There are more solutions than obstacles, Nicolas Zart
Three Weeks Since MOVE America: A Reflection on Electric Mobility
It has been three weeks since MOVE America in Austin, Texas, and the feedback, kudos, and discussions continue to resonate. Personally, this event holds significant meaning for me, marking my 20th year of interest in electric mobility and my 17th year as a consultant and journalist in the electric vehicle (EV) industry, including the last ten years focused on Advanced Air Mobility (AAM).
Particularly, a warm thank you to the MOVE America team for inviting me to moderating three fantastic panels and for a great event!
MOVE America, It’s Already Going!
MOVE America: It’s Already Going!
Twenty years ago, the leading name in electric mobility was the Alt Car Expo in Santa Monica, California, where a diverse array of inventors and brave startups showcased their innovative concepts. Among them was Rick Woodbury, presenting the remarkable Tango from his company, Commuter Car. The Tango was adopted by none other than George Clooney who used it to get to the studios faster than with a car in os Angeles traffic. And if you see the lane-splitting car, you can get an idea as to why. It was one of the very first EVs I experienced and only three left such an impression on me.
This unique vehicle garnered attention when George Clooney adopted it, enabling him to navigate Los Angeles traffic more efficiently. Experiencing the Tango was one of the few EVs that left a lasting impression on me.
At MOVE America, I witnessed the next generation of the EV ecosystem, from charging stations to fleet management solutions, alongside industry giants such as Deloitte & Touche, IBM, and Tata Group.
KemPower, The Europeans Are Coming
Several European companies are beginning to establish a presence in the U.S. market, and one that particularly caught my attention for its AAM potential is KemPower. They showcased a fully redundant and stackable charging station module, and we are currently in preliminary discussions to explore how their technology can scale to meet the high power demands of AAM, where megawatts and amps are the norm.
Electric Air Mobility Hosts and Moderates Panels
We had the honor of hosting and moderating three insightful panels at MOVE America. The first panel focused on Complementing the Existing Public Transportation System, featuring Dan Dalton, Vice President of Global Partnerships at Wisk Aero, and Mitchell Davies, City of Sugar Land. This discussion was particularly engaging as it highlighted the current field testing of AAM. Wisk and the City of Sugar Land are collaboratively building a vertiport at their airport, with Mitch’s enthusiasm exemplifying the rare commitment many secondary airports have toward AAM.
The next panel was: eVTOL & drone delivery: solving the last mile problem, with Alexandre Zaramela, CEO, Moya Aero. Alexandre’s infectious enthusiasm is palpable; with extensive experience in aviation, including work on an electric airplane in 2013, he is now ready to launch a drone system poised to revolutionize last-mile logistics. Joined by our partner Clifford Cruz, CEO of SkyWay, we discussed the integration of drone and passenger eVTOLs into daily operations, emphasizing the need for judicious use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the complex realm of air traffic management (ATM) and the critical role of human oversight.
The final panel, titled Commercialization and Partnerships: How eVTOL is Scaling Up, featured Hamid Hamidi, CEO and Founder of Limosa, an eVTOL company specializing in air ambulance and alternative energy solutions. He was joined by Matt Chasen, Founder & CEO of LIFT Aircraft, who is developing the single-passenger eVTOL known as HEXA, which aims for certification under Part 103 for conventional aircraft. The HEXA targets the considerable inefficiencies of traditional vehicles, recognizing that 80% of trips are under 15 minutes, often with cars idling. We discussed the potential for the HEXA to significantly reduce travel time and improve efficiency.
The panel concluded with Matthew Broffman, Head of Partnerships and Public Affairs, Americas, Lilium. The German eVTOL manufacturer introduced its bold ducted rotor design, the Lilium Jet, which aims to function both as an eVTOL and an electric conventional takeoff and landing (eCTOL) aircraft, targeting regional air mobility solutions.
NetZero Dinner and Friends
Hosted by the fantastic Lindsay Warren from NetZero Revolution, many of us gathered the night before the event to discuss industry trends and enjoy dinner together. It was inspiring to reconnect with old friends—some of whom I have known for over five years—and witness the remarkable progress they have made in the electric mobility sector. The conversations reflected how deeply embedded the EV industry has become, dispelling the old myths that EVs couldn’t tackle steep inclines.
As we shared our experiences, it was evident that the commitment to innovation and sustainability in this field has only grown stronger. The evening was a reminder of the collective passion that drives us all forward, and it was heartening to see how each individual and company is contributing to a more sustainable future.
With laughter, insights, and shared goals, the dinner reinforced the notion that while challenges remain, the electric mobility community is united in its mission to revolutionize transportation. Together, we are proving that the journey of electric vehicles is not just about overcoming obstacles but about forging new paths and embracing the future.