Comments Off on QWIC makes the Top 250 Growth Company and FD Gazelle 2021 lists
E-bike manufacturer and LEVA-EU member QWIC is proud to announce that it has been awarded as both a Top 250 Growth Company, and FD Gazelle 2021. Both prizes are awarded to the fastest growing companies in the Netherlands.
The Financieele Dagblad has awarded QWIC for the second time with an FD Gazellen Award. The FD Gazellen Awards are presented to the fastest growing companies in the Netherlands, with QWIC being honoured in the western region, and large categories. Criteria include a turnover growth in the previous three years of at least 20%, with the last year closing at a profit. The official award ceremony will take place on November 25.
QWIC is also included in the Top 250 Growth Companies 2021. The Top 250 Growth Companies is based on the ScaleUp Dashboard of the Rotterdam School of Management (RSM), and the Erasmus Center for Entrepreneurship (ECE), and is drafted in collaboration with nlgroent. The list is an overview of companies (scale-ups) with a minimum of 10 FTE (Full-Time Equivalent) and/or a turnover of at least 5 million euros. These companies realized an annual growth of at least 20% in FTE and/or turnover for three consecutive years.
Not only in terms of turnover, the QWIC team has also expanded considerably in recent years. Since January this year, QWIC has increased by 38 FTE. The team now consists of about 140 employees. The 250 growth companies are an important growth and innovation engine for the Dutch economy, and collectively, they are responsible for creating +30,000 jobs.
The knowledge centre for bicycle policy for the Dutch governments, CROW-Fietsberaad, has reported on a study conducted by the Noordwest Hospital Group in Alkmaar that may prove to be a useful counter against anti-ebike sentiment.
Over a one year period, from June 2016, the condition of a total of 834 patients in a level 1 trauma centre was recorded. The sample offered a good divide between the two modes of transport in question, with 379 ebike and 455 regular bicycle users.
It was found that the severity of the brain injury was comparable across both groups, where eight victims of an ebike accident and seven victims of a classic bicycle resulted in severe, traumatic brain injury. This small sampling indicates that an e-bike accident does not necessarily lead to more serious head injuries than that of an accident when riding a regular bicycle.
While the type of bicycle does not appear to be a contributing factor in the level of the injury, it was found that brain damage was more likely if the speed was higher: 26-45 km/h, or if there was alcohol in the system, or use of anticoagulants.
A proposed federal tax credit for new electric bike purchases has passed the most recent round in Congress, with the especially positive news being that, following its reduction by the House of Representatives to 15 percent, the credit rate is back to 30 percent.
Ebikes are an invaluable tool in improving not only the health of our planet, but also the general population, and such an incentive could have a real impact on the uptake of electric powered bicycles in the United States. In an country where mass adoption of ebikes is still struggling, such a move has the potential to make a real impact on the population, and on related infrastructure.
All three ebike classes are included as eligible in the incentive, up to a wattage of 750, and with the 30 percent refund capped at $1,500. It is worth noting, that as a fully refundable tax credit, lower-income individuals would be to claim it
As for further details, the proposal would not be applicable to ebikes costing over $8,000, and the 30 percent credit is gradually reduced once the bicycles costs more than $5,000. It is also a means-tested concept, therefore according to tax status, the credit would begin phasing out $200 for every $1,000 spent on the purchase for individuals who earn $75,000, heads of household earning $112,500, and married couples who file jointly earning $150,000.
This would be a welcome move for climate and active mobility campaigners. Indeed, the cause of protecting both our environment and our health naturally go hand in had. With ebikes costing thousands of dollars as standard, such incentives can help to make real progress in these areas and change lives. In reporting on the credit, Verge noted that a recent study found that if 15 percent of car trips were made by e-bike, carbon emissions would drop by 12 percent.
Further benefits found within the lengthy, 1,600 page bill may be welcome news to cyclists, with pre-tax commuter benefits for those who cycle to work or use bikes shares, similar to those which exist for people using park-and-ride or public transit. The proposed bicycle benefit would allow cyclists to get up to 30 percent of the parking benefit — currently equivalent to $81 a month, less than $1,000 a year.
Comments Off on Vässla expands to Berlin with subscription service
Swedish start-up and LEVA-EU member, Vässla, is expanding into the Berlin market and with its latest product, the Vässla Bike, marking another milestone in Electromobility.
