🚋 Mobility Futures #27

Happy Monday 👋

China's exports of new energy buses increased by 28% in 2024, reaching 15,444 units, reflecting rising global demand for zero-emission transport. Ehang's autonomous air taxi received certification following a successful demonstration flight in Shanghai, advancing eVTOL innovation. In the UK, HS2 Ltd launched its seventh Innovation Accelerator program to enhance railway technology and service reliability for the high-speed rail project. China announced plans for a maritime technology innovation center to develop green propulsion systems and smart shipping solutions. Meanwhile, Zypp Electric, an Indian electric mobility startup raised $6.8M in Series C funding, adding to the $15M raised earlier in 2024.

What's new?

HolonIQ’s new Green Skills Map and Workforce section reveal industry-wide sustainability skills and jobs, as well as workforce development initiatives, supporting upskilling for a sustainable economy.

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🚘 Ground Mobility

🚌 China's New Energy Bus Exports Surge. China's exports of new energy buses grew by 28% in 2024, reaching 15,444 units over 3.5 meters in length. This growth reflects the increasing global demand for zero-emission transportation solutions.

🚗 Subaru and Toyota co-develop new electric SUV. Subaru and Toyota announced a partnership to co-develop a new electric SUV that will be launched in the US, Europe, and Japan in 2026, aiming to gain a larger share of the global electric vehicle market.

🚗 VinFast to enter the Indian EV market with premium SUVs. Vietnamese EV maker VinFast will enter the Indian market with two premium electric SUVs, competing with local player Mahindra & Mahindra and Chinese company BYD.

🛬 Aviation

✈️ Ehang's autonomous air taxi receives certification. In Shanghai, the Chinese company Ehang completed a demonstration flight of its pilotless passenger-carrying eVTOL aircraft, an autonomous air taxi.

✈️ ePlane's eVTOL Aircraft Receives Certification in India. ePlane, an Indian aviation company, received type certification from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for its e200X eVTOL aircraft. The company plans to launch services by 2026, aiming to transport over 500,000 people daily within three years.

🚁 India Hosts Urban Air Mobility Expo 2025. The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) launched the Urban Air Mobility Expo 2025, an event focused on sustainable transport solutions, showcasing cutting-edge advancements in eVTOL technologies and infrastructure development.

🚋 Rail

🚅 HS2 Launches Innovation Program for Rail Technology. HS2 Ltd, the company behind the HS2 high-speed rail project in the UK, launched its seventh Innovation Accelerator program to advance railway technology for the construction of the HS2 line and improve future train service reliability.

🚆 Adelaide Metro Completes Hybrid Rail Fleet Conversion. The South Australian Government converted its entire Adelaide Metro rail fleet to hybrid diesel railcars to make public transportation more environmentally friendly.

🚇 Alstom Wins $229M Contract for Metro Trains in Lille. Alstom, a French mobility company, secured a contract worth $229M to supply 15 additional rubber-tired automatic metro trains to the city of Lille in France.

🚢 Marine

🚢 China Invests in Maritime Technology. China plans to establish a technology innovation center focused on developing waterborne transport equipment to drive advancements in green propulsion systems and smart shipping solutions.

🚢 SulNox Wins Patent for Ship Waste Treatment. SulNox, a company focused on environmental solutions, secured a patent for treating ship waste or 'slops', paving the way for more sustainable waste management practices in the maritime industry.

✈️ Emirates Post and FedEx Partner for Shipping Services. Emirates Post and FedEx signed a memorandum of understanding to offer comprehensive international shipping services at postal branches in the UAE.

🛠️ Skills and Workforce

HolonIQ is now tracking reskilling and upskilling initiatives critical in bridging workforce gaps. Impact industries are rapidly evolving, fueled by technological advancements, decarbonization, geopolitical dynamics, and socio-economic factors. To that extent, these sectors require considerable workforce/professional development initiatives to enhance workers' capabilities, boost economic growth, and promote social well-being. Read on for this week’s insights, and discover more in HolonIQ's latest Skills newsletter.

🍃 US Department of Energy Funds Non-Profits to Develop Clean Energy Workforce. The US Department of Energy’s Clean Energy Careers for All (CEC4A) program awarded up to $300,000 to seven non-profits promoting clean energy careers through STEM education, internships, and mentorship. Key initiatives include green building workshops (California Green Building Council), Zero Emission Vehicle training (EVHybridNoire), and geothermal virtual reality training (New Mexico Institute of Mining & Technology). Top performers may receive an additional $750,000 in Phase 2 funding.

📈 UNICEF and Muslim World League Launch $1.5M Green Skills Program in Pakistan. UNICEF and the Muslim World League, supported by the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), have launched a Green Skills training program in Pakistan to equip disadvantaged youth with sustainable development and digital skills. The initiative enhances employability in green sectors, building on a 14-year partnership between UNICEF and the Muslim World League. Aligned with UNICEF’s mission, it promotes education, child welfare, and economic growth, while SIFC ensures effective implementation to address youth unemployment and bridge critical skills gaps.

🌱 Cardiff Council Unveils Ambitious Green Development Plan for 2036. Cardiff Council's new “Deposit Plan” aims to create over 32,000 jobs by 2036, aligning with the city’s One Planet Strategy. The plan emphasizes sustainable growth, including low-carbon developments, energy-efficient buildings, and renewable energy expansion. It supports diverse employment opportunities by protecting existing sites and introducing new hubs in Cardiff Central Zone, Roath Basin, and other strategic areas. The initiative also prioritizes sustainable transport, active travel, biodiversity, and ecosystem resilience.

HolonIQ has launched the Green Skills Map, an open-source framework initiated for cataloging, evaluating, and contextualizing the different components of the rapidly expanding field of green jobs. This comprehensive taxonomy will serve as a resource for understanding the full spectrum and complexity of green skills required across various sectors, thereby enabling a cohesive approach toward achieving net zero and decarbonizing the global economy. Green Skills Map spans 11 areas, 54 sub-areas, and 243 green skills clusters. A snippet of the map covering four areas has been included above. Explore the full map on greenskills.org.

💰 Deals of the Week

💰 Zypp Electric Raises Series C Funding. Zypp Electric, an Indian electric mobility startup, secured $6.8M  in a Series C funding round. This round adds to the $15M raised in May 2024, led by Japanese company ENEOS and supported by existing investors like 9Unicorns, IAN Fund, and Venture Catalysts.

🚚 Nowlun Raises $1.7M Seed Funding. Nowlun, an online freight forwarding platform founded in 2021, secured $1.7M seed funding to accelerate growth and enhance its logistics platform.

🚢 MOL Acquires Majority Stake in Gearbulk. Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), a Japanese transportation company, acquired a 72% stake in Gearbulk, a dry bulk carrier company, expanding its fleet.

🚗 Bain Capital Acquires Stake in Indian Auto Parts Maker. Bain Capital, a leading private equity firm, acquired a minority stake in an Indian automotive components manufacturer, highlighting its focus on high-growth sectors in India's automotive supply chain.

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