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About the Episode:
About a third of global carbon emissions come from transportation, with most generated by private vehicles. Cities face a critical challenge: the “last mile” problem—how to efficiently connect people from transit hubs, like bus and train stations, to their homes or workplaces. When public transit falls short, commuters often turn to cars, increasing traffic, pollution, and emissions. Lime, a leader in micro-mobility, tackles this gap with e-bikes and e-scooters, offering a sustainable alternative for these short, essential urban trips. With over 500 million rides completed—covering more than a billion kilometers—Lime demonstrates how small shifts in behavior can make a big impact on decarbonization.
Nico met with Andrew Savage, co-founder and VP of Sustainability of Lime, during a visit to Savage’s hometown of Burlington, VT. Andrew draws from a career that spans solar energy, policy work, and government relations. Before joining Lime, Savage was a key figure at AllEarth Renewables, helping advance solar energy adoption in Vermont. He also served on political campaigns, advised mayors, and worked closely with Capitol Hill on policy initiatives. His deep expertise in environmental policy gave Savage a unique skillset to help steer Lime’s growth into 280 markets while keeping on pace with the company’s goal of net zero by 2030.
Curious how a career can span multiple sectors and still hold a true-north of decarbonizing the grid? Interested to learn how e-mobility is helping us achieve our carbon-free future?
Expect to learn:
Why early bike-share programs failed—and how Lime’s dockless model offers a better solution
How Lime recycles batteries and repurposes them for second-life uses
What carbon-reduction strategies keep Lime on track to meet its 2030 net-zero goal
How Lime uses rider data to help cities redesign streets and improve safety
NOTEWORTHY QUOTEs:
“We need to decarbonize the grid and we need to have electric mobility, and with the two of them, then you can have fully decarbonized transportation.”
“About a third of all carbon emissions are transportation based, and the majority of those emissions are private vehicles. Our hope is to help develop urban centers and urban environments where mobility can be completely carbon free.”
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ABOUT THE HOST OF SUNCAST:
Nico Johnson is the creator and host of SunCast, consistently rated a top solar podcast in the clean energy sector. The content of the show is geared towards listeners looking for insights on where the markets are headed, how to position themselves or their companies, and what today's market leaders do to stay ahead of the pack.
Nico is an Investor, Executive Coach, and 16-year veteran of the solar industry, having led development in the US and Latin America for global companies like Trina Solar and Conergy.
You can connect with Nico Johnson on Twitter, LinkedIn or email.
If you’ve been second-guessing your work decisions or maybe trying to reconsider how you "fit" in the renewable energy industry -> grab 15 minutes on Nico's calendar and discuss whether having him as Your personal coach might be the right next step.