E.Go aims for global EV franchise

A German start-up called E.Go is using 5G along with other digital technology and a new EV chassis to develop a global franchise.

It’s planning to produce about 10,000 to 30,000 of its four-seater E.Go Life annually from a factory near Aachen, along with around 15,000 of its E.Go Mover 15 passenger electric shuttle buses annually.

E.Go Mobile AG was founded by its chief executive officer professor Dr Gunther Schuh in 2015 to make EVs using the RWTH Aachen University campus facilities with access to 360 technology companies.

It has also developed an E.Go Kart four-wheel pedal assist urban transport vehicle based on electric bikes and powered by a 250W mid-drive motor with a 25km/h top speed. A NuVinci hub system automatically adapts the speed and cycling frequency without the need for gear changing.

A 5G network allows robots to assemble E.Go vehicles and may also be used for autonomous vehicles (AVs).

The E.Go Mover, for instance, is expected to operate in a highly automated manner in future with test operations due to start at the end of 2019 at the Aachen campus and in Friedrichshafen.

Developed by E.GO Moove GmbH, the Mover is expected to improve the quality and performance of existing public transport systems and be available for private and commercial transport tasks, able to provide an on-demand offer in shuttle mode.

The electric bus can travel up to 10 hours in the city centre without recharging and E.Go says it will mass-produced at its Aachen Plant 3 from 2020, with test vehicles available to cities and mobility providers.