Micromobility giant Lime has cut carbon emissions by almost 60% since 2019, according to its 2023 Carbon Inventory results.
Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions are included in this figure with the operator being one of the few micromobility companies to have net zero carbon targets across these scopes validated in line with the Paris Climate Accord.
The findings come weeks after Lime announced a record-setting year for 2023 with 156 million trips completed across its service. Despite the business growing by 32% since the previous year, the operator still cut emissions by 16.3%.
“Our investment in an in-house hardware team which has designed purpose built, modular, and longer lasting vehicles means we’ve been able to grow our fleet and business, even while cutting emissions,” Lime Vice President of Sustainability Andrew Savage told Zag Daily.
There are six key initiatives which Lime said helped it decarbonise including a fleet which is 65% electric.
The operator introduced a battery twice the size of its previous batteries to extend the range and reduce the need for swapping, and it has designed its e-scooters and e-bikes in a module form to enable easy repair of separate parts.
This year, Lime became one of the first to announce its commitment with the World Economic Forum’s ‘Mission Possible Partnership’ which commits to zero emission international shipping, and it now uses electric trucks to transport its new vehicles and parts for use in repairs from ports in North America.
One initiative has seen Lime create a circular second life for damaged batteries, and the operator is one of the few shared electric vehicle companies to power all e-bikes, e-scooters and facilities on 100% renewable energy. Another operator that has used certified renewable energy for operations since it began four years ago is London-based micromobility operator Forest, as outlined in its 2023 sustainability report.
“Lime’s sustainability journey and transformation is a testament to the transformative power of innovation and collective action. Together, both with our teams at Lime and with our riders, we can build a future where transportation is truly carbon-free.”
This year, Lime will invest over $55 million to expand its global bike presence, with more than 30,000 new bikes to be distributed across Europe, North America and Australia.
