustainable, user-centric, and primed for global adoption. It’s green, it’s smart, and it’s what cities need. This is a game-changer and iMOVE CRC is proud to be part of this transformative journey.”
OneDock inventor and microFleet COO Al Reid said:
“The future of urban transportation is not in massive cars or sprawling highways. It’s in efficient, green, and user-friendly solutions like e-bikes, e-scooters, and the infrastructure that supports them. With OneDock, microFleet is not just imagining this future, we’re building it.”
“This is a golden export opportunity for Australia. However, our ambition transcends beyond a product; we’re envisioning cities where transportation is seamless, eco-friendly, and efficient. The backing from iMOVE is a monumental step towards realising this vision on a global scale.”
OneDock will have its international launch in Europe in 2024 at a series of leading trade fairs for the cycling and micromobility industries.
