Light Future: Why (Micro)Adventures Need a New Kind of Mobility

Transport is the largest emitter of greenhouse gases in France, of which the main share is again attributable to individual mobility. The European Environment Agency estimates that electric vehicles will account for 23% of all new car registrations in 2022. In addition, the share of energy from renewable sources used for transport in the EU increased from less than 2% in 2005 to 10.2% in 2021.

In mobility, the trend is towards decarbonization of products and their production chains. And consumers* are also changing their consumption behaviour, especially for the love of the outdoor lifestyle. No wonder, microadventures are becoming more popular - the answer is efficient and lightweight transportation. We introduce the light vehicle manufacturer Kate and its vision for the future.

• Green Deal and transport targets
• What is micromobility?
• How did Kate come into being?
• Made in France
• How do you reinvent mobility?
• To what extent is the outdoor lifestyle reflected in Kate?
• The wheel continues to turn

With the Green Deal, the European Union is calling for a 90% reduction in emissions by 2050 and 30 million zero-emission cars by 2030. Through a smart, local, safe and accessible transportation system, brands like Kate™ are committed to this goal. E-mobility for public and private transport is at the forefront of available additional features, such as energy management and entertainment. There are more and more solutions to get around close to home. Drivers in 2030 will use a modern, adaptable, quiet and very flexible means of transportation. If developed and used properly, sustainable mobility will take us far.

With a range of 150 km and LFP (lithium iron phosphate) battery technology, the Kate brand offers 5,000 battery cycles performance in its vehicles. We spoke with Michaela Garito, marketing and brand manager at Kate Tech, on the topic of micromobility and their new product, an adventure electric car.

"In 2023, everyday mobility (trips of less than 80 km) accounts for 98% of French people's trips and relies on cars for 84%. These short trips cause 11% of greenhouse gases from private transport. Based on this, Kate wants to accelerate the sustainable transition to a mode of transport that meets users' expectations and is environmentally friendly. Kate sees the car of the future - the car for daily trips - as light, clean, economical and safe. We believe that large SUVs, whether internal combustion engine or electric, will not be the future of daily mobility. We offer a micromobility solution that fits harmoniously into urban and rural traffic flows and respects the space and speed of individual road users*."

"The car of tomorrow will ensure the decarbonization of the automotive industry. But its success will be ensured by the fact that it will be cheaper to produce, use and maintain than a conventional car." - Matthias Goldenberg, CEO and co-founder of Kate

"Kate was founded in 2022 by Thibaud Elzière, Matthias Goldenberg and Pierre Escrieut. The brand is part of a decisive turnaround in daily mobility - with a vision to create lightweight electric vehicles made in France that meet today's challenges in terms of sustainability and responsibility. The name "Kate" comes from "Kei Car" (Japanese: 軽自動車), which refers to the microcars originally developed in Japan in the 1950s. These microcars make up a large portion of the cars registered in Japan and are popular for their convenience and affordability. Kate envisions everyday mobility based on lightweight vehicles that are suitable for short trips. This accounts for a large portion of trips in France. These vehicles are designed to be environmentally friendly and meet the needs of users."

"One of Kate's first major actions was to acquire NOSMOKE™. This is a French manufacturer of compact SUVs from the 1960s that have converted to electric propulsion. NOSMOKE was founded in 2012, and Kate bought the company to acquire its industrial know-how and benefit from its income line. In our environment, manufacturing cars in France in our own factory is a strong statement. It ensures local production, jobs in the region and control over the value chain. It is a way to guarantee quality, reduce the CO₂ footprint of transporting goods, and support the local economy. For us, this is not an adventure, but a conviction. If we want to act more responsibly, we need to focus on the national or even European level, controlling our value chain while pushing our principles for responsible production. We believe in responsible production: we only produce what is already sold. Through this pre-order approach, we eliminate the risk of overstocking."

"With our know-how and French expertise, we follow the philosophy: 'Think global, act local'."

"At Kate, our vision of mobility is very much influenced by the current numbers. The majority of vehicles sold today are oversized compared to these needs. It is this finding that reinforces our belief that it is critical to rethink mobility. We have a critical role to play in this transition. We aspire to a world where our ultralight cars, such as the K1 model planned for late 2024, fit naturally into the dynamics of cities and rural areas, both in the present and in the future. We are convinced that by combining lightness, efficiency and innovative design, we will meet the real needs of everyday mobility. Beyond our vision, it is crucial that we join forces with other key players in the industry. That's why I was particularly pleased to participate in IAA Mobility 2023 in Munich. Ten industry leaders*, including high-level managers* and visionary company founders*, all of whom are founding members of the Microcar Coalition, came together. The mood was contagious and it was characterized by our shared commitment. Our unanimous goal? To work together to make electric microcars the first choice for sustainable mobility, in both urban and rural areas."

"With the collective power of the Microcar Coalition and our determination, we want to redefine mobility, not just for today, but more importantly, for tomorrow."

"The biggest appeal of our Kate Original model is its openness to the outside, embodying an outdoor lifestyle and reminiscent of a beach car. Our customers are looking for an experience similar to that of a convertible: feeling the wind in their hair and being in tune with their surroundings. Kate's ease of use, free of unnecessary gimmicks, reinforces this authentic and enjoyable experience. It's a real return to the roots, an invitation to merge with the environment while having fun and just being."

The challenges facing mass transit are many. Technically, the first is to reduce the vulnerability of transport, which is heavily dependent on hydrocarbons. Air pollution must be reduced - here, decarbonization or the zero-zero target for 2030 contribute to achieving goals defined by science. In the transport sector, most EU countries are approaching the 10% target for the share of energy from renewable sources. Sweden leads the way with almost 35%, while Germany and France reach almost 10%. It is also about increasing the comfort of short-distance travel for both users and residents. And finally, it's about making micro-adventures possible in the long term through lightweight and flexible vehicles. With its modern retro charm and the ability to customize it to the owner's personality, the Kate Original has already attracted high-end fashion brands such as Gucci and Isabel Marant. Voited ™ is the first outdoor brand to use the Kate Original for an advertising campaign tailored to its target group.