Segway Partners with Metro Mobility to Offer ChargeLock™ Stations — Easy to Use, Low-Cost, Reliable Charging for Shared E-bikes and Scooters
Joint Press Release
June 2023 – Segway, the global leader in smart mobility and Metro Mobility, a U.S. startup specializing in charging and locking solutions are excited to announce a partnership to offer ChargeLock™ stations for use with Segway shared vehicles. The ChargeLock station features a patent-pending cable design to incorporate charging and locking in a single connector, providing a simple and reliable station at a fraction of the cost of competing docking solutions. The secure but flexible cables enable scooters, e-bikes, and future Light Electric Vehicle (LEV) designs to share the same stations and provide an easy user experience that avoids the pitfalls of traditional docking.
Fleet operators can order ChargeLock stations and compatible e-bikes and scooters directly from Segway, and can easily retrofit existing fleets of Segway shared vehicles with ChargeLock modules for station compatibility. Vehicles can be equipped with a built-in cable lock or “lock-to” that utilizes the same ChargeLock port to allow users to secure the vehicles to bike racks or poles while away from a station.
The introduction of ChargeLock comes at the ideal time for an industry facing increasing regulations and an urgent need for improved unit economics. Operators deal with substantial overhead costs associated with charging their fleets, and the dockless rental model which allows users to leave vehicles wherever they choose, can sometimes result in vehicles blocking sidewalks, being thrown into rivers, and angering residents and lawmakers. With the recent ban of dockless scooters in Paris and more cities mandating docks and designated parking areas for micromobility, ChargeLock stations offer an affordable solution to meet these regulations, organize fleets, and lower operational costs.
ChargeLock offers a number of advantages over other docking solutions on the market. Unlike traditional docks that are built for a single vehicle type, ChargeLock’s multi-purpose cables can accommodate any vehicle design. The flexible cables create an easier and more reliable user experience than traditional docks where aligning the vehicle with the locking mechanism can be challenging. Simply plugging the ChargeLock cable into the vehicle will end the rental, lock the vehicle to the station, and begin charging. The simple design of ChargeLock also allows for extremely low-cost stations that can be installed easily and scaled quickly. With just 4 touch points on the ground, ChargeLock stations can be installed on any surface including grass or gravel and do not require a flat poured concrete pad.
“ChargeLock stations cost a fraction of other charging stations because we don’t include a redundant kiosk or terminal. Everyone has a smart phone in their pocket, so there is no need. Just like a Tesla Supercharger station that does not require a kiosk, our ChargeLock stations don’t have them either. And that means big savings!” said Metro Mobility co-founder David Montague.
“We are thrilled to add ChargeLock™ stations to our broad portfolio of products for the shared vehicle industry,” added Tony Ho, VP of Robotics & Micromobility Business Development at Segway. “As the micromobilty landscape evolves, our fleet customers are increasingly in need of locking and charging solutions, and with ChargeLock’s disruptive pricing and exceptional user experience, the system will no doubt revolutionize the industry.”
ChargeLock stations with compatible Segway vehicles offer a path toward sustainability for the micromobility industry. The added security of locking substantially increases vehicle life by reducing vandalism and theft, and vehicles that are always charging when not in use eliminate the need for the resource heavy operations normally required to charge a shared fleet. Segway and Metro Mobility are paving the way for a more efficient, user-friendly, and economically viable future.
About Segway Commercial
At Segway Commercial, we aim to make shared micro-mobility more accessible and convenient for everyone. As a global leader in providing sharing products and solutions that power millions of micro-mobility vehicles around the world, we are committed to innovating and delivering high-quality products to help operators achieve their business objectives while prioritizing rider safety and community well-being.
For more information, please visit b2b.segway.com
About Metro Mobility
Metro Mobility, LLC is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA and is dedicated to providing the commuting solutions of the future through smart, connected, data driven enterprises. Our patent-pending ChargeLock™ stations are part of a portfolio of transportation technologies that includes hardware, software, user apps, and fleet management solutions. We are redesigning the way people travel in and around metropolitan areas.
To learn more about Metro Mobility, please visit metromobility.io
Contact Segway:
Ashley Thomas
Segway, Inc.
ashley.thomas@segway.com
Contact Metro Mobility :
Ryan Walas
Metro Mobility, LLC
+1-617-491-7200 x202
rwalas@metromobility.io
