What is Micromobility and Why is It Important for Your Fleet?
07/08/2024
10 minutes read
Our Guide to Understanding Micromobility for Fleets
As concerns such as air pollution in cities and global warming become more pressing, businesses must adapt to support a greener approach to urban transport solutions. Electric utility vehicles, or micromobility vehicles, offer a versatile, efficient and sustainable answer to these challenges.
In this guide, we will provide you with an extensive look into how micromobility options can improve your fleet operations, highlighting the unique benefits of these utility vehicles, exploring the opportunities of micromobility across multiple industries and how Northgate’s services can help your business to seamlessly incorporate this into your fleet.
From understanding what micromobility is to discovering how it can enhance your fleet operations, you'll find everything you need to know to make informed decisions for your business in this guide. Join us as we delve into the future of urban transportation and how Northgate's end-to-end services can support your transition to micromobility.
What is micromobility?
Micromobility defines any lightweight mode of transport, usually electric or human-powered, which is designed for short-distance travel in urban areas. A typical use case for micromobility is in last-mile delivery, the final stage of goods or passengers arriving at their final destination.
Why is micromobility important?
With sustainability being a hot talking point in the UK, electric vehicles and micromobility have become integral pieces to the government’s aims to reach net zero by 2050. Transitioning from diesel and petrol to battery power, these green vehicles comply with strict Clean Air Zone (CAZ) and Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) regulations.
Where micromobility options champion that of any standard electric vehicle (EV) are in specific use case situations where light commercial vehicles (LCVs) are not fit for purpose- being able to effectively navigate narrow urban streets, move through traffic congestion and reduce the costs spent on parking spaces in urban areas.
What are the benefits of micromobility for fleets?
Incorporating micromobility into your business’ fleet operations comes with a range of cost-saving and work efficiency benefits. We have listed some of the key benefits below:
Sustainability
With the UK’s 2050 net zero goals set in place, sustainability efforts are more important than ever. In order to reach this goal, the UK aims to fully transition to electric vehicles by 2035 as a way to reduce air pollution in cities.
Managed under our Drive to Zero initiative, Northgate’s micromobility vehicles are fully electric, meaning they are emissions-free - meaning that whilst being efficient on or off the road, your business can also help contribute to a cleaner, healthier environment.
Low running costs
When comparing Internal Combustion Engines (ICE) to electric vehicles (EVs), the running costs are significantly cheaper due to electric vehicle charging costing less than fuel, plus net zero vehicles being ineligible for road tax charges).
Crucially, a key benefit to micromobility vehicles over any standard EV is that they can be used in city areas which don’t allow for light commercial vehicles (LCVs), all whilst not needing to pay ULEZ or CAZ fines.
Road legal
Northgate's urban utility vehicles are N1 road homologated, meaning they meet the legal requirements for UK road use. This certification ensures that the vehicles comply with safety and performance standards, making them a reliable choice for fleet operations.
As a result, businesses can allow for the efficient transport of personnel and goods, as well as improve delivery times, all while maintaining compliance with road safety regulations.
Easily customisable
It’s important for any fleet vehicle for hire to be able to meet the business’ daily needs and requirements to carry out their services. This is why Northgate’s micromobility vehicles come with a wide range of factory body options to ensure your company can efficiently operate as usual.
Our ALKE ATX 340 Dropside can come in the form of refrigerated, tipper, box, cage, dropside or waste collection. For a smaller yet equally versatile option, the Goupil G4 models come in a pick-up, tipper, cage, box, pressure washer, leaf collector or waste collection form.
Designed for narrow spaces
Northgate’s micromobility vehicles are designed for driving through narrow spaces, which means whether it’s on-road or off-road, Northgate’s utility vehicles are perfect for your business’ requirements.
Our Goupil G4 and Goupil G2 Pick-Up models with their 4,383 mm and 4,700 mm turning circles respectively, are ideal vehicles for driving through tight town roads or navigating a warehouse.
How Northgate’s electric urban utility vehicles can help your fleet
Incorporating Northgate’s micromobility options into your fleet can help businesses who regularly require navigating urban areas for their line of work or may need small vehicles to efficiently move around heavy equipment, personnel or any other specifics necessary for your industry’s services.
A misconception which Northgate wishes to correct is that micromobility’s only use case is in last-mile delivery. The wide range of models and bespoke options offered by Northgate means that micromobility and electric utility vehicles can be incorporated into many industries with ease, including but not limited to:
- Airports
- Local authorities
- Grounds and park maintenance
- Event management
- Festivals
- Universities
- Hospitals
- Film sets
- Estate management
- Forestry management
- Holiday parks
When incorporating micromobility into your fleet, choosing Northgate means your company can be provided with complete end-to-end service for fleet solutions. Brett Hillard, Group Partnership Director at Northgate, highlights that Northgate helps companies from a fleet perspective by being “able to provide everything under one roof for our customers”.
This comprehensive approach ensures that all aspects of fleet management are seamlessly integrated, from vehicle hire and maintenance to compliance and operational support, making it easier for businesses to adopt and benefit from micromobility solutions.
Why are Northgate targeting micromobility?
As stated by Brett Hillard, stepping into micromobility hire options ensures Northgate will always be “where our customers need us to be”. Currently, micromobility is used primarily for last-mile delivery solutions, but as highlighted previously, there is far greater potential for micromobility vehicles in other industries including airports and hospitals.
Recognising this potential with micromobility “enables Northgate to provide services to our existing customer base and open up whole new opportunities to work with new customers” whilst helping to contribute to air pollution, sustainability efforts and a greener approach to travel.
Choose Northgate for micromobility solutions for fleets
For incorporating micromobility solutions into your fleet, Northgate offers a complete end-to-end service package meaning you are supported throughout. Choosing Northgate means reliable, efficient, and seamless integration of micromobility into your business.
