Kite Mobility, a Toronto-based startup, is launching electric vehicle (EV) hubs across apartment condos and residential homes in Canada and the United States. The company aims to reduce traffic congestion by centralizing access to EVs, targeting older residents with reliable Volvo XC40 models, and replacing personal vehicles with its mobility hubs.
Kite Mobility, a Toronto-based startup, is launching electric vehicle (EV) hubs across apartment condos and residential homes in Canada and the United States.
Centralizing Access to Electric Vehicles
Reducing Traffic Congestion
By centralizing access to EVs, Kite Mobility hopes to bring down traffic congestion in cities. The startup’s founder, Scott MacWilliam, notes that most cars are only used for a short period each day, leaving them parked for the majority of the time. This business proposition “doesn’t make sense,” according to MacWilliam.
Targeting Older Residents
Kite Mobility is also targeting older residents with its EV hubs. In settings like retirement homes where car usage is less frequent, the startup decided not to use the flashier Tesla but instead provide the reliable Volvo XC40. The benefits of Kite’s program are more substantial in these settings, according to MacWilliam.
Replacing Personal Vehicles
MacWilliam aims to replace personal vehicles with Kite Mobility’s EV hubs. He believes that this will change or facilitate the way buildings are built going forward, cutting out costs and offering a clear benefit to end-users. The startup has already seen 25 percent of building residents use its EV hub at least twice.
Expanding Operations
Kite Mobility plans to expand its operations within and outside Canada in the coming years. The company raised $3.5 million from investors last year and aims to raise additional capital going forward. MacWilliam hopes that every new building going forward will have a mobility hub, ideally a Kite Mobility hub.
Promotional Programs
Kite Mobility is offering free access to its fleet of EVs for users who give up their personal vehicles. This promotion is expected to last for six months to a year. After this period, users will have the choice to begin paying for a monthly subscription in the $200 to $400 range.
User Feedback and Updates
Benefits of Kite’s Program
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Saves real estate developers money on parking infrastructure, as a singular parking spot costs around $100,000 to develop
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Offers a new model for sustainable transportation in major cities worldwide
Tailoring Transportation Offerings to Demographics
Addressing Barriers for Older Residents
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The startup’s app is a significant barrier for older residents without smartphones
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Kite provides assistance in operating EVs and updates its app based on user feedback, such as adding a reservation feature to book vehicles ahead of time
