"Powering the Shift: From Four Wheels to Two – Why E-Bike Charging is the Conversation We Need to Have"

I immersed myself in a day of thought-provoking keynotes, expert roundtables, and innovative startup pitches, all centered around mobility and smart cities at the first day of the Smart City Expo in Barcelona. As the founder of TILER, my mission was to absorb, interact, and share my vision on incentivizing people to choose light electric vehicles (LEVs) over cars for their short city trips and daily commutes. The fair provided a vibrant forum to discuss the critical question: what is needed to facilitate and accelerate the growth of LEVs in our urban landscapes?

The Chicken and Egg Dilemma of EV Growth and Charging Infrastructure

It's no secret that the growth trajectory of electric vehicles (EVs) is often attributed to the parallel expansion of charging facilities. In a keynote speech by a Microsoft spokesperson, the crucial nature of EV charging infrastructure was emphasized. Yet, despite the growing importance of bikes in urban mobility, there’s a silence in the room when it comes to public charging for e-bikes and other light electric vehicles. It's as if the government assumes this isn't a problem, rephrase, not their problem — but TILER knows otherwise.

The Overlooked Challenge: Charging E-bikes

From our conversations with shared fleet providers, we’ve learned that up to 50% of their income goes into charging the vehicles. This isn't just unsustainable; it's a barrier to profitability. Furthermore, the logistics of charging multiple lithium batteries, particularly within indoor spaces, pose increasing challenges for private users, ranging from safety concerns to practicality issues.

The Demand from Municipalities

Municipalities are vocal about their desire for shared transportation systems. There's a lot of talk centered on EVs, but what we need is a shift towards thinking more about the ecosystem of LEVs. Consider this: 50% of car rides are less than 7.5 km, a distance easily covered by LEVs.

Municipal representatives I engaged with are championing the creation of mobility hubs and the adoption of (e)bikes. Every government official I spoke to (including cities like Rotterdam, Stockholm, Helsingborgh and Amsterdam) acknowledged that it's not only their duty to provide parking and charging infrastructure for LEVs but also a significant incentive to invest and facilitate these amenities. There was unanimous agreement that establishing such infrastructure is a pivotal move towards achieving their ambitions for more sustainable urban environments. Moreover, they recognize that this investment isn't just about supporting green initiatives; it's also a strategy that will yield financial returns.

TILER's Vision for a Sustainable LEV Ecosystem

At TILER, we envision a world where wireless charging stations for e-bikes and LEVs are as ubiquitous as street lights. Our solution is not just about convenience; it's about building a sustainable, efficient, and profitable ecosystem for shared LEV services.

Today's Smart City Fair underscored that our work at TILER is crucial, yet it also reminded us of the challenges ahead. We must persist in steering discussions toward the practical use of LEVs and the vital infrastructure they demand.

Conclusion: A Call for Action

For municipalities, crafting a sustainable network of e-bike Park&Charge infrastructure means less congestion and a cleaner cityscape. For employers, encouraging e-bike commuting translates to less leasing cars and healthier employees. And for fleet providers, sustainable charging solutions promise a leap towards profitability and efficiency. It's time for all to act—by embracing the solutions and technology available. let's team up and make it happen today, not tomorrow. Together we can steer toward a sustainable mobility mix and greener cities. The moment to power up change is now.