E-scooter rental company Lime is rolling out its new Gen4 seated e-scooter that aims to appeal to older users and those with reduced physical mobility.
The Gen4 Seated was piloted in cities earlier this year and it is now available in San Francisco and Chicago with further launches in other North American cities and in Australia and New Zealand due soon. E Scooters
The new vehicle, which is accessed like other vehicles in Lime’s fleets through its app, is built on the existing basis of the Gen4 e-scooter.
Lime’s new iteration will make micromobility more "approachable", Lime president Joe Kraus said.
"The new design allows for added comfort and, when paired with our new storage compartment, will provide for more use cases, encouraging more people to consider Lime to fit their needs."
According to market research by Lime, internal storage is a "key factor" in someone choosing a micromobility rental vehicle, something which is typically not part of a traditional e-scooter, which requires the user to stand.
The US company said that the vehicle also appeals to older users and users with limited mobility that may have been excluded from other e-scooters or e-bikes given their physical requirements to operate.
"Through our initial launches, we’ve seen how the Gen4 Seated introduces new riders who may have previously been skeptical about e-scooters or e-bikes," Josh Meltzer, head of government affairs at Lime, said.
"It reinforces the idea that while the need for affordable and sustainable transportation is universal, sometimes riders just want options that accommodate different needs and preferences. Transitioning more people from cars onto shared electric vehicles ultimately helps cities become healthier, safer, and more livable, and we’re glad the Gen4 Seated will contribute to that goal."
The Gen4 Seated has larger wheels and a lower baseboard to optimize its center of gravity, which the company says increases its safety. It is powered by a swappable battery.
Lime recently disclosed that it had $250 million in gross bookings on its vehicles for first half of the year, up 45% year on year, with adjusted EBITDA of $27 million.
72v Electric Bike The company is tipped to be pursuing a public listing soon.