The stand-out feature of the Vässla Bike is that it can be considered a completely new vehicle category, treading the line between e-bikes and e-scooters. With this vehicle, Vässla opens new doors to urban micromobility in Berlin, and offers a serious alternative to the car. Users can take advantage of a subscription model, the “Vässla Club”, an all-round premium service for everyone – day and night.
The Vässla Bike as an urban alternative to the car in Berlin
Vässla’s basic idea is that cars will become less and less important in European cities in the future. The concept of Berlin as an emission-free city in the heart of Europe is particularly exciting for the Swedish company. Because the German capital is considered to be a pioneer of sustainable micromobility, and a tech and innovation hub for promising mobility start-ups. A number of sharing providers have already conquered the Berlin market in recent years and created a new concept of urban mobility. However, Vässla still sees a gap between the different means of transport and lifestyles.
“The fact that our Vässla bikes – unlike most e-scooters – always only have one owner for a period of time, and are being serviced to an all-around high-quality standard, helps the user to easily get familiar with their bike and the associated, sustainable lifestyle. We see our brand as an urban tribe and an important part of the e-mobility scene that makes Berlin a more liveable city. Freedom, happiness, and exclusivity are our are self-determind brand messages”, says Hannes Ahbe, General Manager of Vässla in Germany.
Abhe, who originally comes from the fintech sector, where he already worked with a company who successfully expanded into Germany, moved to Vässla in 2019 and has been in charge since then, bringing great passion to the expansion and positioning of the company in this country. In this, he works closely with Rickard Bröms, CEO of Vässla.
“We have chosen Berlin as the starting point for our subscription model in Germany for two Reasons. First, the progressive atmosphere that the city exudes fits like a glove with the Vässla brand. Second, Berlin is a growing city with increasing traffic problems that need to be addressed. Vässla is here to meet the demand of the people of Berlin and to offer an exclusive alternative to the car ”, says Rickard Bröms.
New vehicle category convinces investors
Anyone who might declare the Vässla bike a “new electric scooter” is not doing it justice. Because it is somewhat an e-moped, and in between e-bikes and e-scooters, surpassing the scooter with significantly higher range. As a result, the Vässla Bike sets a new micromobility standard. The start-up has already convinced a large number of investors with this concept. In the last Capital round in the middle of this year, Vässla has already raised 10 million euros in capital to realize its vision of sustainable mobility made in Sweden.
Renting instead of buying – Vässla users are part of a sustainable premium community
Membership of the Vässla Club comes via a sharing app, with a fleet management function that gives users access to their new Vässla bike. Club members can choose between two different subscription models: “Urban Pro”, at least one six-month subscription for 79 euros per month, or “Urban Flex”, a monthly subscription for 79 euros per month and an additional 50 euros setup fee.
In addition to insurance and an all-round service guarantee, club members also have a helmet, a lock, and the Vässla bike will be delivered directly to your home. This is where the bike is usually used stowed away, which counteracts unnecessary cluttering of sidewalks and residential entrances.
About Vässla
Vässla was founded in 2017 by CEO Rickard Bröms in Stockholm. The Swedish start-up offers urban dwellers innovative micromobility solutions for urban medium-haul routes. Rickard Bröms and his Chief Developer Prof. Uwe Hager, understand mobility as a wide range of possibilities for movement in urban space. The Vässla Bike developed by the team creates its own category. The Vässla Bike is designed with the shape of an e-bike and the casualness of a scooter, specially aimed at progressive cityfolk. The purchase is linked to an exclusive subscription model, and a first class service is guaranteed to the customer. More information at www.vassla.com.
Comments Off on Provomec upgrades battery assembly, e-bike display and controls
Updates from LEVA-EU member, Promovec:
New Battery Line
Provomec has a new production line enabling the brand to produce battery packs with larger cell format (21700), offering more charge cycles and more energy per volume. This is expected to begin running in October 2021. View the photos on LinkedIn here.
Minimalistic e-bike display and controls
Provomec’s new Smart Grip has integrated display and controls, significantly increasing safety whilst cycling, receiving a Eurobike award for its patented design.
“It is an advanced grip with buttons and a display integrated into the left handle,” explains Promovec spokeswomen Monika Figen at Eurobike. “The grip shows user interactions in the display and has haptic feedback when pressing the buttons.”
